Since the inauguration of Trump, the nation has seen an explosion of progressive involvement in politics, ranging from protest marches to phone calls to congressmen.
People have realized that an active role in the policy world is key in achieving their goals around defending human rights, and it's been amazing to witness especially at the state level of government.
Watching so many activists enter the realm of policy advocacy reminds me of my own journey,one that included first learning how to testify forhearingsin the Texas Legislature as a college student in 2013.
I realize this might bea step that many activists have not yet taken in their own states, so my hope is to providean idea of what this process entails and some best practices for success.
Here's a comforting hint: It's easier than you think.
Whether we're planning a protest or testifying at a hearing, I always tell folks that the first step of anything isresearch.
In 2011, I attended a Lobby Day hosted by Equality Texas that taught LGBTQ Texans and their families how to talk to representatives, senators, and their staffers about legislation that impacted the community.
I learned how to use the state legislature's website to look up bills, read them, track them, and find out if there was going to be a hearing over them. All of that information was crucial in preparing me to testify for the first time in 2013.
I had been contacted by Rep. Senfronia Thompson as a student advocate to testify in favor of a bill that banned insurance discrimination for LGBTQ Texans, called HB 226.
At the time it was an issue that was forcingmany LGBTQ Texans to go without healthcare, particularly if they were transgender. Insurance companies in Texas frequently declined to serve transgender people or refused to cover hormone replacement therapy and transition surgery.
Before even stepping foot into the Capitol, I needed to know the context of the bill, as well as:
1. The bill number and author. In this first case, it was HB 226 by Rep. Senfronia Thompson, a longtime ally of LGBTQ Texans.
2. What the bill did. HB 226 added language to Texas Insurance Code that prohibited insurance providers from denying coverage based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. The text of the bill was easy to find on the Texas legislature website.
3. When and where the hearing was taking place. At the time, this information was provided to me by Rep. Thompson's office, but most state legislative websites will post upcoming hearings too.
4. How the hearings proceed. In Texas, most witnesses are given three minutes to testify, and all testimony must start with your name, who you represent (yourself and/or an organization), and your position (for/against) the bill.
5. Who I was speaking to. In this case, the House Insurance Committee, headed by conservative Rep. John Smithee. I was able to look up the membership of the committee and their party affiliation online as well.
6. What our allies were saying about the bill. Equality Texas had talking points and data on their website that gave me a clearer picture of how the bill would impact the LGBTQ community, so I grabbed some of that data for use in my own testimony.
Once I had all the information I needed, it was easier to begin the next step of the process: writing the testimony.
I had a number of options I could use when it came to the writing portion of testifying. Many folks write the entirety of their testimony on paper and practice reading it aloud until they consistently finish within the three-minute mark. Writing the entire testimony out is especially helpful if you plan to submit a written copy to the committee. You will need to make about 20 copies to ensure the members and staff each receive one.
I was in college and had too many essays to write as it was, so I opted for more of an outline, a simple bulleted list of the main points I wanted to say to the committee. I knew myself well enough to know that my speaking would be rushed due to stage fright, so I didn't feel pressured to practice keeping my thoughts contained in the three-minute limit, but I did want to make sure I included the data I'd found and what I felt was important from my perspective.
The most important thing for me to keep in mind was that I was there more than anything to provide my perspective as a young, genderqueer-lesbian student; the data was secondary and could be sprinkled in to back up my concerns.
Legislators want to hear stories much more than they want to hear statistics. Knowing that, I was able to produce a simple list pretty quickly, and felt at least somewhat confident about my content.
This tends to be the part where all of my fellow introverts gulp thickly and wonder why they thought this was a good idea.All I can say there is that I've never regretted testifying, even when I wasn't at the top of my game.
And I was not at the top of my game for that first hearing.
I was ridiculously nervous, clutching my little list for dear life, surrounded by people I perceived as being more important than me. Representative Thompson, the committee members, professional lobbyists, nonprofit leaders, and even faculty from my university were in the room.
I was called up and stumbled my way through introducing myself. I commented that it was my first time testifying and that I was nervous, and to his credit, Chairman Smithee joked that the entire committee was nervous, too. I successfully hit every point on my list, and finished well under three minutes.
I did not count on receiving any questions from the members, and I definitely should have.
A member asked me to stay at the mic, and asked whether I knew if the discrimination transgender people were facing from insurance companies was overt or covert.
Not knowing that I was allowed the option of saying, I don't know, I can find that information for you and send it to you later, I proceeded to blank so hard that I mixed up the definitions of overt and covert, to the amusement of the committee. They were kind about it and thanked me for my testimony.
After the hearing ended, Representative Thompson and some of the university faculty said I'd done a good job, which was surprising to me at the time (I was very hung up on the overt and covert mix-up.), but makes more sense now.
I'd been polite, made my point, and tried to have a meaningful conversation with the committee. I had stage fright, but I was still effective.
Since then, I've lost count of how many times I've testified. I make the bullet point lists in my head now, so I can maximize eye contact with the committee members. I'm always ready for questions, and I don't feel as nervous these days.
Most of the members know me pretty well, and feel comfortable asking me questions or debating with me on the merits of my points, and I match them in that comfort.
I figure if that anxious college kid can make that progression from novice to expert, so can you.
Subscribe to Elite Daily's official newsletter, The Edge, for more stories you don't want to miss.
Ash is a queer public policy advocate in their home state of Texas. When not attempting to destroy bad ideas designed to hurt people, Ash enjoys reading, cuddling their cat Arthur, eating too many breakfast tacos, and asking to pet your dog. Pr ...
See the article here:
Everything You Need To Know About Testifying At Your State's Legislature - Elite Daily
- Bio Identical Hormone replacement therapy "alternative medicine" OMT - June 1st, 2010 [June 1st, 2010]
- Healthbeat - Hormone Replacement Therapy - August 5th, 2010 [August 5th, 2010]
- Does Hormone Replacement Therapy increase breast cancer risks? - August 11th, 2010 [August 11th, 2010]
- Hormone replacement therapy increases risk of cancer - October 20th, 2010 [October 20th, 2010]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy Risky For Women - October 20th, 2010 [October 20th, 2010]
- Can Hormone Replacement Therapy Lead To Breast Cancer? - January 31st, 2011 [January 31st, 2011]
- Women Turning To Holistic Hormone Replacement Therapy - February 18th, 2011 [February 18th, 2011]
- Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Dangerous? - March 17th, 2011 [March 17th, 2011]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy Complications - May 8th, 2011 [May 8th, 2011]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy - May 10th, 2011 [May 10th, 2011]
- The New Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy - John Crisler, DO - May 13th, 2011 [May 13th, 2011]
- Suzanne Somers on hormone therapy for menopause, part 2 of 6 - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- Symptoms of Menopause (Menopause #2) - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- How to Relieve Menopause Symptoms : Hormonal Replacement Therapy for Menopause - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- What is hormone replacement therapy? - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy and Breast Cancer - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- Natural Treatments Instead of Hormone Replacement Therapy - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- Suzanne Somers on hormone therapy for menopause, part 1 of 6 - May 23rd, 2011 [May 23rd, 2011]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy for post-menopausal women - June 19th, 2011 [June 19th, 2011]
- Joe Rogan talking about hormone replacement therapy 6-14-2011 - June 25th, 2011 [June 25th, 2011]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy and Weight - June 25th, 2011 [June 25th, 2011]
- HRC Hormone Replacement Therapy - June 25th, 2011 [June 25th, 2011]
- Study Hormone Replacement Therapy Increases Breast Cancer Risk - kdka.com - June 25th, 2011 [June 25th, 2011]
- 020 - Neo Hormones - July 1st, 2011 [July 1st, 2011]
- Making Sense of Hormone Replacement Therapy - July 28th, 2011 [July 28th, 2011]
- HRT MTF Transition Report Week 10 - July 29th, 2011 [July 29th, 2011]
- Hormone Replacement - Part 2 - July 30th, 2011 [July 30th, 2011]
- Hormone Replacement - Part 1 - July 30th, 2011 [July 30th, 2011]
- Goldie Lookin Chain - HRT - August 9th, 2011 [August 9th, 2011]
- Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy - September 23rd, 2011 [September 23rd, 2011]
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT): Optimizing Clinical Outcomes - Michael Aziz, MD - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- Thyroid Replacement Therapy - Ronald Rothenberg, MD - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- Dr. Ralph Turner discusses Hormone Replacement Therapy. - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- 1 year on HRT - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- The Wiley Protocol - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- My Journal with Low Testosterone TRT Replacement Therapy - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- 12 years of HRT: My Transition in photos - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- Dr. Steven Jepson talks about Bio-identical Hormone Replacment Therapy - September 25th, 2011 [September 25th, 2011]
- Estradiol Valerate Injection HRT (Part 3)of(3) - September 25th, 2011 [September 25th, 2011]
- Study: Post-Menopausal Hormone Therapy Increases Cancer Risk - September 25th, 2011 [September 25th, 2011]
- Bio-identical Hormone Replacement (anti-aging) Therapy - Westchase, Tampa, Florida - September 25th, 2011 [September 25th, 2011]
- natural hormone replacement - September 28th, 2011 [September 28th, 2011]
- 6 Month Hormone Effects (before and after) - September 28th, 2011 [September 28th, 2011]
- Jeff Life, MD - Cenegenics, Hormone Replacement Therapy - September 29th, 2011 [September 29th, 2011]
- Huge - September 30th, 2011 [September 30th, 2011]
- Transsexual hormones,Intramuscular injection, Progynon Depot,Estradiol - October 2nd, 2011 [October 2nd, 2011]
- Dr Whiting on Menopause and the Dangers of HRT - October 12th, 2011 [October 12th, 2011]
- Ahuviya Harel (ADF-Fuensalida) to Start Hormone Replacement Therapy - October 13th, 2011 [October 13th, 2011]
- Clomid Defined - Video - October 14th, 2011 [October 14th, 2011]
- Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy - Dr. Denis Rebic - Video - October 14th, 2011 [October 14th, 2011]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy - Video - October 14th, 2011 [October 14th, 2011]
- Dr. Pamela Smith - Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement - Video - October 15th, 2011 [October 15th, 2011]
- Jasper Carrott - Traffic - October 22nd, 2011 [October 22nd, 2011]
- VIDEO: Breast Cancer, Hormone Replacement Therapy Connection - Video - October 24th, 2011 [October 24th, 2011]
- Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy with Dr. Sulak - Video - October 24th, 2011 [October 24th, 2011]
- Menopause - October 24th, 2011 [October 24th, 2011]
- bio identical hormone replacement therapy raleigh durcham chaepl hill north carolina - Video - October 24th, 2011 [October 24th, 2011]
- Endocrine Related Hair Loss, Can Hormone Replacement Therapy Help Treat This? Friedman - Video - October 24th, 2011 [October 24th, 2011]
- Dr. Navarro Discusses Bio Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy - Video - October 24th, 2011 [October 24th, 2011]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy by the Book - Eldred Taylor, MD - Video - October 24th, 2011 [October 24th, 2011]
- Sangeeta Pati, MD, FACOG, discusses Hormone Replacement - Video - October 24th, 2011 [October 24th, 2011]
- Active Center's Dr. Gross Discusses Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy on NEWS 12 NJ - Video - October 28th, 2011 [October 28th, 2011]
- DALLAS ANTI-AGING MEDICINE BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONE THERAPY - Video - October 29th, 2011 [October 29th, 2011]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy and Menopause in Women - Video - November 8th, 2011 [November 8th, 2011]
- Amberen - Natural HRT Alternative Commercial - Video - November 9th, 2011 [November 9th, 2011]
- The Dangers of HRT - Video - November 11th, 2011 [November 11th, 2011]
- The Benefits and Risks of Male Hormone Replacement Therapy - Video - November 16th, 2011 [November 16th, 2011]
- Natural Menopause Treatment - Herbal HRT Alternative - Video - November 23rd, 2011 [November 23rd, 2011]
- Dr. Ian Thorneycroft - Hormone Replacement Therapy - Video - November 24th, 2011 [November 24th, 2011]
- Sarah,MTF Transgender 3months HRT - Video - November 24th, 2011 [November 24th, 2011]
- 26. ftm 1 month on t - Video - November 24th, 2011 [November 24th, 2011]
- Dr. Quint Jardine - Hormone Replacement Therapy with Pellets - Video - November 24th, 2011 [November 24th, 2011]
- 6 Month Changes MTF HRT - Video - November 24th, 2011 [November 24th, 2011]
- Medical Mondays: Will hormone replacement therapy increase my risk of breast cancer? - Video - December 6th, 2011 [December 6th, 2011]
- HRT EXPERIENCES NOT ALL GOOD - Video - December 8th, 2011 [December 8th, 2011]
- Sarah, MTF transgender 9 months HRT - Video - December 9th, 2011 [December 9th, 2011]
- Full: Effect of Testosterone Replacement Therapy on Prostate Tissue in Men with Late-Onset Hypogonadism (Dramatic Health) - Video - December 10th, 2011 [December 10th, 2011]
- Suzanne Somers on hormone therapy for menopause, part 3 of 6 - Video - December 11th, 2011 [December 11th, 2011]
- 1 Year HRT MTF Transition - Video - December 12th, 2011 [December 12th, 2011]