Dear [Your Elected Official],

<p>I urge you to vote NO on HB571 on the House floor on Monday because of its poor premise, its effort to hit too many specialized areas, and its conflict with federal law.</p> <p><strong>Inaccurate foundation</strong>:  This entire bill is premised on deliberate misinformation.  The research overwhelmingly shows that transgender people are more likely to be assaulted when they cannot seek safety in spaces that match their gender identity. There is no link between policies that include transgender people and increased assault. </p> <p><strong>Too many specialized areas, too little research</strong>:  This bill touches several areas of life--correctional and detention facilities, domestic violence shelters, schools, and dormitories. Has the sponsor consulted with leaders and experts in this area to determine best practices and ongoing issues? If not, then I urge the Legislature not to rush into bad policy.</p> <p><strong>Turning away people in need</strong>:  In terms of domestic violence shelters arranged as dorms, there could be current situations in which a mother with a young daughter is housed with a mother and her young son. Under this bill, that could not happen, resulting in danger to the family who could not be accommodated in limited space.</p> <p><strong>Federal law and prisons</strong>:  In terms of incarceration, it is important to know that currently facilities often take into account the danger to prisoners when determining housing. The Prison Rape Elimination Act is still federal law. And some trans prisoners are successfully suing facilities when their transfers would endanger their lives. Increasing the risk of assault against trans prisoners also increases the risk to staff because they will be intervening in more violent situations.</p> <p>Please, focus on the facts and not the fear-mongering. Press the pause button on this legislation. Thank you for considering my views.</p>