Unemployed Trans + ENDA Direct Action

NCTE has a direct action going on. If you’re a trans person or ally who is out of work, you can drop off your resume + cover letter to your local Congressperson, and then send copies to NCTE who will deliver them in person. The idea is to show Congress exactly how much we need ENDA. More below the break:

Are you or a friend looking for work? Do you only have a part-time or temporary job? Are you afraid of coming out at work and would like to have a job where you don’t have to worry every day about being fired? Are you being harassed at work and wish you had a better job? If so, this important action is for you!!

Because we are in the final push to get ENDA passed in the House of Representatives, we are calling on transpeople to go look for work-at your member of Congress’ office. We need you to demonstrate to Congress that we need jobs and we are determined to get them. Whether you are a carpenter or a physicist, a politician or a factory worker, ask them for a job and for your rights!

We’ve included a sample cover letter to send to your Congressional office that calls on your member of Congress to support your job search by supporting ENDA. Personalize the cover letter as you see fit, print out a copy of your résumé, and go down to your Representative’s office that is closest to your home and hand it in.

Here are some tips:

  • You can find out who your member of Congress is and where their offices are located at http://www.house.gov.
  • You can find help on how to write a résumé and other job search tips at:
  • Congress is a formal white-collar institution, so put on the best business clothes that you have (for example, a suit, pantsuit or blouse and skirt) so you’ll be taken seriously as a Congressional job applicant
  • Print out your cover letter and résumé neatly
  • If you absolutely can’t travel to your Representative’s district office, fax or e-mail your information.

Take your letter to your Representative’s office whether or not they support ENDA-the purpose of this action is to demonstrate the need for jobs for transgender and other LGBT people. And, you might get work as well! We hope so.

Please also send a copy to NCTE and we will deliver the resumes and this important message to the White House and your state’s Senators, asking for their active support in putting transgender people back to work.

We need your help NOW to reach every transperson who is unemployed or underemployed and ask them to take action. Will you please help us bring this message home to Congress?

We need people in each and every Congressional district in the country to demonstrate the urgency of ENDA for transgender, lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

With a trans  unemployment rate twice the national average, we need Congress to act now.

And if you have a job, support those in our community who are out of work by calling your member of Congress right now and urging them to support ENDA, HR 3017.