Occupy Washington: Expand and extend benefits for the 99%

If Congress doesn’t act in the next few weeks, the average American family will see their taxes increase by $1,000 next year. However if Congress does act, President Obama’s proposed payroll tax cut “holiday” would put an extra $1,550 in the pockets of the same family. You can see the state-by-state breakdown here.

As LGBT people in this country we face lower annual incomes and increased levels of poverty. LGBT people of color and others with low-income have benefitted this year from the tax “holiday” and we can’t afford to have our taxes raised while the 1% continue to receive tax breaks.

As cited in Injustice at Every Turn: A Report of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, from the Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality, we know that transgender people are four times more likely to be living in a household income of less than $10,000. Now is the time to support people in need by extending unemployment benefits and continuing the payroll tax holiday with an increased percentage. It is also critical to preserve Social Security and other programs that increase financial stability for vulnerable populations.

This week, thousands of people will converge on the nation’s capital to show Congress what democracy looks like, shine a light on corporate greed and the human suffering it has caused, and demand justice for the 99%. The Task Force is proud to support these four days of peaceful actions, speak-outs, and protests. Click here to join them.

On Tuesday, December 6, protesters will march to Capitol Hill to “Take Back the People’s House” visiting congressional offices, to remind Members of Congress that the Capitol is the People’s House, and demand that they represent the 99%. LGBT people are the 99% and we stand strong with the protests against wealth, power, and greed.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force works at the intersections of sexual orientation, gender identity, race and economic injustice. As part of our campaign to promote the economic security of LGBT people and families, we invite you to take these steps:

First, call your representative and senators at 866-584-1021 and remind them that we deserve our fair share.

Tell them to:

• Extend and expand the payroll tax holiday for another year;

• Extend the unemployment benefits for the long-time unemployed who can’t find jobs; and

• Pay for both of these actions by raising taxes on millionaires and billionaires who should pay their fair share of taxes.

And while you’re at it, sign the petition telling the federal government to count LGBT people! We are the 99%, but without data, LGBT people are invisible in the eyes of our government.

Demand economic justice for LGBT people and all who are suffering under the current unfair system.