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Mission & Description
Mission: To advance fairness, safety and opportunity for Georgia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied communities.
GE was founded in 1995. As Georgia’s largest statewide LGBT advocacy group, we work toward our mission through two partner organizations: Georgia Equality, Inc. and the Equality Foundation of Georgia.
Georgia Equality, Inc. undertakes political action to build a fair majority in Georgia. We are currently implementing the Campaign for a Fair Majority – our strategic plan for LGBT equality in Georgia. Year-round lobbying and strategic involvement in state and local elections are working to build a bi-partisan fair majority in the state legislature and among local elected officials across the state.
Equality Foundation of Georgia supports the Campaign for a Fair Majority through education, training, and analysis. Through the Equality Foundation of Georgia, we conduct voter registration and education activities, provide information and resources for effective communication with decision makers, and work to organize and mobilize LGBT residents and allies to advance fairness in urban, suburban, and rural communities across the state.
Accomplishments
When GE was established in 1995, the average Georgian had less exposure to LGBT people and was less educated about the issues that impact our lives than today. There were no openly gay elected officials in the state and the only legal protections we had against discrimination were in Atlanta.
Today, we have openly gay and lesbian elected officials in Atlanta, Decatur, East Point, Pine Lake, and in the General Assembly. We have even elected a transgender person to the Riverdale City Council. Seven cities and three counties have joined Atlanta in prohibiting discrimination, and several of these jurisdictions also offer domestic partner registries for citizens and benefits to city employees.
In the last decade, LGBT Georgians have come out in droves to their neighbors and colleagues. A majority of state lawmakers have friends and family members who are gay, and many of those, including those in the Republican leadership, openly admit that fact.
Georgia Equality has had a significant role in the progress made in the last 14 years. We’ve helped advance fairness, safety and opportunity for Georgia’s LGBT community on the following fronts:
Hate Crimes
- Passage of the Georgia Anti-Domestic Terrorism Act of 2000 (hate crimes law that no longer exists as the result of a 2004 Georgia Supreme Court ruling)
- Building coalition with law enforcement and other organizations to support new hate crimes legislation and ensure hearings in 2009
Domestic partners
- Passage of a state law securing the right of same-sex partners to ride in ambulances and have hospital visitation
- Domestic partnership benefits for the employees of four large Georgia-based companies: Coca-Cola, Atlanta Gas Light, BellSouth and Delta Air Lines
- Domestic partnership benefits for employees of Fulton County, City of Atlanta, DeKalb County, and Grady Health System
Workplace protection
- Non-discrimination ordinances for employees of Savannah, East Point, Clarkston, Doraville, Atlanta, Athens-Clarke County, Decatur, DeKalb and Fulton Counties, and Grady Health System
- Secured the first hearing in history at the Georgia General Assembly for legislation that would protect LGBT people from discrimination in the workplace
HIV/AIDS
- Full funding of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) for uninsured people living with HIV
- Passage of the first pro-active HIV prevention legislation in over a decade
- Developed the first state-wide coalition of providers and community advocates
School Safety
- Secured passage of state-wide anti-bullying law in 2010.
Adoption
- Prevented the introduction of a constitutional amendment that would have prohibited adoptions by LGBT couples
- Building coalition with non-LGBT specific groups to oppose anti-gay adoption legislation
And, we’ve helped elect people who understand our issues and will work on behalf of LGBT Georgians:
- Helped elect Cathy Woolard as the first openly-gay and first female President of the Atlanta City Council, Doraville Councilmember Brian Bates as the first openly-gay Republican in the Deep South, and former Riverdale Councilmember Michelle Bruce as one of only three transgender elected officials in the country, Alex Wan as the first openly-gay man on the Atlanta City Council, and Simone Bell as the first open-lesbian of color elected to state house in the nation.
- Increased the number of openly-LGBT elected officials from zero in 1997 to nine in 2007
- 85% scorecard for the 2008 state elections – including protecting 28 incumbent legislators and justices and playing a decisive roles in election of Rep. Dee Dawkins-Hagler, Rep. Rashad Taylor, and Appellate Court Justice Sarah Doyle as well as the defeat of notoriously anti-gay Sen. Nancy Shafer.
- 86% scorecard for the 2007 municipal elections – including wins in the Riverdale mayoral race and in 7 of the 9 Savannah city races – to lay the groundwork for passing pro-LGBT local ordinances
Staff
Jeff Graham, Executive Director
Jeff began his work in lesbian and gay politics in the mid-80's when he co-founded the first Gay and Lesbian Student Association in south Texas. Jeff moved to Atlanta in 1989 and served for five years as the media coordinator for the activist group ACT UP/Atlanta. For more than 13 years he served as the executive director of AIDS Survival Project, at statewide HIV advocacy organization. In addition to his work with Georgia Equality, he currently serves on the boards of directors for advocacy organizations such as the federal Communities Advocating Emergency AIDS Relief (CAEAR) Coalition and Georgians for a Healthy Future.
Jeff has received numerous awards and recognition for both his advocacy and nonprofit work from organizations such as the National Center for Human Rights Education, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Atlanta City Council and Southern Voice’s Best of Gay Atlanta. He was named the Grand Marshall of the 1999 Atlanta Pride celebration.
jeff@georgiaequality.org
Melinda Morgan, Operations Director
In 1993 Melinda Morgan began a career in the United States Air Force as an Operations Resource Manager. The following year she was named Air Combat Command Resource Manager of the Year. After four years of distinguished service, Morgan separated honorably and returned to her home State of Georgia, where she served an additional two years in the Air Force Reserve. She is a member of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, an organization dedicated to ending the military’s "Don’t Ask Don’t Tell" policy. In 2006, she appeared on Air America Radio as a guest commentator to discuss the policy. As an activist and outspoken defender of LGBT equality, Morgan has been featured in Southern Voice, Athens Banner Herald, and Chattanooga Times Free Press. She has been featured as an LGBT speaker at Atlanta’s Annual Black Gay Pride Parade, Savannah Pride, and Valdosta Pride. Morgan graduated from Oglethorpe University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Management in May 2006. She has been on the staff of Georgia Equality since 2004. In May 2010 Morgan and partner Suzanne were married in Vermont and currently reside in High Shoals, GA.
melinda@georgiaequality.org
Michael Brewer, Field Organizer
Michael J. Brewer, 23, is an outspoken writer, speaker, social commentator and burgeoning political voice. Brewer made national headlines in 2008 when he pioneered The “No More ‘No Homo’ Initiative”, a week of gay rights events at Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA) – the first of its kind at such an institution. The former co-president of Morehouse College’s gay rights group, Brewer is an active participant in the LGBT rights movement as a member of the Sweet Tea Southern Men's Queer Collective, the Atlanta Black LGBT Coalition, and the planning committee for the 3rd Annual “State of Black Gay America” Summit (Atlanta, GA). Locally, Brewer has been featured in the Southern Voice, and in 2009 was featured as the LGBT speaker at Atlanta’s Annual Martin Luther King Day Parade. Brewer has appeared as a guest commentator on “Talking with Spirit” on XM’s “The Power”, both “The Voice Project” and “WomanSpeak” on 89.3 FM WRFG, and has appeared locally on People’s TV “Pride” and nationally on MTVU’s “My Shot With…” and “The Dean’s List.”A two-time delegate of the Clinton Global Initiative University conference and named nationally as one of Out Magazine's "Out 100" in 2008, Brewer has also been featured in the LA Times, The Advocate, and several blog and web articles. Brewer currently serves as Chief-of-Staff to Georgia State Representative Alisha Thomas Morgan (HD-39), Field Organizer at Georgia Equality, the state’s largest advocacy organization for LGBT advocacy, and recently served as staff for the Black Alliance of Educational Options and Co-Chair of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s LGBT Advisory Committee. Brewer graduated from Morehouse College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in May 2009.
michael@georgiaequality.org
Board of Directors
Gail Cowie, Chair
Atlanta, GA
Gail Cowie has been involved with a number of feminist and LGBT rights organizations in Athens and Atlanta since the early 1980s. She has provided advocacy for survivors of violence against women, worked to protect access to legal abortion, advocated for LGBT rights locally and at the University of Georgia, and worked on local and state election campaigns. Most recently, she helped found Northeast Georgians Against Discrimination and Just Equal, coordinating Just Equal’s successful campaign for provision of domestic partner benefits by Athens-Clarke County. She has served on the boards or coordinating committees of a number of other Athens and Atlanta-based organizations, including Project Safe, AIDS Athens, the Atlanta Feminist Women’s Health Center, the University of Georgia’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Employees and Supporters (GLOBES) and the Georgia River Network. She joined the Equality Foundation of Georgia’s board in December 2007. In her “day job”, Gail focuses on environmental policy, currently working as a Senior Planning and Policy Adviser at the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
Brian Basinger, Secretary
Atlanta, GA
Brian joined the board in January 2009, after volunteering for various Georgia Equality events since 2002, such as campaign research and voter registration. Brian now works as an attorney in Atlanta, where he lives with his partner, Joshua Saunders. Brian is also on the board of the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia, and was previously the President of the Lesbian & Gay Law Student Association at the Georgia State University College of Law. He also served as a legal intern for former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Sears, and spent a summer in the legal department of the American Cancer Society. Prior to law school, Brian worked more than four years as a newspaper reporter covering the Georgia Legislature and state government for daily newspapers in Athens, Augusta, Brunswick, and Savannah, and did free-lance reporting for CNN, The Advocate, and Southern Voice.
Jamie Ensley, Treasurer
Atlanta, GA
Jamie serves as Treasurer for both Georgia Equality and the Equality Foundation of Georgia. He also serves as Secretary for the national board of the Log Cabin Republicans, President of the Georgia Log Cabin Republicans, 57th District Chairman of the Fulton County Republican Party, and Campaign Treasurer for Rep. Mike Jacobs. In addition, he also serves as Treasurer for the Atlanta Dogwood Festival and YouthPride. Jamie is a SBA Business Development Officer for Wells Fargo Bank.. He is an Atlanta native, but was raised in the mountains of North Georgia. He obtained a B.S. from Louisiana State University with a degree in Economics.
Kevin Clark
Savannah, GA
coming soon...
Jason Mayberry
Atlanta, GA
Jason is an Associate at Alston & Bird law firm. He focuses his practice on mass torts, class actions, products liability, toxic torts, asbestos litigation and consumer product regulatory work. Mr. Mayberry received his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2004. Hegraduated from North Carolina State University in 1999, with a B.S., summa cum laude, in chemical engineering and pulp and paper science and technology. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Mayberry worked as a process engineer for ExxonMobil Chemical Company in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Mr. Mayberry currently serves on the boards of directors for the Equality Foundation of Georgia and Out of Hand Theater.
Jamie Roberts
Newnan, GA
Jamie Roberts was born and raised in Griffin, Georgia, graduate of Georgia College and State University in 1994 in Milledgeville, GA with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. Later graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law in 1999. Began practice of law in 1999, first in civil legal assistance, later in private practice followed by employment with LaGender, Inc. serving the transgender community of Georgia. Since 2006 working for the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council as an Assistant Public Defender in the Coweta Circuit. Volunteer activist, amateur videographer.
Kenyatta Mitchell
Atlanta, GA
Kenyatta is a freelance economic development and real estate consultant. She received her Master's in International Politics from Clark Atlanta University in 1998. She also received her bachelor’s degree in History from the same university in 1996. Prior to becoming a freelance professional, Kenyatta has worked as an advisor to two Georgia Governors and was a Senior Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Kenyatta also serves on the board of the Organized Neighbors of Summerhill.
Sumner E. Riddick, II
Atlanta, GA
Sumner joined the board in December, 2009. Sumner is a partner in the law firm of Koehler & Riddick, LLC, a litigation firm located in Lawrenceville, Georgia specializing in Family Law and Criminal Law. Sumner has previously chaired the Board of Directors for AIDGwinnett, as well as the Board of Directors for the Middle Georgia Ryan White Consortium. He is also presently on the Board of Directors for the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia.
Michael Petty, Chair
Athens, GA
Michael was born and raised in the mountains of North Georgia but has called Athens his home since 1998. He has been active in the Athens community, serving for5 years on the Board of Directors of the Boybutante AIDS Foundation, including1 year as President. He served as president of the University of Georgia School of Law’s LGBT student organization and was one of the founding members of the Athens-area LGBT advocacy organization, Just Equal. Currently he serves on the Board of AIDS Athens and as one of two representatives from North America on the Board of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA). He joined the Board of Georgia Equality in the fall of 2007. Michael works in Monroe as an Assistant Public Defender.
Brian Basinger, Secretary
Atlanta, GA
Brian joined the board in January 2009, after volunteering for various Georgia Equality events since 2002, such as campaign research and voter registration. Brian now works as an attorney in Atlanta, where he lives with his partner, Joshua Saunders. Brian is also on the board of the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia, and was previously the President of the Lesbian & Gay Law Student Association at the Georgia State University College of Law. He also served as a legal intern for former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Sears, and spent a summer in the legal department of the American Cancer Society. Prior to law school, Brian worked more than four years as a newspaper reporter covering the Georgia Legislature and state government for daily newspapers in Athens, Augusta, Brunswick, and Savannah, and did free-lance reporting for CNN, The Advocate, and Southern Voice.
Jamie Ensley, Treasurer
Atlanta, GA
Jamie serves as Treasurer for both Georgia Equality and the Equality Foundation of Georgia. He also serves as Secretary for the national board of the Log Cabin Republicans, President of the Georgia Log Cabin Republicans, 57th District Chairman of the Fulton County Republican Party, and Campaign Treasurer for Rep. Mike Jacobs. In addition, he also serves as Treasurer for the Atlanta Dogwood Festival and YouthPride. Jamie is a SBA Business Development Officer for Wells Fargo Bank. He is an Atlanta native, but was raised in the mountains of North Georgia. He obtained a B.S. from Louisiana State University with a degree in Economics.
Jamie Roberts
Newnan, GA
Jamie Roberts was born and raised in Griffin, Georgia, graduate of Georgia College and State University in 1994 in Milledgeville, GA with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. Later graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law in 1999. Began practice of law in 1999, first in civil legal assistance, later in private practice followed by employment with LaGender, Inc. serving the transgender community of Georgia. Since 2006 working for the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council as an Assistant Public Defender in the Coweta Circuit. Volunteer activist, amateur videographer.
Sumner E. Riddick, II
Atlanta, GA
Sumner joined the board in December, 2009. Sumner is a partner in the law firm of Koehler & Riddick, LLC, a litigation firm located in Lawrenceville, Georgia specializing in Family Law and Criminal Law. Sumner has previously chaired the Board of Directors for AIDGwinnett, as well as the Board of Directors for the Middle Georgia Ryan White Consortium. He is also presently on the Board of Directors for the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia.
Rabbi Joshua Lesser
Atlanta, GA
Rabbi Joshua Lesser leads the growing Congregation Bet Haverim as a place dedicated to celebrating all aspects of Jewish life and creating a spiritual home that is accessible to those who have not connected in other settings. Throughout his tenure at Bet Haverim, Rabbi Lesser has worked with a wide variety of groups and coalitions to build a better community for Atlanta. He is co-founder of the Rainbow Center. An activist from an early age, he has focused on building bridges between diverse communities as demonstrated through his help in forming the Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta and having served as the co-chair of Georgians Against Discrimination. As a supporter of people with disabilities he has worked as a special educator and was co-founder of Camp Big Heart - a camp for children and adults with special needs. Rabbi Lesser has also served as interim rabbi for Emory Hillel where he piloted Social Justice programming and was instrumental in doubling service attendance. His commitment to furthering new areas in the Jewish community is also evident in his service to the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta's Task Force on Healing and Spirituality. He also has worked with the Anti-Defamation League for many years and is serving on their Board of Directors. Most recently Rabbi Lesser co-edited Torah Queeries, weekly commentaries on the Hebrew Bible from some of the world's leading rabbis, scholars and writers. All write from a perspective of the Torah that addresses modern concerns such as sexuality, identity, gender and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender life. Raised in Atlanta, Rabbi Lesser lives in Inman Park where he enjoys working in his garden, playing rugby and listening to the trains rattle by outside his window.
Matthew Moeggenberg
Mableton, GA
Matthew has been an Atlanta, Georgia resident for nearly a decade and is the Managing Broker for Encore Group Realtors, a commercial and residential property sales and management firm. Mr. Moeggenberg
attends First Metropolitan Community Church of Atlanta and has served in various leadership positions with different professional and trade organizations. Mr. Moeggenberg has been involved with Georgia Equality for over 5 years.
Kevin Clark
Savannah, GA
coming soon...
