Lobby meeting

[Zerbie]

Hiya all,

So it's official: I am signed up (through HRC) for a lobby meeting with my US Representative, in support of a federal Employment NonDiscrimination Act.

Who here has participated in a lobby meeting with their Representative before? What was it like? How do you make the best use of the short time?

I'm pretty jazzed. Wish us well (I have a feeling we have our work cut out for us with my Rep.)

[Daniel]

Haven't the faintest idea! But want to wish you well my friend!

Oh....one thought. Look'em in the eye.

[BruceChris]

You can ask questions here, but you're probably better off talking to the locals. Your local gay activists, and local political mavens. Find out what you can about your Rep., his (this is a "he"?) likes and dislikes, his favorite cookies (I'm pretty sure that cookies are well below the $50 cutoff), how he feels about the issues that you want to discuss, how to butter him up, whatever it takes. What are his political fears, or weak spots?

You probably don't have any real MONEY, but you could always promise to hold a beanfeed/rally, fundraiser, whatever it takes. Is he a Dem or Repub? ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL.

Find out your time limit, and polish your high points to fit. Practice.

Hey, my rep is slightly to the left of Paul Wellstone, but I have no idea what yours is. Answer the above questions, and you're half way there.

Get a good nights sleep, exercize, if it's not too hot, wear comfortable shoes, get there well ahead of time.

P&L, BC

[Rick336]

Zerbie,

I lobbied my state legislator when I lived in Minnesota back in 1978 to have sodomy laws taken off the books. That was almost 30 years ago so it's hard to remember exactly what went on, but it seems like my visit in his office was very short because he was very busy.

The morning of our lobby day we were briefly trained on lobbying skills by the Minnesota Committee for Gay and Lesbian Rights. But I remember thinking that I wish I had been better trained because I felt unprepaired to answer some of his questions as I sat in his office that day. I hope HRC is offering some kind of training for you guys.

My advice is to talk about fairness, and equality because that is something almost every American agrees is important. Examples of people being fired in your state because of their sexual orientation would help too. If you can, give statistics that show that a majority of Americans support job discrimination protection for LGBT people. Make sure he or she knows that this is not a same sex marriage issue but an employment non-discrimination issue.

Don't use the letters LGBT. Few outside our community know what that stands for. Say lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.

Also, dress professionally.

Rick

[Zerbie]

Thanks Chris.

Yeah, I spent the last little while on his website. I've been vaguely familiar with him since we moved here - hubby actually voted for the guy in November but I couldn't (over one issue, non-LGBT). He's more libertarian than some around Arizona.

I figured I would just ask people here if ya'll have had meetings with your Reps before, and what they were like, just generally.

[Zerbie]

Zerbie,

I lobbied my state legislator when I lived in Minnesota back in 1978 to have sodomy laws taken off the books. That was almost 30 years ago so it's hard to remember exactly what went on, but it seems like my visit in his office was very short because he was very busy.

That's what I'm picturing. The schedule says we have 30 minutes, but I won't be surprised if it's shorter than that.

The morning of our lobby day we were briefly trained on lobbying skills by the Minnesota Committee for Gay and Lesbian Rights. But I remember thinking that I wish I had been better trained because I felt unprepaired to answer some of his questions as I sat in his office that day. I hope HRC is offering some kind of training for you guys.

Yeah. . .well our local LGBT group has lobby training days every year or two, and I attended the last one they had, a while ago now. It was of course, a very general training designed to get us started, not geared towards a specific issue. I consider myself reasonably well-equipped to speak about employment non-discrimination, but could always be more prepared, I'm sure.

My advice is to talk about fairness, and equality because that is something almost every American agrees is important. Examples of people being fired in your state because of their sexual orientation would help too. If you can, give statistics that show that a majority of Americans support job discrimination protection for LGBT people. Make sure he or she knows that this is not a same sex marriage issue but an employment non-discrimination issue.

Yes, in fact HRC gave us some 2006 polling statistics. They show the American public overwhelmingly in favor of employment protections. Thanks for raising the possibility of confusing issues - apparently, this is something that folks think of when we talk about ENDA? That somehow "not firing gay people" = ""gay marriage""?? Thanks, I wouldn't have thought that might be a confusion, but apparently that DOES need to be made clear. There is a strong socially conservative constituency around here, that may influence my Rep's thinking on this matter of ENDA.

Don't use the letters LGBT. Few outside our community know what that stands for. Say lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.

Good point.

Also, dress professionally.

Rick

Dress professionally! :eek: I threw out my last "office-y" clothing ten years ago when I vowed never to work in an office again (I've had some strange jobs since!). Most of my clothes are appropriate to dance class!:rolleyes: Hmmm - I'll see what I can rustle up that doesn't scream, "Here comes a goofy off-the-wall opera singer straight (haha!) from her dance class." :disagree:

[BruceChris]

Break A Leg!

[Daniel]

...that she would loan you her own heels and suit, but thinks you would be swimming in size 11- heels that is.

Here are her suggestions for meeting power head on with fashion power.

The green number would work nicely, don't you think? With that RED hair! Every day is Christmas! And everyone of these are from the mind of the divine Coco Chanel.

Don't forget the red shoes.

[Zerbie]

Actually, the BLUE one. (whistles)

(The greenish one has way too much yellow for my skin tone.)

But that blue is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!! I wonder if anyplace is selling that on clearance? Could I be so lucky?! :lol: Where'd ya find it?

:D

(deep obeisance to the genius that is Madame Oxy, and no, try as she might, little Zerbie cannot fill the lady's shoes.)

[Daniel]

Actually, the BLUE one. (whistles)

(The greenish one has way too much yellow for my skin tone.)

Gotcha. But you must admit the cut is nice. Very similar to the blue number. That was Chanel's genius. Though her earlier ones were pretty boxy.

But that blue is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!! I wonder if anyplace is selling that on clearance? Could I be so lucky?! :lol: Where'd ya find it?

A pic on google. Not a store I'm afraid. A princess Diana deal.

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/02/17/Weekend/Fractured_fairy_tale.shtml

:D

(deep obeisance to the genius that is Madame Oxy, and no, try as she might, little Zerbie cannot fill the lady's shoes.)

And I know, try as I might, I could never walk a mile in yours! Ouch! :lol:

[JacoBison]

Who here has participated in a lobby meeting with their Representative before?

Last time I met with my Congressional Representative it was in his office, not the lobby.

:lol:

[u-dog]

Last time I met with my Congressional Representative it was in his office, not the lobby.

:lol:

:headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:

JB... don't give up your day job for a career in stand-up

[dsdrane]

Zerbie --

Pull a Martha and bring cookies.

:cookie: :cookie: :cookie:

[tdogg]

Z, when is your lobby meeting (in the office of course HA!)?

You should be able to find a nice professional outfit perhaps at a Ross near you? I prefer other stores (hard to find my fit at Ross) but something like would definitely be cheap. Whatever you wear I'm sure you'll look just fine!

Good luck, please give us the low down and GO FOR IT GIRL!!! You are Z-Woman! Able to leap tall representatives with a single bound, speed faster than a speeding congressman and hold your own with just 'bout anyone. And then yeah, whatever BruceChris, Rick & Daniel said!

We really really need Federal non-discrimination. Too many states have the freedom to discriminate. Let's get that one in the bag, then the next lobbying can be for more equality. Perhaps equal marriage rights! It's 2007 - NOT acceptible that many can lose jobs, housing, etc. because they are GLBT.

[Zerbie]

Hi T!

Funny you should mention Ross. I totally never went inside a Ross before, but stopped in one on Friday after dinner, and picked up something that I think will work.

I already own a pair of grey trousers that I keep for when I want to look more put-together (as opposed to like I just left yoga class), and at Ross for $10 I found a shiny black sheath tank with one of those attached scarf-thingies, in black and grey print patterns, which you can tie like a cravat so then the light grey contrasts with the black tank. I figured the grey would also balance the grey trousers. The sleeveless thing I think I can get away with because this is Phoenix in April and I've already gotten 2 sunburns this season. Then for color, I'll just use my shiny red Guess handbag. It's compact and snazzy.

Turns out we're lobbying hate crimes legislation too, which I didn't know when I first signed up. Two in one. Wish us luck. We're meeting staffers for a very conservative Republican.

[tdogg]

GOOD LUCK ZERBIE!!! Sounds like you will be the picture of professional fashion. Please let us know how it goes....

[Rick336]

Zerbie,

One more word of advice.

When you meet with your representative on Lobby Day don't sit on the edge of his desk. That's not good form. And don't cuss or smoke. And don't bang your fist on his desk and scream.

And don't take a beer with you into his office.

Other than that, you should be okay.

Rick


P.S. April Fools :lol:

[Daniel]

Then for color, I'll just use my shiny red Guess handbag. It's compact and snazzy.

Make sure the color you use goes with what you're wearing and carrying- but most importantly, that gorgeous face of yours! And those shoes better match the purse! Or is that too matchy matchy for the occasion? :lol:

;)

You are unstoppable!

[Zerbie]

Zerbie,

One more word of advice.

When you meet with your representative on Lobby Day don't sit on the edge of his desk. That's not good form. And don't cuss or smoke. And don't bang your fist on his desk and scream.

And don't take a beer with you into his office.

Other than that, you should be okay.

Rick


P.S. April Fools :lol:

Aw crap, you mean I can't do floor splits or a series of handstands while discussing the proposed legislation?! :lol:

[Zerbie]

Thank you T and thank you Daniel!

No Daniel, no matchy-matchy the shoes and purse. I DO have red shoes, but they are a different red, and er, just no. The handbag is really VIVID.

Alas, can't say the same for my hair. It's fading to strawberry blonde.

Ah well. Any more points about the POLITICS? I've got the "talking points" and all that, but what kinds of questions do ya'll suspect staffers in a conservative Republican congressional office might ask? Or do they just hear you out for a few minutes and then say 'thanks for your time, have a nice day?"