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NEAT Stands Up for Trans Youth in Montana

1/25/2021

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​How powerful is NEAT’s turnkey field operation? Within 24 hours of being informed by our partners** in Montana about two proposed anti-transgender bills, our volunteers were already driving local voters to contact their state legislators to express their opposition to the harmful bills. The bills are the first in a growing list of proposed anti-trans legislation nationwide which NEAT is uniquely prepared to fight as lawmakers start their new sessions.

Through NEAT, constituents continue to leave large numbers of voicemail and email messages every day and have been for the past few weeks. In a state like Montana that has a Republican Governor and Legislature, there are not large numbers of forces on the ground mobilized to fight anti-LGBT bills like these which is why the work of NEAT and our dedicated year-round volunteer army is so critical.

Representative Mallerie Stromswold, the only Republican so far to vote against the bills, was quoted in the Montana Free Press estimating she had received 4,000 calls, emails and texts asking her to vote against. 

“When I got calls from constituents in Montana telling me their stories and letting me know what this experience was actually like, I was dumbfounded,” Stromswold said, referring to the debated health care procedures. “I was like, wow, I’m really uneducated, and I can’t imagine everybody else [on the committee] is all that much more educated, because it is a taboo issue.”


Late last week the Montana House Judiciary Committee advanced House Bill 112 (Save Women’s Sports Act) to the full House of Representatives which, if passed, would bar trans youth from competing on school sports teams that match their gender identity. On Friday, a House committee approved House Bill 113 (Youth Health Protection Act) which would prevent doctors from offering medically appropriate health care to trans youth under 18.

As of January 25, both bills will now advance to a full vote on the House floor. Elected in November 2020, Republican Governor Greg Gianforte has not said if he will sign the bills if they reach his desk, but he is known for his opposition to LGBT rights including past gifts of over $1 million to leading organizations that oppose LGBT rights. 

** In this campaign NEAT is supporting the local coalition that includes (amongst others) Montana Human Rights Network, ACLU Montana, and Montana Women Vote.
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Intersections: Balancing the Scales | Prioritizing Judges in the Next Administration

1/18/2021

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​Intersections highlights NEAT’s work on issues that traditionally have not been seen as LGBTQ+. These issues, while not exclusive to our community, often disproportionately affect LGBTQ+ people. Check out all our issues here.
The Biden-Harris Administration Must Pick Diverse Judges
With the new presidency nearly upon us, NEAT is a proud signatory to the Alliance for Justice’s Statement of Principles: The Biden Administration Must Prioritize Judges. These principles outline the need for President-Elect Biden to appoint a broad and diverse group of judges at all levels. These appointments would provide a critical counterbalance to the Trump Administration and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s aggressive and effective conservative and anti-LGBTQ court-packing strategy.

The Principles
The core principle is that the incoming government must “[b]e prepared to nominate demographically and experientially diverse judges with a demonstrated commitment to equal justice.” This means not just swearing in judges of diverse races, genders, sexual orientations, etc., but also those representing a spectrum of experiences. According to the Cato Institute, there’s a 4 to 1 ratio of federal judges are former prosecutors versus former criminal defense attorneys (including public defenders). Diversity of experience is important in the judiciary because it gives impartiality and legitimacy, providing critical balanced viewpoints as judges hear cases and make decisions.

Many of the judges appointed by Trump already had established records against women’s rights, people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, consumers, and the environment. The rulings from these judges following their confirmation only solidified the fears of these populations. Notably, Trump has appointed 50% more judges in 4 years than President Obama did in 8 years, and Trump’s appointments are 75% male and 85% white. Therefore, it is necessary to rebalance the scales with judges who represent the country and reflect its population.

The Judiciary
Perhaps more than any other area of government, the Judiciary is reliant upon being perceived as fair, balanced, and honest. If judges are viewed as political game pieces, the Third Branch will lose its impartiality and relevance in a working democracy. By blocking President Obama and hyper-activating President Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell may have scored political wins but he has eroded these necessary qualities of the Judiciary. Decisive action is necessary to shore up this damage to our country.

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Staff Spotlight: Christine (CO)

1/14/2021

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​Spotlight showcases the work of NEAT supporters who are the backbone of what we do every day for LGBTQ+ Justice.
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NAME: Christine

PRONOUNS: She/Her/Hers

AGE: 49

STATE: Colorado

Tell us about yourself outside of NEAT! (e.g. work, family, hobbies)
I am a single mother of a hilarious almost 13 year old boy and wrangler of our menagerie which includes a dog, snake, frogs and fish. I am also a lawyer in the juvenile court system representing the best interests of youth who do not have an available or appropriate guardian, as well as the executive director for a small foundation focusing on support of arts and education. Hanging out with my son, reading, outdoor exercise, singing and baking / cake decorating are some things I enjoy. 

What's your connection to LGBTQ+ Justice work?
As a member of the LGBTQ community, an ally of the community and having worked in the justice system with many LGBTQ youth, the connections run deep. I know the issues which affect one underrepresented or disenfranchised group affect all of them, and working on the justice piece will lead to a better society and world for us all. 

What is your staff role(s) at NEAT? What inspired you to get involved?
My primary role has been to run the HelpLine for NEAT for the past three months. The policy director at NEAT is a dear friend, and he made the initial connection for me when Justice Ginsberg passed away and I was looking for a way to help make a difference. 

Share a memory from your work that sticks out in your mind.
One conversation in particular was with an older gentleman from the Northeast who volunteered at least three times per week during the Georgia runoff campaign. He was unfamiliar with the calling system but stuck with it and we had at least two conversations each week about the impact of volunteering and how he had been active as a volunteer for organizations for over 50 years. It was very inspiring!
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What would you say to anyone considering volunteering with NEAT?
Absolutely do it. You will be part of the change in making the world a better place and working with some really fantastic people in the process.
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