May 24 Meeting

SHORT VERSION:

In addition to some updates and announcements, we will have open discussion about:

1. the convention process, and discussion about who the delegates are supporting, for the benefit of delegates who are undecided;
2. initial discussions about the referendum questions, including transgender question, Fair Share amendment, paid family and medical leave, $15 minimum wage, etc.; and
3. discussion about the process of the Needham DTC endorsing referendum questions — should we?  and what level of vote should we require — 50%, or something more? Input will help us generate a policy.

We will take up a motion regarding transgender rights — whether to support the ballot question, and whether to co-sponsor local educational events. See longer discussion below.

LONGER VERSION

In addition to announcements and updates, the meeting will mostly be for discussion among members and friends. Here are the topics:

1. The convention on June 1-2: This is a time to allow questions and discussion about process. Also, delegates will be voting on Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary of State. If anyone is undecided about a particular office and would like to hear why others support a particular candidate for an office, we can discuss.
2. Referendum questions — substance: there are a number of questions that will, or may, be on the ballot in November. This will be an opportunity to gauge members’ interest in these questions. Here is a summary of the ballot questions and process:  http://ballotpedia.org/Massachusetts_2018_ballot_measures
3. Referendum questions — procedure: a discussion on a general policy for endorsing referendum questions. Should we? Should we require a super-majority?

PROPOSED MOTION RE TRANSGENDER EVENT(S) AND BALLOT QUESTION

Notwithstanding the discussion above, we will discuss, and potentially vote, on a motion relating to the transgender ballot question (see info below).

MOTION

Moved, that the Needham Democratic Town Committee: 

(1) authorizes the Needham DTC, under supervision of the Executive Committee, to co-sponsor one or more events by the Needham Coalition for Transgender Rights (NCTR) for educating the community about transgender issues; and

(2) endorses a YES vote on the ballot question for November 2018 to confirm support for An Act Relative to Transgender Anti-Discrimination (Chapter 134 of the Acts of 2016), and opposes efforts to repeal that Act.

EXPLANATIONS

Co-Sponsoring Event(s)

The NCTR is a group in Needham that includes a number of local active community groups.  The stated goal is to help educate the community on transgender rights in Massachusetts, and the challenge to these rights posed by the upcoming ballot question.

A community educational event is planned for June (which is why we would vote now), and there may be another event in the fall.  The June event will be called “A Community Conversation about Transgender Equality: Learn why it’s important now,” moderated by The Rev. Irene Monroe (www.irenemonroe.com). The event will include a panel of transgender people/allies and a representative of Freedom MA, the organization leading the charge to ensure that the movement to repeal Massachusetts transgender anti-discrimination law is defeated.  This event will take place Wednesday, June 6^th , 7:00 – 8:30 pm, at First Parish, Unitarian Universalist Church in Needham.

The EC could select which events to participate in, and on what terms.

Referendum 

A YES vote would be consistent with the 2017 Mass Democratic Platform, page 11, which envisioned this ballot initiative, and reads:  “Continuing broad-range support for LGBTQ+ rights, including protecting the transgender civil rights law and opposing all forms of so-called “conversion therapy.””

Here is a link to the referenced transgender civil rights law: http://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/Senate/S2407.

The specific ballot question is phrased as a confirmation, not as a repeal, and hence the YES vote.

This referendum would create no new rights, but only confirm the existing law.