NATIONAL FEDERATION OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S CLUBS (NFBPWC) ADVOCACY PLATFORM 2024 - 2026

NFBPWC will employ several education, advocacy, monitoring, and tracking strategies to meet the following priorities:

The Alice Paul Equal Rights Amendment shall stand first and foremost above all other items of the advocacy platform until Equal Rights have been guaranteed in the United States Constitution - i.e. "Equality of Rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."

Human Rights - recognition that women's rights are human rights

• Support:
• • The Alice Paul Equal Rights Amendment.
  • Passage of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
  • Equal rights for historically marginalized groups, encompassing, but not restricted to, Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
  • Universal background checks for all firearm purchases.
  • The Violence Against Women Act; especially when reauthorization is required.
  • Fair and equal access to education, including sufficient funding for public education ranging from early childhood education to post-secondary/ higher education.
  • Policies and practices that promote environmental sustainability.
  • Empower and enhance the well-being of military-affiliated women.
  • Equitable treatment of any women who are arrested, detained, or incarcerated.
  • Privacy rights of women, especially regarding their health, sexual and relationship history, and personal and digital data.
  • Protection of human rights and equitable treatment of all migrants, including refugees and asylum seekers.
  • Eradicate Domestic Violence and Electronic and Physical stalking, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and discrimination.
  • Oppose human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and all forms of slavery.

Economic Equity and Justice

• Support the elimination of Forced Arbitration as the sole means of dispute resolution.
• Access to:
• • Education, training, and promotional opportunities.
  • Equal opportunities in the workplace and on corporate boards.
  • Procurement procedures that facilitate opportunities for women-owned or women-led enterprises.
  • Quality, affordable dependent care (child, elderly, or disabled).
  • Funding and capital for entrepreneurial activity.
  • Affordable and attainable housing.

Health Equity and Justice

• Support for reproductive justice.
• Access to affordable reproductive healthcare; including but not limited to; contraception, assisted reproduction techniques, and abortion care.
• Support for paid sick, family, and medical leave.
• Elimination of gender bias in research funding .
• Health education funding for women's and girl's health issues.
• Prevention of discrimination against pregnancy and infant care in the workplace (e.g. reasonable accommodations for breastfeeding/breast pumping and other pregnancy /maternity conditions.)
• Ensure workplace safety.
• Expansion of mental health coverage and services .

Approved on July 20, 2024: NFBPWC Biennial General Assembly, King of Prussia, PA

Part of what the LGBTQ+ liaison does is to provide education and awareness about the community. Hopefully, these links and information will help.

There is a lot of legislation and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community these days. That’s why it’s important to connect with them as allies in your local area. Each month I’ll be featuring some groups and organizations that you can get to know and perhaps connect with and hear their stories.

Free Mom Hugs

Founded by a fierce advocate and mother, Free Mom Hugs provides visibility, conversation, and education with the hope of reconciling relationships. They sincerely believe that broken family relationships can be restored, and work to equip family members, friends, and allies with valuable resources so they can love well.

Their goal is not to replace family relationships, but to display individual’s celebration and love for the LGBTQIA+ community so that family members feel encouraged to do the same. Though  they’re known as Free Mom Hugs, dads, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, grandparents, and friends are encouraged to be part of this movement of inclusion fueled by love.

The organization’s desire is that this work can restore relationships, and that families are reconciled through the hope and power of Sara and Parker’s story. https://freemomhugs.org/

---

In honor of this month’s theme:

Heart of a Woman

• Queer Love Poems: Love is love, poetry by and for LGBTQ+ folks. https://tinyurl.com/yeyddvsw
• Unsung heroes: Six queer moms who revolutionized LGBTQ+ family building. https://tinyurl.com/3z7vudhk

---

Black Trans Advocacy Coalition

Through a national advocacy center, a network of affiliate state chapters, and communities across the globe they work daily, advocating to end poverty, discrimination in all forms, and the inequities in health, employment, housing, and education that are rooted in systemic racism, to improve the lived experience of transgender people.

Their work is based on peace building, community education, public policy initiatives, empowerment programs, and direct services. Additionally, they work to increase diversity, inclusion, and equality for all people. The Black Trans Advocacy Coalition is led by the Black Transmen, Inc., Black Transwomen, Inc., and Black Trans MX nonprofit organizations. https://blacktrans.org/

---

Good LGBTQ+ News

Gender-affirming care helped detect this woman’s cancer & save her life https:// tinyurl.com/5fyryh88

Democrats successfully strip all anti-trans riders from final appropriations bills https://tinyurl.com/w95bedy3

---

IMPORTANT LGBTQ+ HOTLINES & RESOURCES FOR ALLIES TOO

• 100 Organizations Supporting Trans People in All 50 States—donations welcome: https://tinyurl.com/3vdz89e5
• Ali Forney Day Center: 212.206.0574
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 800.342.AIDS (2437), Spanish 800.344432
• TDD service for the deaf: 800.243.7889. All lines available 10:00am to 10:00pm EST, Monday through Friday.
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender National Hotline: 888.843.4564
• GLBT National Youth Talkline (youth serving youth through age 25): 800.246.7743
• Guide to Being an Ally to LGBTQ+ People: https://tinyurl.com/ycy8eezz
• Journalist Resource Series: Guide for Reporting on Anti-Trans Violence: https://tinyurl.com/53cbmkj8 
• National Runaway Switchboard: 800.RUNAWAY (786.2929)
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800.273.8255
• Transgender Michigan: 855-345-TGMI (8464)
• Trevor Project: 866.488.7386

---

This month’s LGBTQ+ celebrations

• February 7: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
• February 12: National Freedom to Marry Day
• February 13: Self-Love Day
• February 14: National Condom Day
• Week after Valentine’s Day (February 16-22): Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week
• February 22: Chosen Family Day
• February 25: Anti-Bullying Day
• February 28: HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day

February is Black History Month, National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, and the International Month of Black Women in The Arts
(https://www.history.com/articles/black-women-in-art-and-literature)

Susan Oser
Advocacy LGBTQ

Equal Means Equal vs. Donald Trump

This case is a challenge to the Military Se-lective Service Act (MSSA), 50 U.S.C. § 3801 et seq., which requires male citizens to register for the draft but bars women from doing so.

A hearing on the motion to dismiss was scheduled for November 17, 2025. It did not happen. Then another hearing was scheduled for December. It did not hap-pen.

The hearing on the motion to dismiss the case for failure to state a claim was reset for March 24, 2026 (remote only) before Judge William G. Young. Please check the Court schedule.

In order to gain access to the hearing, you must sign up here in advance.

For questions regarding access to hear-ings, you may refer to the general orders and public notices of the Court available on www.mad.uscourts.gov or contact the session here (KB) (Entered: 12/10/2025)

In 1916, two suffragists drove a bright gold Saxon motorcar called the Golden Flyer 10,700 miles across America. Why? Because women couldn’t vote and politicians were stalling. Today, Carolyn Maloney of Sign4ERA.org is telling their story to illustrate that today the Equal Rights Amendment is in the exact place suffrage was then.

We know that women de-serve full constitutional equality. But here we are in 2026 watching politicians stall the final step that would make equality enforceable.

How can we win and why 2026 is the year:

Now is the time to decide how you will participate in the campaign of Driving the Vote for Equality.

Congressional Updates from the Alice Paul web site

The Equal Rights Amendment was intro-duced in the House and Senate during Women’s History Month (March) in 2025.

Representative Press-ley’s Bill HJ Resolution 80 now has 215 co-sponsors, including Representative Bobby Scott. We still have three members, Adam Grey, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Henry Cuellar whose signatures are needed.

Co-sponsors of Bill SJ Resolution 38, Senator Murkowski and Senator Hirano are working to-gether to secure more Senators sign on.

The Senate bill is a companion bill to the House Resolution and the two bills share the same name: a joint resolution establishing the ratification of the Equal Rights Amend-ment.

The ERA Coalition meets twice every month, and we are learning how to place the ERA into our “250” events. More on this topic next month.

Lastly, a belated Happy Birthday to Alice Paul, (1885-1977) whose birthday was celebrated on January 11th at the Alice Paul Institute. No woman deserves the “Heart of a Woman” recognition more than this Quaker from New Jersey who, using tactics she’d learned in England, led the militant wing of the movement to rati-fy the 19th Amendment—giving women the right to vote. Her whole life was dedi-cated to fighting for women’s equality.

She was fond of saying, “There will never be a new world order until women are part of it.” May we keep her memory alive and keep marching forward.

Nancy Werner
Advocacy ERA

Advocacy LGBTQ+

Since anti-transgender rhetoric and actions seem to be on everyone’s mind in the current political climate, it’s important to keep the information and education flowing and going on this issue and how communities and LGBTQ+ groups are fighting back. Part of what NFBPWC’s LGBTQ+ liaison does is provide education and awareness about the community. Hopefully, these links and information will help.

Note on the holidays

If you have a friend or family member that needs a place to celebrate the holidays, please open your heart and doors to them. This can be a very difficult time for the LGBTQ+ community.

Some heartwarming and encouraging stories in honor of this month’s theme: Celebrate and Anticipate

• Robert De Niro’s trans daughter gushes over his “nonstop” support: “He’s very good at being a dad” https://tinyurl.com/yssdy2ft
• “Happiness looks fantastic on her”: Here’s what parents wish folks knew about their trans kids https:// tinyurl.com/3rwcnyvs
• This supportive dad wanted to stand up for his trans kids,so he did something truly surprising https:// tinyurl.com/mr4sz9u7

Good LGBTQ+ News

• Over 60,000 women signed a letter in support of trans women and calling out “false feminism” https:// tinyurl.com/39ep64zy 
• An “incredibly proud mama” asked for help renaming her trans daughter. The internet melted https:// tinyurl.com/3pfw5juy
• HRC Honors Frances Thompson, a Black Transgender Hero https:// tinyurl.com/yzfutep6

Victory in Michigan!

After hours of testimony, Michigan’s State Board of Education approvednew state health education standards—its first update since 2007—by a 6–2 vote. The revised standards expand objectives related to LGBTQ+ relationships, gender identity, and other essential areas of student health and well-being.

Throughout the process, school board members faced waves of harmful rhetoric and misinformation, yet remained committed to evidence-based, inclusive education.

PFLAG members and supporters in Michigan sent nearly 300 messages to the Board, chapter presidents from Detroit and Plymouth testified, and five chapters joined PFLAG National in submitting written comments in support of the updates.

Here is the message they sent, “PFLAG National and PFLAG Michigan chapters in Detroit, Great Lakes Bay Region, Manistee, Monroe, and Plymouth/Canton applaud the State Board of Education for adopting inclusive updates to the Michigan Health Education Standards Framework. LGBTQ+ youth are facing growing challenges in schools from outside actors—from book bans to classroom censorship to efforts to erase their identities. The Board’s decision to strengthen lessons on inclusion, mental health, consent, and decision-making sends a powerful message of respect and support for LGBTQ+ students and their families. We are deeply grateful to the Board members for their leadership, and to our PFLAG chapter members in Michigan whose advocacy helped make this important vote possible.” It was signed by Katie Blair, PFLAG National Vice President, Advocacy.

Transgender Michigan’s Helpline

This is one of the helplines listed each month in our reminder of places you can share with those who might need help.

Their message:

Do you need someone to talk to? Do you wish you could talk to another transgender person? In times like these, the help line is even more crucial. You are not alone!

Our team, led by our Executive Director Rachel Crandall Crocker, LMSW, ACSW, is ready to take your calls if you have questions, concerns, or if you just need to vent. Call us toll free on 855-345-TGMI (855-345-8464).

Susan Oser
Advocacy LGBTQ+ Lead

Last month I asked you to tell us about your memories of allies in your work lives.

This one is from Sharon Simmons, BPW CO and WA.

A Real-Life Genie in the Classroom

A great ally and real first mentor was Mrs. Gold, who looked like a tiny version of Barbara Eden, the star of the 1960s television hit I Dream of Jeannie.

So cute.

She taught ninth grade speech at Centennial Jr High in Boulder CO.

Mrs. Gold had us do impromptu speeches in front of an auditorium full of students. We had to go onto the stage and pull a slip from a bowl and discuss whatever topic was on that piece of paper.

I did OK on debates about guns, birth control, etc.

Things I was already passionately interested in. Then, one day, I got on the stage and pulled a slip that said SAILBOATS.

Excuse me? What?

I stood in shock as she started her stopwatch! I know nothing about sailboats or any other boats. I froze. Can you image? Me, freezing. First time I’d ever had stage fright!

She said, if you don’t know, make it up or talk about the fact that you don’t know. Holy cats!

I got through it, shaking and sweating. Mrs. Gold told us we would encounter this kind of thin in life. She said, “If you want to speak publicly, be ready for anything!!”

I still think of her to this day! She wanted me to stay in touch. Life got away from me, but I won’t ever forget that little blonde in high heels with her hair up perfectly every day.

If I could find her, I’d say, “I still know nothing about sailboats, but I know a lot about public speaking. Thanks so much!!”

Since the anti-transgender agenda seems to be at the top of the current political climate, it’s important to keep the information and education flowing and going on how communities and LGBTQ+ groups are fighting back.

Here are some links to help with that effort.

• Lansing City Council Unanimously Declares City an LGBTQ+ Welcoming Community
• https://tinyurl.com/yyjazvma
• Virgin Islands make history by allowing trans & intersex people to change their gender markers https:// tinyurl.com/5dk8x63d
• Zohran Mamdani honors trans activist Sylvia Rivera, says NYC will be a pro- trans “sanctuary city” https:// tinyurl.com/msv599pz
• Pope Leo  meets James  Martin, US priest known for LGBT ministry https://www.reuters.com/world/pope- leo-meets-james-martin-us-priest-known-lgbt-ministry-2025-09-01/

LGBTQ+ Dates for November:

• First Sunday of November: Transgender Parent Day
• November 13 – 19: Transgender Awareness Week
• November 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance

Good LGBTQ+ News:

• How an Evangelical Pastor in Michigan Became an Unlikely Ally to Daughter https://tinyurl.com/yckbxzwc
• Democratic attorneys general tell trans students, “We will never stop fighting for you!” https://tinyurl.com/ mr25r9mc
• 30 iconic musicians you may not know were LGBTQ+ https://tinyurl.com/ ytc396t5

If you have any news or a lead on anything related to LGBTQ+ news, issues, and/or organizations, or would like to help the LGBTQ+ Advocacy group educate others on these issues, please email health@nfbpwc.org. I am also available to give presentations at your club or answer any questions.

Susan Oser

Advocacy LGBTQ+ Lead

I started working, like most of us girls now in our 60-70s, babysitting during my evenings and weekends for $.50/hr., with an after-midnight bump to $.75!

Then at 17, (in 1972) I was off to the Kentucky Fried Chicken near our apartments –complete with gross uniforms of nylons, a short blue skort, and a lovely red and white striped button down shirt. Everything was greasy by the end of my shift! It was fun sliding on the grease to mop the floors. All this for a whopping $1.10/hr., and a full complement of male managers.

Fast forward to 1973 at Neidata Services in Boulder, CO and my favorite outfit – a dark purple power suit! Wow! it made me feel so important. I had a satiny white under panel, and I added black high heels, nylons, and of course jewelry and makeup – woohoo. I got a great promotion wearing that outfit! I also donned it for my dad’s funeral in 1989, head held high with confidence in my big shoulder pads and scared to death to speak.

Of course, I had hair like Farrah Faucet. Stylin’! And we did the Jane Fonda exercise routine together at lunch, and Richard Simmons at home.

Such a great era to be in big biz. I broke the glass ceiling several times, with the help of my mentor, Johnny K. Ellis. He believed that women were actually more intuitive than men and we moved up the corporate ladder together. He, of course, stayed in positions above me and everyone “just knew” I had slept my way to the top. Nope. Johnny was happy in a 20+ year relationship with Rich. But of course, I couldn’t tell anyone that. When he passed from HIV, the rumor mill said I was going to die. Nope again!

The roles of women in business have continued to expand – and I, for one, think big shoulder pads should.

The Equal Rights Amendment in the Courts!

Please be aware of the upcoming court case Equal vs. Equal vs. Trump on November 17, 2025, at 2 pm EST.

The Honorable Judge William G. Young will be presiding. If you are in the Boston area, please try to attend. If you cannot be there, please request an audio recording of the proceedings by contacting Mr. Matthew Paine, docket manager at 617.748.9157 at least 1 day before the hearing.

If you can attend: United States District Court for District of Massachusetts, John Joseph Moadley United States Courthouse, 1 Court house Way, Boston, MA 02210

Why is it so important?

On April 3, 2025, a lawsuit was filed in Massachusetts designed to amend the Constitution once and for all. It was filed by Kamal Lopez, leader of Equal Mean Equal. The issue in question is the Selective Service and who is compelled or forbidden to register. This current case comes as we have a case in California (Valame vs. Biden) filed by a man who says his rights under the Equal Rights Amendment have been violated because women are forbidden to register for Selective Service. He refused to register, protesting that women don’t have to register. Learning of this case, Wendy Murphy, legal advisor of Equal Means Equal, filed a case on behalf of individual plaintiffs and all women to demand that the United         State Government allow women to register for the Selective Service, if they choose to do so. This case is important to all women in America because the lawsuit claims the Selective Service law discriminates against men. The California case is about discrimination against men, while the Equal Means Equal case is about Equal Rights for Women. If we are ever before the Supreme Court that determines that women are fully equal citizens, it should be a case about women. “We have fought much too long and hard to allow a men’s rights case decide the legal status of women,” said Murphy.

Women have served this country, including in the military, since the beginning of our nation and they have fought in combat roles since 2015. Women have given their lives to protect the values of our American Democracy but remain unequal in American life.

One more item, this case has been rescheduled quite a few times. Make sure to make that call!

Congressional Updates:

House bill HK Res 80 has 213 cosponsors as of 10/16/25. The goal is 215. We have four members who still need to sign: Rep. Adam Gray (D-CA13), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-P01), Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX28),  and  Rep.  Bobby  Scott  (D-VA03).

Senator Murkowski’s Bill SJ Resolution 38 gained two more Senators before the Senate shutdown.

During the last Congressional session, the ERA Caucus was established with Representatives Ayanna Pressley and Jennifer McClellan as the co-chairs. They have rescheduled an event for when the House is back in session.

THE ERA IS THE LAW OF THE LAND.

Three Key Points to share when discussing the ERA:

Nancy Werner

Advocacy ERA Lead

2022-2026

Since the anti-transgender agenda seems to be on the minds of the current political climate, it’s important to keep the information and education flowing and going on this issue and how communities and LGBTQ+ groups are fighting back. Part of what the LGBTQ+ liaison does is provide education and awareness about the community. Hopefully, these links and information will help.

Some interesting news in honor of this month’s theme: Women Mean Business

• Tammy Baldwin Fights Back to Restore LGBTQ+ Youth Crisis Hotline https://tinyurl.com/rvyc6ymp
• Amy Sherald’s Black Trans Statue of Liberty is Making an Unscheduled Stop in Baltimore https://tinyurl.com/mv42skya

October is LGBTQ+ History Month!

Important dates this month:

• October 8: International Lesbian Day
• October 11: National Coming Out Day
• October 15: National Latinx HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
• October 15: International Pronouns Day
• October 16: Spirit Day
• October 19: National LGBT Center Awareness Day
• October 19-25: Asexual Awareness Week
• October 26: Intersex Awareness Day

Good LGBTQ+ News–

• How an Evangelical Pastor in Michigan Became an Unlikely Ally to His Trans Daughter https://tinyurl.com/yckbxzwc
• Democratic attorneys general tell trans students, “We will never stop fighting for you!” https://tinyurl.com/mr25r9mc

Helplines

• Ali Forney Day Center: 212.206.0574
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 800.342.AIDS (2437), Spanish 800.344432, TDD service for the deaf: 800.243.7889. All lines available 10:00am to 10:00pm EST, Monday through Friday.
•  Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender National Hotline: 888.843.4564
• GLBT National Youth Talkline (youth serving youth through age 25): 800.246.7743
• National Runaway Switchboard: 800.RUNAWAY (786.2929)
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800.273.8255
• Transgender Michigan’s Helpline: 855-345-TGMI (8464)
• Trevor Project:866.488.7386

If you have any news or a lead on anything related to LGBTQ+ news, issues, and/or organizations, or would like to help the LGBTQ+ Advocacy group educate others on these issues, please email me. I am also available to give presentations at your club or answer any questions.

Susan Oser

NFBPWC Advocacy Team

LGBTQ+ Lead

The Equal Rights Amendment is Our Focus 

“Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.”

Here’s something to work with: The ERA Coalition Tool Kit

The ERA Coalition tool kit is a resource that provides information and tools to support the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), a proposed constitutional amendment guaranteeing equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex. These toolkits aim to educate the public and activists on the purpose of the ERA and how to take action to ensure it becomes the 28th Amendment to the Constitution.

What the ERA Tool Kit provides:

• Information and education: The toolkit explains the history, purpose, and importance of the ERA, highlighting how it will serve as a fundamentallegal remedy against sex discrimination and strengthen legal tools to combat issues like pay inequity, workplace harassment, and barriers to healthcare.
• Call to action: Materials to encourage civic engagement and advocacy for the ERA, such as information for voters on candidate stances and ways to pressure elected officials.

• Resource for activists and the public: The tools are designed for broad use by individuals, organizations, and even journalists to help spread awareness and build support for the amendment.

Why the toolkit is needed:

• Addressing ongoing discrimination: Advocates argue that despite progress, systemic discrimination based on sex continues, making a constitutional amendment necessary to create a lasting legal framework for equality.
• Strengthening legal protections: The ERA would give Congress and the courts stronger authority to pass laws and make rulings that uphold sex-based equality.
  
• Securing a fundamental right: Theamendment aims to ensure that all individuals' fundamental human rights are reflected in and protected by the Constitution, regardless of sex.

Visit the ERA Coalition's official website for the links above and many other valuable insights and tools.

Equality Now: Another toolkit. This one is designed to support civil society organizations (CSOs), grassroots groups, and human rights amplifiers in advocating for gender equality and closing protection gaps in the United States in the lead-up to the review of the United States during the 50th Universal Periodic Review. It centers on the findings and recommendations from a joint submission by Equality Now and partners on gender equality and human rights violations.

Congressional Updates from the Alice Paul web site: Equal Rights Amendments were introduced in the House and Senate during March, which is Women’s History Month. Representative Pressley’s Bill (HJ Resolution 80) dropped on March 24 and now has 179 co-sponsors, with four added since the last count. The goal is to surpass the 215 from the 118th Congressional session.

Senator Murkowski’s Bill (SJ Resolution 38) dropped March 25, Equal Pay Day. Senator Mazie Hirano is the co-lead. The Senate bill is a companion bill to the House Resolution, and the two bills share the same name: a joint resolution establishing the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

During the last Congressional session, the ERA Caucus was established with Representatives Pressley and Jennifer McClellan as the co-chairs. The Caucus is planning to host an event with Congressional members and ERA advocates to restart the Caucus with new co-chairs.

Three Key Points

1. The ERA as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is a formality, there is nothing needed to make it valid. President Biden’s action confirmed what we already knew; the amendment fully met all the constitutional requirements with Virginia’s ratification on January 27, 2020.
2. Time limits are arbitrary. Time limits are not mentioned as part of the amending process in the Constitution.
3. The fight is now about Awareness and Education. We must ensure that people know the ERA is the law of the land, protecting people from gender- based discrimination in all aspects of life, from reproductive healthcare to workplace equality.

We need to continue to talk about the ERA and keep it in our conversations.

Keep Marching.

Nancy Werner
Advocacy Team ERA Lead
2022-2026

Since the anti-transgender agenda seems to be on the minds of the current political climate, it’s important to keep the information and education flowing and going on this issue and how communities and LGBTQ+ groups are fighting back. Part of what the LGBTQ+ liaison does is to provide education and awareness about the community. Hopefully, these links and information will help.

In honor of this month’s theme – Young BPW:

Atrium Health no longer providing gender-affirming care to trans youth - https://tinyurl.com/22umhytt

Pa. judge dismisses lawsuit from high school runner over trans student athlete - https://tinyurl.com/ytp55469

Transgender runner sues NCAA and Swarthmore College for track team removal - https://tinyurl.com/4ykn7424

For Your Information:

Seniors Teach “Lost” Life Skills to Students at an Intergenerational Summer Camp — And Find Connection in the Process - https://tinyurl.com/yrp25k9z

Helplines

The Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386

LGBTQ+ Dates for September:

September 18: National HIV/AIDS & Aging Awareness Day

Week of September 23: Bisexual+ Awareness Week, culminates in Celebrate Bisexuality Day on September 23

September 27: National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Good LGBTQ+ News:

2025 Stonewall Book Award winner highlights trans teens in the U.S. - https://tinyurl.com/msznk9xx

How Taylor Swift’s Music Gave a Trans Scholar Her Girlhood - https://tinyurl.com/yzh38ty4

Wisconsin father embraces his transgender daughter with ‘Clumsy Love,’ his new memoir – https://tinyurl.com/tj8rfxjn

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255

Ali Forney Day Center: (212) 206-0574

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Info: (800) 342-AIDS (2437), Spanish service: (800) 344- 7432, TDD service for the deaf: (800) 243-7889, [10:00am till 10:00pm EST, Monday through Friday]

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline: (888) 843-4564

The GLBT National Youth Talkline (youth serving youth through age 25): (800) 246-7743

The National Runaway Switchboard: (800) RUNAWAY (786-2929)

Transgender Michigan’s Helpline

Do you need someone to talk to? Do you wish you could talk to another transgender person? In times like these the help line is even more crucial. You are not alone!

Our team lead by our Executive Director, Rachel Crandall Crocker, LMSW, ACSW (a clinical social worker) is ready anytime to take your calls with questions or if you just need to vent.

Call us toll free at 855-345-TGMI (855-345-8464)

If you have any news or lead on anything related to LGBTQ+ news, issues, and organizations, please contact Sue Oser at soser@nfbpwc.org. If you would like to help Susan educate on these issues, please let her know as well. She is also available for presentations and any questions you may have.

Susan Oser
NFBPWC Advocacy Team
LGBTQ+ Lead

Equal Rights Amendment – There is ALWAYS Something Going on

Advocacy –Equal Rights Amendment. Part 1 - “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.”

1. Give Congress the power to force the ERA through legislation.

2. The amendment takes effect two years after its ratified.

The ERA Coalition continues to meet regularly and discuss the Equal Rights Amendment.

Latest news-

Women's Equality Day Social Media Toolkit - “It’s our Era: Claim the 28th Amendment”

By connecting Women’s Equality Day to the fight for the ERA, you are helping to claim the 28th Amendment and  make  clear  that  equality  belongs  in  the

Constitution. Your posts and voices amplify the truth: the ERA is the 28th Amendment. Together,wecansecure constitutional equalityfor everyone.

ERA Coalition has a video that will be released at 9 am EST.

There will also be a YouTube link. ERA Coalition

1. Our rights are being pushed back — from our bodies to our paychecks to our dignity. That’s why we pledge our belief in the Equal Rights Amendment — the 28th Amendment to our Constitution.

2. Equality isn’t just a women’s issue — it’s for everyone!

Campaigns you should know about.

Equality Now: This toolkit is designed to support civil society organizations (CSOs), grassroots groups, and human rights amplifiers in advocating for gender equality and closing protection gaps in the United States, in the lead-up to the review of the United States during the 50th Universal Periodic Review. It centers on the findings and recommendations from a joint submission by Equality Now and partners on gender equality and human rights violations.

https://equalitynow.org/resource/toolkits-for-csos/civil-society-organisation-toolkit-gender-equality-protection-gaps-in-the-united-states/

We Persist National Day of Action is a campaign to encourage groups and organizations to do something to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. The media will be looking for stories to do on that day so this a great opportunity to get earned media about how the current regime is eroding women’s rights.

#WePersist https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A6BEGaqS95QtHVYfEUOe4L4NexMgOEOP9nCehjms3OE/edit

?tab=t

Congressional Updates from the Alice Paul web site: The Equal Rights Amendments were introduced in the House and Senate during March-Women’s History Month. Representative Pressley’s Bill HJ Resolution 80 dropped on March 24 and now has 179 co-sponsors. There are 4 more added since the last count. The goal to surpass the 215 bipartisan list of cosponsors from the 118^th Congressional session is still being sought.

Senator Murkowski’s Bill SJ Resolution 38 dropped March 25^th on Equal Pay Day. Senator Mazie Hirano is the co-lead. The Senate bill is a companion bill to the House Resolution and the two bills share the same name: a joint resolution establishing the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

During the last Congressional session, the ERA Caucus was established with Representatives Pressley and Jennifer McClellan as the co-chairs. The Caucus is planning to host an event later this summer with Congressional members and ERA advocates to restart the Caucus with new co-chairs.

I am still exploring the AI business into our ERA. AI is having a way of distorting information as we know it. Please be careful if googling ERA for any presentation materials.

My last item to share is a paper on talking points –The ERA IS THE LAW OF THE LAND. Three Key Points to share: 1. The Era is the 28^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is a formality, not something needed to make it valid. President Biden’s action confirmed what we already knew-the amendment fully met all the constitutional requirements with Virginia’s ratification on January 27, 2020.

1. Time limits are arbitrary. Time limits are not mention as part of the amending process in the Constitution.

2. The fight is now about Awareness and Education. We must ensure that people know the ERA is the law of the land, protecting people from gender-based discrimination in all aspects of life, from reproductive healthcare to workplace equality.

We need to continue to talk about the ERA and keep it in our conversations.

Hard to believe that it was two years ago, that Denice Robinson and I traveled to Seneca Falls of for the 100^th Anniversary of Alice Paul’s reading of her Equal Rights Amendment. But still harder to believe how time flies, as we visited her home, Paulsdale, in July of 2024 as part of the Biennial Conference.

We have to keep marching. 

Nancy Werner
Advocacy Team ERA Lead
2022-2026