Monday, April 5, 2021

What I can do about Arkansas




 Make your voice heard:


Reach out to USAC

USA Cycling President & CEO, Rob DeMartini: RobD@usacycling.org

Board of Directors: BOD@usacycling.org


Fayetteville 2022

https://fayetteville2022.com/contact/


Reach out to Fayetteville

mayor@fayetteville-ar.gov 


Reach out to the governor

https://governor.arkansas.gov/online-services/contact-us/


Contact Allied Bicycles

https://alliedcycleworks.com


Contact Rapha

usa@rapha.cc


Contact Walton foundation

info@wffmail.com  



What would I say?


Brands: 

I am writing you to express my concern over the recent anti-transgender legislation in Arkansas. This is an assault on human rights. I will not support your brand until you make an explicit statement on where you stand and lay out some concrete steps you are taking to address this situation.   


Officials in Arkansas:

I am writing you to express my concern over the recent anti-transgender legislation in Arkansas. This is an assault on human rights. I was planning on visiting your state for both the 2021 Cyclocross World Cup & 2022 World Championship, but cannot do so in good conscience based on the horrific nature of this legislation. While I know that this does not represent the views of all the people of Arkansas, this kind of hateful legislation needs to be opposed by whatever means a person has, and currently I can only vote with my wallet by refusing to visit the state or support companies based in your state.


Human Rights are more important than bike racing.


USAC:
Arkansas’s recent passage of multiple anti-trans sports and healthcare laws are a completely unacceptable attack on human rights that single out some of the most vulnerable people in society. 


Human rights are more important than bicycle racing.


In the face of such hateful legislation, it is critical that we stand up as people, as teams, and as organizations to oppose this assault on human rights.


I am asking you to take whatever action you can to lobby the UCI to move the 2021 Cyclocross World Cup & 2022 World Championship out of Arkansas and to a location that is safe and open to all athletes. I also call upon USAC to:


-Make an explicit statement via official USAC channels denouncing the Arkansas legislation to clearly align USA Cycling with our queer and trans athletes

-Refuse to send Team USA athletes to either race unless they are relocated to a state that does not restrict the rights of trans athletes to compete (in any sports event, not just the two named) and that does not restrict the rights of trans athletes to compete safely.

-Contact Governor Hutchinson to explain how this negatively impacts Arkansas's economy, constituents and cycling.



Organizations you could support:


NW Arkansas Equality

https://nwaequality.org


Human Rights Campaign

https://give.hrc.org/page/62714/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=or_gnr_hrc_homepage2020 


The Trevor Project

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