From Awareness to Action: How to Effectively Advocate for Evidence-Based Policies
As a research-focused nonprofit, Just Humans is committed to educating and empowering communities with facts and scientific analysis. This event will provide attendees with step-by-step guidance on reaching out to their local representatives, email and phone templates, and a breakdown of key scientific and legal research related to current policy discussions.
📢 What You’ll Learn:
✔️ How to find & contact your legislators – identifying key decision-makers in South Carolina.
✔️ How to craft an effective email or phone script – using research-based advocacy.
✔️ Understanding evidence-based policy – refuting misinformation with science and legal precedent.
✔️ Ways to stay engaged & amplify accurate information.
Advocacy Through Education: Why This Workshop Matters
At Just Humans, we believe in research-driven action. Misinformation has increasingly influenced legislative discussions, particularly around gender identity, public safety, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. This workshop aims to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to engage with policymakers in a fact-based, impactful way.
📜 How to Find and Contact Your Legislators
Before reaching out to policymakers, it’s essential to know who represents you at the state and federal levels. Understanding your legislators' roles, responsibilities, and contact information allows you to engage effectively with fact-based advocacy.
While Just Humans is based in South Carolina, these resources will help anyone in the U.S. locate and connect with their representatives.
🔍 Find Your South Carolina State Legislators
To identify your State House and Senate representatives, visit:
South Carolina State Legislature Website: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/
Click “Find Your Legislators” and enter your home address to retrieve their names, districts, and contact information.
Additional SC Resources:
South Carolina House of Representatives Directory: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/house.php
South Carolina Senate Directory: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/senate.php
🔍 Find Your Federal Legislators
To identify your U.S. Senators and Representatives, visit:
Congress.gov – Find Your Member: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
Enter your ZIP code to retrieve contact details for your federal representatives in the U.S. House and Senate.
Additional Federal Resources:
U.S. Senate Directory: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
U.S. House of Representatives Directory: https://www.house.gov/representatives
📞 How to Call & Email Your Legislators
To make your message clear and impactful, it’s essential to use well-structured, research-backed statements. Below are recommended phone and email templates designed to refute misinformation while remaining professional and effective.
📞 Sample Phone Script:
"Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a constituent from [Your City or County]. I’m calling to urge [Representative/Senator’s Name] to oppose policies that misrepresent science, particularly the recent executive order on gender definitions.
Scientific research confirms that biological sex is complex, and legal precedents protect gender identity under the Civil Rights Act and ADA. Policies should be guided by facts, not misinformation.
Can I count on [Legislator’s Name] to support evidence-based policymaking?"*
📢 Pro Tip: Legislators track constituent calls. Even a quick call increases visibility on issues that matter.
📧 Email Template:
📌 Subject: Support Science-Based Policies – Opposing the Gender Definition EO
Dear [Legislator’s Name],
I am a constituent from [Your City or County] and urge you to oppose policies that misrepresent science and restrict the rights of marginalized communities.
Scientific research shows that sex is not strictly binary—neurological studies confirm that gender identity is biologically influenced. Additionally, public safety data refutes claims that gender-affirming policies create risks.
I ask that you support evidence-based legislation that protects all South Carolinians. Please let me know where you stand on this issue.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
📖 Refuting Misinformation with Research
Many arguments used to justify restrictive gender policies are not supported by science or legal precedent. Just Humans has compiled key findings to help counter common claims:
🔬 Claim: Sex is binary & determined at conception.
✅ Fact: 1.7% of people are born intersex, and sex differentiation involves genes, hormones, and environmental factors (Fausto-Sterling, 2000).
⚖️ Claim: Gender identity is ideological, not biological.
✅ Fact: MRI studies confirm transgender individuals’ brains align with their affirmed gender, not assigned sex (Kurth et al., 2022).
📊 Claim: Trans-inclusive policies pose safety risks.
✅ Fact: FBI and U.S. Sentencing Commission data show no link between trans-inclusive policies and crime rates—but trans individuals face higher rates of violence (James et al., 2016).
Taking the Next Steps
This workshop is designed to equip you with the tools needed to advocate effectively and responsibly. Legislation should be guided by facts, not ideology—and your voice matters in ensuring evidence-based policymaking.
📌 Stay informed, stay engaged, and help amplify research-based advocacy.
