TACT to conduct Independent Educational Initiative

Transgender Advocates of Central Texas
P.O. Box 2602
Austin, Texas 78768
info@tactx.org
http://www.tactx.org

January 13, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEEDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE DURING HRC GALA
Austin, Tx -- Transgender Advocates of Central Texas (TACT) will be holding an independent educational initiative during the gala event of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) on January 26th at the Austin Hilton. This initiative is motivated by the desire to educate the members of HRC about gender identity and expression and the need to provide protections in legislation. HRC continued to support an Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA) after Representative Barney Frank deleted protections for gender identity and expression. This was despite a coalition of over 300 national, statewide, and local groups who signed a pledge to not support a non-inclusive bill.
TACT board member, Lisa Scheps said, "We feel the leadership of HRC not only hurt the transgender community, but also any person that doesn’t conform to gender norms. This includes feminine men and masculine women – many of whom are HRC members. Under the ENDA that passed in The House of Representatives these people would have no protections. And, let’s face it, when a person is discriminated against it is usually because of how they present themselves and not because of who they sleep with." TACT looks forward to a day when all people get all of the protections provided by the Constitution.
Transgender Advocates of Central Texas is an advocacy group dedicated to furthering the cause of Gender Diverse people in Central Texas. We will accomplish this through advocacy and education in both public and private forums. Through our efforts we will strive to halt discrimination through social, legal, legislative and corporate education.
For more information on opportunities to get involved in transgender advocacy in Austin, e-mail to info@tactx.org