I just voted early at Holy Name Catholic Church
I voted for
DEWHURST
BRANCH
MERRITT...
CHRISTIAN
WALKER
FRANKLIN
McLaughlin
http://
WEAR RED!
Help us fill City Hall with supporters of equality dressed in red. The FINAL Public Session & City Council Meeting starts at 9:00 am. If you are able to, PLEASE arrive by 7:00 am (if able) to ensure those seated in the actual Council Chambers are equality-minded supporters. Once you secure your seat, please do not give it up to anyone other than a supporter of equality.
SPEAK OUT IN SUPPORT:
Please contact the City Secretary (BEFORE Wednesday, May 28, 9:00 am) to sign up to speak in favor of the ordinance. Register by calling 832-393-1100 or emailing citysecretary@houstontx.go
When you call or email, say that you would like to testify before City Council on Wednesday, May 28, at 9:00 am. The City Secretary will ask for your Name, Phone Number, and Home Address. Topic is the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance. Ask for 1 minute to speak.
You do not need to be a resident of the City of Houston to attend or speak in support of the ordinance.
Due to anticipated crowd size, individual testimony will almost certainly be limited to one minute. We suggest asking for one minute and preparing for one minute - about 150 words. Asking for one minute will place you towards the beginning of the list. (requesting 2 or 3 minutes will place you towards the end)
WHY?
Mayor Annise Parker has proposed an Equal Rights Ordinance for Houston that includes Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity protections in housing, public and private employment, as well as accommodations!
The last time a similar ordinance was introduced was 1985. We must not wait another 30 years for another opportunity. The time to end discrimination is NOW!
If you have experienced discrimination in employment, housing, or public accommodations, your voice is critical!
DATE:
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
TIME:
9:00 am
ARRIVE EARLY:
Due to potentially large crowds and the need to go through a security checkpoint, we suggest arriving by 7:00 am. Head to Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of City Hall and find a seat.
LOCATION:
Council Chambers (2nd Floor)
City Hall, 901 Bagby Street, Houston TX 77002
OVERFLOW:
Once the main Council Chambers reaches capacity, all additional guests will be seated in the chambers in the Annex building. A video feed is available.
ATTIRE:
Please do not wear: shorts, hats, muscle shirts, tank tops, or any item of clothing that displays offensive, vulgar, racist, sexist, gang-related, obscene language and/or graphics.
SECURITY:
You will be required to undergo a security screening (metal detectors and x-ray machines for bags). A driver's license or photo ID must be presented to obtain a visitor's badge.
PARKING:
Parking Garage UNDER Tranquility Park
Entrance at Rusk & Bagby
Lot Map - http://bit.ly/HouParking
Hourly Rates: Monday through Friday, 6 am - 5 pm
0 to 10 min. - FREE
11 min. to 1 hour - $3
61 min. to 2 hours - $6
121 min. to 3 hours - $9
181 min or more - $12
Maximum rate - $12 per day
http://goo.gl/maps/gMjbL
Follow signage in underground garage to "City Hall"
ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT:
Email letters of support to DistrictC@houstontx.gov
WATCH MEETING ONLINE, LIVE:
http://
PROPOSED DRAFT OF ORDINANCE:
www.bit.ly/HouEROdraft
WHY WE NEED AN INCLUSIVE ERO:
www.bit.ly/HouEROwhy
-----SUGGESTIONS FROM OUT & EQUAL-----
If you're uncomfortable speaking or are unavailable, send your written statements of support to Council Member Ellen Cohen's office: DistrictC@houstontx.gov
The following guidelines are for speaking to Council but can also be used for your written statement.
Guidelines for Speaking
Plan on speaking 1-2 minutes only - it's likely that there will be a large number of people wanting to speak about the ordinance (pro and con) and you may be forced to just one minute anyway.
Put together a set of prepared remarks - 1 page (front & back), double-spaced lines is about right.
Have your printed remarks ready for reference, but don't read directly from them if you don't have to. (If your speaking time is cut to 1 minute or you can't finish, you can hand your remarks to the Council Secretary for inclusion in the record - be sure it contains your contact information.)
PRACTICE! - in front of a mirror or in front of friends, this will help you appear confident and secure when you address the Council and a likely packed room.
Structure of your remarks:
Introduce yourself to Council (Good afternoon, my name is...., thank you for the opportunity to speak.)
I am here in support of the proposed Equal Rights Ordinance.
If you are representing an organization, identify that organization
Make eye contact with Council members and smile!
Tell your story.
When finished, thank the Council and commend them for taking up this ordinance - express your confidence that they will stand with the vast majority of Houstonians -- for equality and fairness - and pass the ordinance.
Your story:
It should be your personal experience - not someone else's. Focus on the effects of not having this ordinance in place, for example -
I was denied housing because __________ -- and the effect was that I was forced to find housing well away from my job. This resulted in me having to...
I had all the qualifications for job X - including a degree in X. The company eventually hired someone with less qualifications and I was forced to get a lower-paying job outside of my field.
Our family was turned away from a day care services company because my daughter has two moms - I had to take extra time away from work in order to find a suitable and affordable place that wouldn't discriminate. My daughter is too young to understand what is happening, but wonders why she can't see her old friends anymore.
Use supportive and hopeful language when asking Council to address this by passing the ordinance.
You should not use negative language like "if you vote against this, we'll be voting you out" - Council members understand the political process and we want to build goodwill. Let the "other side" make threats and go negative - it only drives people away www.mayorgalvan.com
I voted for
DEWHURST
BRANCH
MERRITT...
CHRISTIAN
WALKER
FRANKLIN
McLaughlin
http://
WEAR RED!
Help us fill City Hall with supporters of equality dressed in red. The FINAL Public Session & City Council Meeting starts at 9:00 am. If you are able to, PLEASE arrive by 7:00 am (if able) to ensure those seated in the actual Council Chambers are equality-minded supporters. Once you secure your seat, please do not give it up to anyone other than a supporter of equality.
SPEAK OUT IN SUPPORT:
Please contact the City Secretary (BEFORE Wednesday, May 28, 9:00 am) to sign up to speak in favor of the ordinance. Register by calling 832-393-1100 or emailing citysecretary@houstontx.go
When you call or email, say that you would like to testify before City Council on Wednesday, May 28, at 9:00 am. The City Secretary will ask for your Name, Phone Number, and Home Address. Topic is the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance. Ask for 1 minute to speak.
You do not need to be a resident of the City of Houston to attend or speak in support of the ordinance.
Due to anticipated crowd size, individual testimony will almost certainly be limited to one minute. We suggest asking for one minute and preparing for one minute - about 150 words. Asking for one minute will place you towards the beginning of the list. (requesting 2 or 3 minutes will place you towards the end)
WHY?
Mayor Annise Parker has proposed an Equal Rights Ordinance for Houston that includes Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity protections in housing, public and private employment, as well as accommodations!
The last time a similar ordinance was introduced was 1985. We must not wait another 30 years for another opportunity. The time to end discrimination is NOW!
If you have experienced discrimination in employment, housing, or public accommodations, your voice is critical!
DATE:
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
TIME:
9:00 am
ARRIVE EARLY:
Due to potentially large crowds and the need to go through a security checkpoint, we suggest arriving by 7:00 am. Head to Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of City Hall and find a seat.
LOCATION:
Council Chambers (2nd Floor)
City Hall, 901 Bagby Street, Houston TX 77002
OVERFLOW:
Once the main Council Chambers reaches capacity, all additional guests will be seated in the chambers in the Annex building. A video feed is available.
ATTIRE:
Please do not wear: shorts, hats, muscle shirts, tank tops, or any item of clothing that displays offensive, vulgar, racist, sexist, gang-related, obscene language and/or graphics.
SECURITY:
You will be required to undergo a security screening (metal detectors and x-ray machines for bags). A driver's license or photo ID must be presented to obtain a visitor's badge.
PARKING:
Parking Garage UNDER Tranquility Park
Entrance at Rusk & Bagby
Lot Map - http://bit.ly/HouParking
Hourly Rates: Monday through Friday, 6 am - 5 pm
0 to 10 min. - FREE
11 min. to 1 hour - $3
61 min. to 2 hours - $6
121 min. to 3 hours - $9
181 min or more - $12
Maximum rate - $12 per day
http://goo.gl/maps/gMjbL
Follow signage in underground garage to "City Hall"
ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT:
Email letters of support to DistrictC@houstontx.gov
WATCH MEETING ONLINE, LIVE:
http://
PROPOSED DRAFT OF ORDINANCE:
www.bit.ly/HouEROdraft
WHY WE NEED AN INCLUSIVE ERO:
www.bit.ly/HouEROwhy
-----SUGGESTIONS FROM OUT & EQUAL-----
If you're uncomfortable speaking or are unavailable, send your written statements of support to Council Member Ellen Cohen's office: DistrictC@houstontx.gov
The following guidelines are for speaking to Council but can also be used for your written statement.
Guidelines for Speaking
Plan on speaking 1-2 minutes only - it's likely that there will be a large number of people wanting to speak about the ordinance (pro and con) and you may be forced to just one minute anyway.
Put together a set of prepared remarks - 1 page (front & back), double-spaced lines is about right.
Have your printed remarks ready for reference, but don't read directly from them if you don't have to. (If your speaking time is cut to 1 minute or you can't finish, you can hand your remarks to the Council Secretary for inclusion in the record - be sure it contains your contact information.)
PRACTICE! - in front of a mirror or in front of friends, this will help you appear confident and secure when you address the Council and a likely packed room.
Structure of your remarks:
Introduce yourself to Council (Good afternoon, my name is...., thank you for the opportunity to speak.)
I am here in support of the proposed Equal Rights Ordinance.
If you are representing an organization, identify that organization
Make eye contact with Council members and smile!
Tell your story.
When finished, thank the Council and commend them for taking up this ordinance - express your confidence that they will stand with the vast majority of Houstonians -- for equality and fairness - and pass the ordinance.
Your story:
It should be your personal experience - not someone else's. Focus on the effects of not having this ordinance in place, for example -
I was denied housing because __________ -- and the effect was that I was forced to find housing well away from my job. This resulted in me having to...
I had all the qualifications for job X - including a degree in X. The company eventually hired someone with less qualifications and I was forced to get a lower-paying job outside of my field.
Our family was turned away from a day care services company because my daughter has two moms - I had to take extra time away from work in order to find a suitable and affordable place that wouldn't discriminate. My daughter is too young to understand what is happening, but wonders why she can't see her old friends anymore.
Use supportive and hopeful language when asking Council to address this by passing the ordinance.
You should not use negative language like "if you vote against this, we'll be voting you out" - Council members understand the political process and we want to build goodwill. Let the "other side" make threats and go negative - it only drives people away www.mayorgalvan.com
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