Advocacy
If you trade sex or are profiled as doing so, law and policy at the city and state levels can have a lot of impact on your life.
Ask most people about government and they tend to talk about their federal representatives, the White House, or maybe the Mayor. But the state government may have the most significant impacts on our daily lives, particularly in the realm of criminal justice. In our advocacy training learn from a veteran staffer of the state legislature how bills become law, how to monitor bills as they make their way through the process, and how to talk to your elected representatives about your concerns.
Participants will develop talking points and practice the skills we need to be effective advocates. We will cover tactics for legislative meetings, lobbying, and giving testimony.
UPCOMING
The Issue: In New York, as in other places, condoms are often confiscated by police and then used as evidence of intent to engage in prostitution. This spring, people in the sex industry and our allies are putting pressure on elected officials in Albany to demand that they pass Bill S1289/A1008, which would stop police from using condoms as evidence of prostitution.
To RSVP for trainings or ask questions, email audaciaray@redumbrellaproject.org. We have limited capacity for the trainings, so please RSVP early.
Friday, February 24, 2012 from 10 am to 4 pm: Training in collaboration with Streetwise and Safe, to support the advocacy work of youth of color in New York City that shares the ins & outs, do’s & don’ts, and street politics of encounters between LGBTQQ youth of color and the police. We will focus on the No Condoms As Evidence Bill and NYPD Stop and Frisk Policies. This training is for LGBTQQ youth of color and is not open to the general public. We will be joined by NYC Council Member Daniel Dromm for an hour of the training.
Wednesday April 4, 2012 from 4 to 5:30 pm: Training in collaboration with the Gay Men’s Health Project, which will take place at 446 West 33rd Street (room TBA). This is a brief training for people who have lobbied in Albany before, to discuss the strategy for lobby day and review the talking points on the no condoms as evidence bill.
Sunday, April 15, 2012 from 10 am to 4 pm: Training in collaboration with the Sex Workers Project, to prepare participants to lobby in Albany. This free, public training will take place at the Urban Justice Center, 123 William Street, 16th floor. You must RSVP to attend, and tell us if you also plan on going to Albany (going to Albany is not mandatory to participate, but its encouraged!). There will be a free lunch, snacks, and beverages. We will be joined by NY State Assemblymember Richard Gottfried for an hour during the training.
State Lobby Day! Tuesday, April 17
Travel details TBA. RSVP early to reserve your spot on the free bus!