Effectively lobbying your lawmaker

By learning how to effectively lobby your legislator, you can help secure their commitment to justice and equality for GLBT Minnesotans.

Plan Ahead

• Contact OutFront Minnesota to learn about your legislator's positions on issues important to the lives of GLBT Minnesotans. 
• Scan local newspapers and political journals. Call his or her office and ask questions regarding legislation.
• Develop a good understanding of our community's standing with your legislator's office.
• Prepare a short, personal story of how proposed legislation would affect your life or the lives of your loved ones. Explanations of how anti-GLBT legislation distracts us from more important issues are also effective.
• Invite your neighbors to join you in your district meeting with your legislator.
• Bring along your friends and family to join the thousands of fair-minded Minnesotans at the rally, and encourage them to register to speak to their legislators as well.

Conduct an Effective Meeting

• Dress appropriately, be on time, and show proper respect to your legislators. If you ask their respect as a citizen equal under the law, you must demonstrate your respect for them in turn.
• Introduce each person by name, telling what group they represent (if any), and what their concerns are.
• Start on a positive note by thanking the legislator for their time.
• Stick to your group's plan in presenting your concerns. Be clear, be honest, and be direct. Do not assume the legislator knows everything about the issue. As time allows, provide specific examples about how the problem affects your life.
• Always mention specific legislation by name or number.
• Never make threats—e.g. "Vote for this bill or we'll throw you out of office!"—and avoid delivering a lecture. Engaging the legislator in conversation is more effective.
• Ask specific questions that require specific answers. Try to get a solid commitment from your legislator for support on GLBT issues.
• Always end on a positive note, even if the legislator will not commit to supporting your position.

After the Meeting

• Write a thank you letter or email to your legislator.
• Follow up with your legislator, especially if during the meeting you promised to provide any additional information.
• Consider meeting with your legislator in the future to follow up on your issues. Feel free to contact Monica Meyer at mmeyer@outfront.org for help in setting up meetings in your district or at the Capitol.