Newsletter: October 2021

Dear Friend,

This autumn, we’re excited to share with you the incredible progress made by Lift Our Voices in the past few months.

SIGN OUR SURVIVORS’ LETTER TO U.S HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP

As you know, for nearly four years we’ve championed legislative fixes at the federal level to ensure survivors have the ability to speak out, and we are another step closer to getting a bill passed that helps to further that critical mission. Our letter in support of bipartisan federal legislation (S. 2342 and H.R. 4445) sponsored by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Morgan Griffith (R-VA), and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) asks members of Congress to end forced arbitration and the abuse it enables, on behalf of sexual assault and harassment survivors. Legislators, as well as you, have the power to stand up against legal mechanisms like forced arbitration clauses that prohibit victims from telling their stories. This legislation is incredibly personal to us and we would like your help! 

With this letter, we urge Congress to put a stop to forced arbitration once and for all by passing the End Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021. Join us by signing the letter to congressional leadership urging Congress to act now.  

GRETCHEN CARLSON GUESTS HOSTS THE VIEW: OCTOBER 25TH AND 26TH

Don’t miss our own Gretchen Carlson as the guest host of The View on Monday, October 25 and Tuesday, October 26. Tune in to ABC at 11:00 a.m. ET to hear her talk about her work at Lift Our Voices and more.

BIG STRIDES ACROSS THE COUNTRY

In addition to our effort to advocate for federal law to protect survivors’ right to speak out, Lift Our Voices continues to advocate for sexual harassment legislation in states across the country.

On September 14, Gretchen and Julie testified before the Massachusetts State Legislature on behalf of Senate Bill 2047, which would prohibit taxpayer-funded nondisclosure agreements and allow survivors to speak their truth. Joan Vennochi interviewed them about Lift Our Voices’ work for a column in the Boston Globe.

JULIE AND GRETCHEN TESTIFY BEFORE THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE LEGISLATURE.

In a major victory in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the Silenced No More Act on October 8. The law bars California companies from using NDAs in settlement and severance agreements to stop workers from publicly discussing cases of sexual harassment, discrimination and assault in the workplace. This type of legislation is key to protecting survivors of sexual harassment and amplifying the voices of workers across the country. We are so grateful for the many people who worked hard to get this bill passed – it was a tremendous victory!
You can read more about the new law here.

GRETCHEN AND JULIE TALK WITH KATIE COURIC MEDIA

Check out Lift Our Voices’ most recent feature! Read our co-founders’ interview with Katie Couric.

Thank you for your continued support and generosity to protect American workers. If you would like to help our mission, please consider donating here.

— Gretchen Carlson and Julie Roginsky | Co-Founders, Lift Our Voices