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' M'A'RCH 2006 'lvI‘II'It"iii'tlI'e'liI'iIiIiI'hIliIs 3

WITHOUT PROTECTION,
IT IS NOT SAFE TO SHOW OUR FACES.

  HELP PASS H.865
0 AN ACT
RELATING TO NON-DISCRIMINATION

We are Vermonters and we face discrimination because our
gender identities and expressions do not match what some
people expect. By passing H.865, Vermont will join over a quarter

of the US in saying NO to discrimination.

 

  
  

Help us show our faces without fear.

CALLYOUR

I-EGISLATRTODAY!

        
  
 

How will this bill change the law to protect Transgendered Vermonters? H.865 will change
the already existing Vermont non-discrimination legislation to read “race, color, creed, religion, age,
disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or national origin.

Tell Your Legislator Why They Should Support H.865: Passage of this bill will affirm Vermont’s
commitment to civil rights and equality for all. Vermont already includes this protection in its Hate
Crimes Legislation. Vermont has a long, proud history of working to ensure that all of its citizens
have equal opportunity. Passing this bill is the next logical step in strengthening this commitment.

Many Vermonters face pervasive discrimination based on gender identity or expression: They live in. fear for theirjobs, safety and
families because they don’t meet certain expectations about gender. They are frequently told to leave restaurants, stores, hotels, medical
facilities and educational institutions and denied housing and employment opportunities. 6

f H.865 will protect businesses and towns by clarifying the law: Many businesses are unaware
V that current state law can be interpreted to hold them liable for discrimination against people based
, on gender identity or expression. The_ Town of Hardwick paid $90,000 to settle a discrimination

’ case. It could have been avoided if H.865 was in place.

,0 Increasing protection for transgender people is the national trend and business trend. Other
i states (California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Washington)

, and over 70 municipalities have enacted these laws. Fortune 500 businesses are voluntarily

A adopting these policies. '

Tell your legislator to “Protect ALL Vermonters:
‘ Vote Yes on H.865”

‘ For more information, contact Vermont Trans Action, TransActionVT@gmai|.com; 802-863-0003.
This ad paid for by individual contributionsto Vermont Trans'Action. S