The NEAT Blog: Field Updates, Intersections & Staff Stories
Keep up with Theneat as our volunteer network answers urgent legislative battles, advocates for a more balanced judiciary, and honors the supporters who drive our LGBTQ+ justice work.
NEAT Speaks Out for Trans Youth in Montana
Posted 1/25/2021 · 0 Comments
Jan 27 update: Victory! The Montana House narrowly rejected HB113, protecting transgender young people's access to appropriate, gender-affirming medical care.
Jan 26 update: Unfortunately, the anti-trans House Bill 113 passed the House. NEAT is continuing to work alongside our local partners to stop it in the Montana Senate.
Just how quickly can NEAT's ready-to-go field operation respond? Within a day of hearing from our Montana partners about two proposed anti-transgender bills, our volunteers were already mobilizing local voters to contact their state legislators and speak out against these harmful measures. These bills are the first in a growing wave of proposed anti-trans legislation nationwide that NEAT is uniquely positioned to take on as lawmakers open their new sessions.
Through NEAT, constituents continue to send a high volume of voicemail and email messages every day, and have done so for weeks. In a state like Montana, with a Republican governor and legislature, few groups on the ground are organized to fight anti-LGBT bills like these — which is exactly why NEAT and our dedicated year-round volunteer army matter so much.
Representative Mallerie Stromswold, so far the only Republican to oppose the bills, told the Montana Free Press she estimated receiving 4,000 calls, emails and texts urging her to vote no. "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 of 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 sent House Bill 112 (Save Women's Sports Act) to the full House of Representatives; if passed, it 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 providing medically appropriate care to trans youth under 18.
As of January 25, both bills now move to a full vote on the House floor. Republican Governor Greg Gianforte, elected in November 2020, has not said whether he would sign the bills if they reach his desk, but he is known for opposing LGBT rights, including past gifts of more than $1 million to leading organizations that oppose them.
In this campaign NEAT supports the local coalition that includes, among others, the Montana Human Rights Network, ACLU Montana, and Montana Women Vote.
Read the Montana Free Press coverage · HB112 bill text · HB113 bill text
Coalition partners: Montana Human Rights Network, ACLU Montana, Montana Women Vote.
Intersections: Balancing the Scales | Prioritizing Judges in the Next Administration
Posted 1/18/2021 · 0 Comments
Intersections spotlights NEAT's work on issues that have traditionally not been seen as LGBTQ+. While these issues are not exclusive to our community, they often disproportionately affect LGBTQ+ people. Explore all our issues here.
The Biden-Harris Administration Must Choose 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 lay out the need for President-Elect Biden to appoint a broad and diverse group of judges at every level. Such appointments would offer 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 "be prepared to nominate demographically and experientially diverse judges with a demonstrated commitment to equal justice." That means not only swearing in judges of diverse races, genders, sexual orientations and more, but also those representing a spectrum of experiences. According to the Cato Institute, federal judges are former prosecutors versus former criminal defense attorneys (including public defenders) at a 4 to 1 ratio. Diversity of experience matters in the judiciary because it lends impartiality and legitimacy, providing critical balanced viewpoints as judges hear cases and make decisions.
Many judges appointed by Trump already had established records against women's rights, people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, consumers, and the environment. Rulings from these judges after confirmation only confirmed those populations' fears. Notably, Trump appointed 50% more judges in 4 years than President Obama did in 8 years, and Trump's appointments are 75% male and 85% white. Rebalancing the scales therefore requires judges who represent the country and reflect its population.
The Judiciary
Perhaps more than any other area of government, the judiciary depends on 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.
Read the Alliance for Justice statement of principles · Cato Institute study · Pew Research analysis
Staff Spotlight: Christine (CO)
Posted 1/14/2021 · 1 Comment
Spotlight highlights the work of NEAT supporters who are the backbone of what we do every day for LGBTQ+ Justice.
- 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!
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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Whether you're new to NEAT or a longtime supporter, the blog is where you can follow our field campaigns as they unfold. Read the latest posts above, browse past months in the archives, or reach out to learn how you can join the volunteer network.