Today, take 100 seconds and use our script to encourage Secretary DeVos to protect the rights of transgender students.
Calling an elected official's office requires courage, but you can do it, and it'll only get easier after the first time. To make it simple, we've attached a script below, developed by former staffers who have been on the receiving end of these calls and designed to make an impression (There's also a voicemail version below).
We will be calling the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education. Here's the phone number: (800) 421-3481
Remember, all it takes is 100 seconds to make sure your voice is heard! ☀️
We will be calling the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education. Here's the phone number: (800) 421-3481
Remember, all it takes is 100 seconds to make sure your voice is heard! ☀️
SAMPLE CALL DIALOGUE:
Staffer: Office of Civil Rights, this is [Jane], how can I help you?
Caller: Hi there, I wanted to leave a comment on the recent withdrawal of the guidance on transgender students.
Staffer: Ok, what’s the message?
Caller: I’m calling to say that I’m deeply disappointed to hear that the Department of Education and Department of Justice have retracted their guidance on transgender students. These students are simply trying to live according to their own gender identity, and they deserve to be protected and accommodated under civil rights laws including Title IX. I hope Secretary DeVos takes additional steps to protect transgender students and their right to be free from discrimination on the basis of their gender identity.
Staffer: Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I can’t speak for the Secretary, but I will pass you concerns along.
Caller: I appreciate that [Jane], but I would also like to know what the Secretary’s plans are to protect transgender students.
Staffer: The Secretary has stated that she believes all students should have the right to be safe from bullying, but how they are accommodated at school is up to the school, community, and State.
Caller: I expect the Secretary to do everything in her power to protect transgender students from discrimination.
Staffer: I’ll pass your message along.
SAMPLE VOICEMAIL DIALOGUE
Note: If you are sent to voicemail, or if you call after hours, you can use this script.
Caller: Hello, this is [name]. I am calling today because I want express my deep disappointment that the Secretary has rescinded guidance to schools instructing them to protect and accommodate transgender students. There is no room in our schools or our communities for discrimination based on students’ gender identity.
I expect the Secretary to take every step possible to protect transgender students from discrimination and ensure they are properly accommodated in all schools. I look forward to hearing how she is going to do that. You can reach me at [number or email address]. Thank you!
Thanks to our friends at Indivisible Guide and the National Center for Transgender Equality for informing parts of this message.
Staffer: Office of Civil Rights, this is [Jane], how can I help you?
Caller: Hi there, I wanted to leave a comment on the recent withdrawal of the guidance on transgender students.
Staffer: Ok, what’s the message?
Caller: I’m calling to say that I’m deeply disappointed to hear that the Department of Education and Department of Justice have retracted their guidance on transgender students. These students are simply trying to live according to their own gender identity, and they deserve to be protected and accommodated under civil rights laws including Title IX. I hope Secretary DeVos takes additional steps to protect transgender students and their right to be free from discrimination on the basis of their gender identity.
Staffer: Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I can’t speak for the Secretary, but I will pass you concerns along.
Caller: I appreciate that [Jane], but I would also like to know what the Secretary’s plans are to protect transgender students.
Staffer: The Secretary has stated that she believes all students should have the right to be safe from bullying, but how they are accommodated at school is up to the school, community, and State.
Caller: I expect the Secretary to do everything in her power to protect transgender students from discrimination.
Staffer: I’ll pass your message along.
SAMPLE VOICEMAIL DIALOGUE
Note: If you are sent to voicemail, or if you call after hours, you can use this script.
Caller: Hello, this is [name]. I am calling today because I want express my deep disappointment that the Secretary has rescinded guidance to schools instructing them to protect and accommodate transgender students. There is no room in our schools or our communities for discrimination based on students’ gender identity.
I expect the Secretary to take every step possible to protect transgender students from discrimination and ensure they are properly accommodated in all schools. I look forward to hearing how she is going to do that. You can reach me at [number or email address]. Thank you!
Thanks to our friends at Indivisible Guide and the National Center for Transgender Equality for informing parts of this message.