URGENT: ‘No Condoms as Evidence’ Advocacy Needed Now

From The Sex Workers Project in New York State:

Dear Supporters of the ‘No Condoms as Evidence’ Bill,

Today we learned that the ‘No Condoms as Evidence’ Bill is on the Senate Codes Committee agenda for next Tuesday. The bill has only made it this far thanks to all of your actions, and we need to keep up the momentum. Please make a call if you can!

Remember:
• It is best to call the Senator from the district where you live or work, and mention that you are a constituent. You can find out who your State Senator is here: prototype.nytimes.com/represent.
• It is also helpful if larger, more “mainstream” organizations target the Republicans and moderate Democrat with a clear public health message, even if you are not a constituent.
• If you’re calling a bill sponsor or supporter, please thank them for supporting the bill and let them know why this matters to your organization/community.

I have attached talking points about the bill. They are drafted to show this a common sense public health measure that everyone can support. If you are able to make a call, please let us know!

Republicans:
Senator DeFrancisco (518) 455-3511
Senator Golden (518) 455-2730
Senator Volker 518.455.3471
Senator Flanagan 518-455-2071
Senator Bonacic (518) 455-3181
Senator Lanza (518) 455-3215
Senator Saland 518-455-2411

Moderate Democrat:
Senator Klein 518-455-3595/ (800) 718-2039

Democrats:
Senator Huntley (518) 455-3531
Senator Sampson (518) 455-2788
Senator Squadron 518-455-2625

Bill Sponsors and Supporters:
Senator Duane-Main Sponsor (518) 455-2451
Senator Breslin (518) 455-2225
Senator Perkins 518-455-2441
Senator Parker (518) 455-2580

Please forward to trusted allies, and thanks again for all your help!

Sincerely,

Sienna Baskin, Esq.
Staff Attorney
Sex Workers Project
Urban Justice Center
p/646-602-5695
http://www.sexworkersproject.org

Talking Points: ‘No Condoms as Evidence’ Bill!
Contacting Senate Codes Committee

1. Find your State Senator. Go to http://prototype.nytimes.com/represent.

2. Call their Albany office. Ask to speak with someone about Bill S1289, concerning use of condoms as evidence.

3. Tell the staff-member your name, what organization you represent, and if you live or work in the district.

4. If your Senator is a sponsor or supporter of Bill S1289, thank them for their support and let them know why this matters to you, your organization or community.

5. If your Senator is NOT a sponsor or supporter of the bill, tell the staff-member you are calling to ask the Senator to vote YES on Bill S1289 in the Codes Committee.

TALKING POINTS
o If the staff-member is completely unaware of the bill, explain that the bill will prevent the use of condoms as evidence of prostitution in criminal and civil court.
o The bill promotes public health by making sure everyone can carry condoms without worrying it could lead to arrest or conviction.
o Condoms are regularly confiscated by police, leading to higher risk for pregnancy, HIV, and STD’s among vulnerable populations. Sex workers fear arrest if they carry over a certain number of condoms.
o This impacts public health initiatives promoting condom use and distributing condoms to at-risk populations.
o This bill has a broad list of supporters, including the Center for Constitutional Rights, the Anti-Violence Project, NYCLU, the LGBT Center, and many other harm reduction and public health organizations.
d. Tell your representative why this matters to you or your organization/community.
e. End by asking the Senator to vote YES on Bill S1289 in the Codes Committee.