Email and Phone Templates to Oppose Governor Newsom's Transphobia for California Residents
Please note these scripts were written by a community member, and not MadyCast News. We are publishing them for the convenience of people living in CA to have a good idea of what kinds of messages to send to their leaders.
Find Your CA Representatives here.
Conciliatory to Legislator:
Hello, Assemblymember/State Sen. ______________: I am a constituent in your __[district number]___ district and I’m reaching out regarding Gov. Newsom’s commentsonhispodcast regarding trans people. I don’t know whether he means what he’s saying or not, but his comments worry me greatly. I take pride living in California and feel blessed to live in one of the most LGBTQ-friendly [districts/states] in the country, but this is an attack against [me and] my loved ones.
The California Legislature is considering a number of bills meant to protect LGBTQ and especially trans rights in the current session, including AB 1084, SB 59 and SB 497. It is vital this legislation get passed to protect [me and] my loved ones. If the governor vetoes any of these, it is equally important the Legislature stand up for trans people by overriding his veto. Please help us during this time that we’re being blamed for all the world’s problems, when we already have enough of our own. I and the rest of your constituents would appreciate your leadership on this.
Angry to Legislator:
Hello, Assemblymember/State Sen. ______________: I am a constituent in your __[district number]___ district and I’d like to make something clear: Gov. Newsom’s comments on his podcast about trans people and trans athletes in particular are disgusting and craven. I don’t know that I expect much from someone who has lately been so obviously shifting right in an attempt to jump from California to DC, but it’s the act of a coward. Newsom has his foot already halfway out the door and is trying to speak to the imaginary voter in Iowa at the cost of his constituents in California.
I need you, as a legislator rooted in this state and its values, to stand up for what is right. The California Legislature is considering a number of bills meant to protect LGBTQ and especially trans rights in the current session, including AB 1084, SB 59 and SB 497. It is vital these laws pass to protect [me and] my loved ones. If the governor chooses to continue playing his political games and vetoes any of these, it is just as vital the Legislature show that it means business and stand up for trans people by overriding his veto. We hope you will demonstrate the spine that Mr. Newsom seems to have sold.
Pleading, Conciliatory to Newsom:
Hello, Gov. Newsom. I’m a California voter and I must express my terror at your words on your podcast today, which align you with far-right talking points against transgender people and against [myself and] the people I love. Your words are a betrayal of the support you have shown the LGBTQ+ community and destroys some of the good work you have already done in that regard. I’ve voted for you in every election you’ve been in thus far and was proud to see you fight off multiple recalls from the same people you are now looking to appease. You have often been the standard bearer for the values we hold dear in California, but your comments this morning jeopardize that.
I ask that you reconsider your position and issue a statement that disavows your comments on your podcast. It hurts to see a politician I had once admired go down this dark path and I ask that you do what you know is right. One of the many problems with politicians nowadays is that they’re willing to bend with whatever political winds are blowing at the time, but you’ve shown the courage to fight back when you began issuing marriage licenses for same-sex couples as mayor of SF. I ask you reach back to that history and find that fight again. I ask you find a way to reaffirm your support for trans people, especially trans athletes, especially during this time when those who hate us are using us as scapegoats.
Angry Establishment Politics to Newsom:
Hello, Gov. Newsom: I’m a California voter and I have to say, your comments about trans people on your podcast today were nothing short of despicable. At a time when Democrats need direction and leadership, you bowed to Charlie Kirk, of all people. A man who has never represented anyone, has never stood for anyone, has never felt the weight of responsibility or public trust. Unlike you. At a time when Trump and MAGA are so nakedly scapegoating immigrants, federal workers and trans people, you chose a pitchfork instead of a shield. This is an act of cowardice, unbecoming of someone I had hoped to one day see as president
I get that you feel you have to play the game. I get that the politics look bad right now. But you know as well as anyone that these games the Republicans are playing are distractions and you are helping them distract from what is actually happening. I didn’t vote for you because you went where the political winds took you. Among other things, you took a brave stand and affirmed your strong support for gays and lesbians to marry the people they love. That’s the guy I want to see fighting for [me and] my loved ones. That’s what’s going to get you the Presidency: strength and force in your convictions, not this mealymouthed kowtowing to one of the internet’s worst denizens. I expect better from you. Do whatever you gotta do, say whatever you gotta say, but find your backbone and stand with us. I would not vote for someone who changes their positions so easily and I know plenty who agree with me.