The Amp

Today (Tuesday), the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in three cases about federal civil rights protections for LGBTQ people. The Court will decide whether Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sex discrimination in the workplace, excludes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. As the ACLU writes, “the Court will be deciding whether to strip LGBTQ people of federal civil rights protections in everything from employment to housing, health care to education.” Cite the values of Community, Voice, and Equality.

• Messaging and communication tools: Lambda Legal’s Sex and the Supreme Court: It's Not Just About LGBTQ Workers; Human Rights Campaigns’ More than 200 Major Businesses File Landmark Amicus Brief in Support of LGBTQ Workers; ACLU’s Supreme Court Agrees to Hear LGBTQ Workplace Discrimination Cases; The Opportunity Agenda’s Rise Above: Countering Fear-Based Messaging and Ten Tips for Putting Intersectionality into Practice; Los Angeles' Times New Supreme Court term will decide on ‘Dreamers,’ LGTBQ workplace rights and abortion
• Hashtags: #DontRollBackOurRights; #NoRighttoDiscriminate

Yet again, the Trump administration is trying to sidestep Congress and make cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP” or “food stamps”). Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture published another proposed rule that would cut $4.5 billion in benefits over five years. In short, the proposal would permit states to use households’ utility costs to help determine their amount of SNAP benefits. This would affect elderly people and people with disabilities the most. Discuss this proposal by citing the values of Community and Economic Security.

• Take action: Submit a “No” comment with FRAC’s useful tool and ask your networks to do the same. Dec. 2, 2019 is the deadline.
• Messaging and communication tools: #HandsOffSNAP coalition's digital toolkit and campaign webpage; Center on Budget and Policy Priorities' SNAP’s “Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility; The Opportunity Agenda's Talking About Poverty & Economic Opportunity Today: Three Core Pillars; Talking about Economic Justice and Shifting the Narrative on Poverty
• Hashtags:#HandsOffSNAP; #ProtectSNAP

Events and Cultural Hooks

• LGBT History Month
• See Us, Support Us Month (for children of incarcerated parents)
• Filipino American History Month
• End of LatinX/Hispanic Heritage Month: now until Tuesday, Oct. 15
• Mental Illness Awareness Week: now until Saturday, Oct. 12
• Supreme Court hears arguments re civil rights protections for LGBTQ people: Tuesday, Oct 8
• Webinar - Research Methodologies for Narrative Change Practice: Tuesday, Oct. 9
• Day of Action to #FightForHousingJustice: Thursday, Oct. 10
• National Coming Out Day: Friday, Oct. 11
• Indigenous Peoples Day (the reframing for Columbus Day): Monday, Oct. 14
• World Food Day: Wednesday, Oct. 16

Historical Anniversaries:

• Department of Homeland Security created: Oct. 8, 2001
• Cornerstone of the White House was laid: Oct. 13, 1792
• Black Panther Party for Self Defense founded: Oct. 15, 1966
• Black Power salute during Olympics: Oct 16, 1966

For a look further ahead in October, click here.

You don't need to wait each week for the Amp action alert to find out what's coming up. You can easily add our media hooks and events to your work calendar, which will automatically update when your refresh your calendar. Here's how:

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