Marilyn Wann needs your help!

UPDATE: Just got the following from Marilyn: They’ve moved the hearing date back to September. I’ll post more when I hear about a specific date, but for now, no lining up for June 13th (though please still email your reps!).

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Marilyn’s looking for folks in Massachusetts to help get the anti-discrimination bill passed. The state congress has recently moved up the hearing date to June 13th, and we need folks to testify about how important it is that this become law. Besides going to testify, there are some other important ways to help out. Under the cut is a letter from Beth Kenny, an intern at Fat Legal Advocacy, Research and Education (FLARE) about how to help, including a sample letter that residents of the state (or anybody, I suppose?) can send to their representatives and senators.

And just as an important note, this bill may not get another chance to be passed in Mass. I’m aware that it’s come up before, and if it doesn’t pass this time it may be a long while before the state congress will consider it again. The solution? MAKE IT PASS NOW. Spread the word, fatlings and fat rights advocates!

Hi:

I’m Beth Kenny, the legal intern for FLARE, Fat Legal Advocacy, Research, and Education. I’d like to pass along some exciting info…

If you live in Massachusetts or know people there, you (and your East Coast friends) have a chance to make history!

The state legislature in Massachusetts is soon going to decide whether or not to make discrimination based on height or weight illegal.

Here’s what you can do to help secure exciting new civil rights for people of all sizes in a whole state…

1. Send an actual letter to legislators in Massachusetts. See the form letter below, along with a link for locating your representatives (if
you live in Massachusetts).

2. Testify at the upcoming hearings in Boston. To testify, please contact me, the FLARE intern. I will coordinate people’s testimony and
will make sure everyone has full info on when and where the hearing is happening. I’m at bkenny_ma@yahoo.com.

3. Try to avoid participating in media coverage of this legislation, as negative press will seriously discourage lawmakers from supporting our
cause.

Don’t be shy. Help make history!

If you have questions or ideas about how to help get this historic legislation passed, please let us know. Thanks tons for your help.

Sincerely,
Beth Kenny
FLARE legal intern
bkenny_ma@yahoo.com.

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Find your LEGISLATORS’ CONTACT INFO
http://www.mass.gov/legis/.
* * *
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Rep. ________ (or Sen. _________)

I’m writing to ask you to support (or thank you for supporting) H.1844, which will add height and weight to the anti-discrimination law. People
of all sizes deserve basic respect, and large people in particular are routinely discriminated against in employment, health care and
education.

(I have faced discrimination….)

Thank you,

your name
your address

CO-SPONSORS
Rep. Christine Canavan
Rep. Linda Forry
Rep. Gloria Fox
Rep. Willie Mae Allen
Rep. Matthew Patrick
Rep. Carl Sciortino
Rep. Benjamin Swan
Rep. Timothy Toomey
Rep. Marty Walz
Sen. Susan Fargo

COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Rep. David Torrisi, Chair
Sen. Thomas McGee
Sen. Pamela Resor
Sen. Patricia Jehlen
Sen. Edward Augustus
Sen. Steven Tolman
Sen. Robert Hedlund
Rep. John Scibak
Rep. Paul Casey
Rep. Colleen Garry
Rep. Demetrius Atsalis
Rep. Barbara L’Italian
Rep. Sean Curran
Rep. Marty Walz
Rep. Thomas Calther
Rep. Paul Loscocco
Rep. Karyn Polito