We’re in a time of change, both nationally and here in the state Georgia. Our country has welcomed a new president while our state legislature is convening, and considering the priorities that will set the tone of our state for the coming year. It’s a time fraught with uncertainty but also opportunity.

There is a growing progressive movement in Georgia. Discussions are being had around inequality and inequity, around race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. There is an increase in the number of cities across the state adopting broad policies that protect LGBTQ people, promote diversity in city contracting and purchasing, and that create citywide campaigns for equity. Currently, 11 cities in Georgia have passed some form of a non-discrimination policy, including the city of Columbus. The counties of Augusta-Richmond, Macon-Bibb, and Athens-Clarke are in discussion and considering passing their own non-discrimination ordinance.

State governments across the nation, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, are hearing the demand for equal protections. In response, many local governments are creating programs and enforcing laws that would positively impact many underserved communities. These actions are encouraging, but the journey has just begun. Local LGBT communities across Georgia are preparing to push legislative agendas, and Pride events are expected to slowly make their way back in this Covid landscape.

Columbus

LGBT Advocates out of Columbus are excited to kick off 2021 with a bang. “With a vaccine in almost every hand, or arm rather, we are now officially going back to Broadway starting March 2021 for our Diversity Saturdays,” stated Jeremy Hobbs, Executive Director of Colgay Pride, Columbus, GA.

Colgay Pride has announced that Pride festivities will be hosted on June 4th and 5th on Broadway in downtown Columbus. Hobbs stated that Covid-19 safety measures will be in full effect. Colgay Pride acquired multiple Street permits to ensure ample social distancing for vendors and crowds. They are excited to get back to work doing what we love promoting quality and building a better diverse Columbus that serves all.

Diversity Saturdays will take place the first Saturday of every month, and will be held alongside the city’s Saturday Market Day from 9:00 a.m. to noon. There will also be LGBT block parties held from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Broadway in downtown Columbus.

Also, leaders of Colgay Pride have taken steps, weekly, to promote Mental Health resources for those who are part of the LGBT community. There is a LGBT Zoom support group every Tuesday night. It is made available for anyone that wants to be a part of it. Members of the support group want to note that there is a maximum of 100 people that can be involved, so please plan accordingly. For more information, please be sure to visit Colgay Pride’s Facebook page.

 

Macon, GA

Last November, Macon-Bibb County’s former Mayor, Robert Reichert, vetoed the County Commission’s narrowly approved, broad new nondiscrimination policy that would further protect the LGBTQ community. LGBTQ advocates and allies in Macon have stated that they, “do not give up so easily”, and are looking to push towards an non-discrimination ordinance in the coming year.

Currently, those advocates are channeling their hopes and energy into educating their community about comprehensive civil rights protections. To address any concerned citizen, the Macon-Bibb CCR Committee is planning a countywide discussion on April 22nd and 23^rd, 2021. This two-day discussion will be made up of four virtual panels highlighting how non-discrimination ordinances reference and affect local law, businesses, Religious Freedoms, and People of Color. Please follow the “Comprehensive Civil Rights Ordinance Macon” Facebook page for further updates.

Like many Pride and Equality festivals across the Gerorgia, The Macon Pride Board Committee is discussing the planning of an in-person Pride festival. Scott Mitchell, a lead coordinator of Macon Pride stated, “With the uncertain path of Covid relief, there are concerns about hosting large in-person Pride events in June”. Mitchell did note that the Macon Pride board is considering moving Macon Pride festivities to the Fall months allowing for more planning of safety measures. For more information, visit the Macon Pride Facebook page.

 

 

 

 

DeMarcus Beckham

Southern Field Organizer

He, Him, His

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia

 

As we commemorate Black History Month, Georgia Equality honors the contributions of Black Americans to the LGBTQ+ and civil rights movement. We also uplift the names of Black LGBTQ+ pioneers that have contributed to our nation’s greatness.

We are grateful and in debt to those who have come before us, those who have  torn down down barriers, creating the space for us to do this work today. In honoring our heroes from the past, Georgia Equality stands hand in hand with activist and the black community as whole, today, ready and prepared for the work ahead.

Georgia Equality is committed to advancing fairness, safety, and opportunity for Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities, and our Black allies throughout the state.

This month, and every month of the year, Georgia Equality celebrates Black voices, and Black achievement, standing allied in the fight against racism and the systemic structures that negatively impact the well-being and livelihood of the Black community.

To celebrate Black lives, progression, and excellence, Georgia Equality will be hosting a series of virtual events sure to be engaging, informative, and thought provoking. Please follow us on all social media platforms, @georgiaequality, and subscribe to our email list to stay informed on Legislative updates, Action Alerts, Breaking news, Event invitations, Opportunities to get involved.

 

 

DeMarcus Beckham, Southern Field Organizer

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia

 

 

Georgia has some of the harshest HIV criminalization in the US – and Georgia Equality wants to address that head on by introducing our new fellowship program, Ending the Epidemic Policy Fellowship, funded by the Elton John Aids Foundation. 

The former President’s plan to end the HIV epidemic by 2030 is built around four pillars: Diagnose, Treat, Protect, and Respond. The fourth pillar, focuses on establishing an HIV health force with “boots on the ground” health professionals. While this is an important element, equally as important is the need to develop HIV policy advocates and leaders who are equipped to identify emergent issues and bring them to the attention of policymakers, create policy solutions that help remedy structural issues that drive the epidemic in marginalized communities, and to find political allies and policy making windows that make it possible to advance public health. 

For the “boots on the ground”, Georgia Equality is looking to hire three recent graduates for its Ending the Epidemic Policy Fellowship. The fellowship places recent graduates with backgrounds in public health, public administration, public policy, and/or other related fields at Georgia Equality for a 12-month immersion into the policy-making process. Fellows apply their academic training, critical thinking, and analytical skills to support evidence-informed, decision-making that addresses HIV policy challenges on a local and statewide level. Fellows should have an understanding of the systemic structures that create barriers for marginalized communities and warp our response to the HIV epidemic, especially along lines of race, gender, and sexual orientation. 

Georgia Equality’s Ending the Epidemic Policy Fellowship Program provides comprehensive policy training at the intersections of LGBTQ health, race, policy and geography to early-career professionals with an interest in working in the HIV policy space. The project will specifically prioritize individuals living with and vulnerable to HIV from minority and underrepresented communities who are committed to acquiring the skills, knowledge and experiences to participate in the policy process at the state and local level and use their training to improve health, health care, and health policy towards ending the epidemic by 2030. 

 

For more information or to apply, please visit our employment page, here:

https://georgiaequality.org/about/employment-internships/

Georgia Equality has spent the last year cultivating meaningful online advocacy opportunities that have had real impact. We are so proud of what we accomplished not only in the General and Run-off Elections, but also in the wrap up of the 2020 legislative session this June when we passed LGBTQ-inclusive Hate Crimes Legislation. We are one of the few organizations that have already hosted a digital advocacy day with our partners at Cover Georgia and we are ready to take our advocacy to the next level.

Already we have seen unprecedented attacks on our voting laws and harmful anti-trans legislation, and we are only on day 12 of the legislative session. It is more important than ever to stay engaged and continue to make our voices heard. In the coming weeks, Georgia Equality will be reaching out through social media, grassroots letters to the editor campaigns, phone and text banks, not to mention webinars and trainings. Please look at the schedule below and join the movement today. It will take all of us to stop the regressive forces that want to punish marginalized communities for daring to speak up and show out. But together, we can and will overcome.

 

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Training Schedule

 

Feb 6, 2021 – HIV Advocacy: https://secure.everyaction.com/DgLx-yvuqUeFGUwcT-AMFw2

Feb 9, 2021 – Digital Advocacy Outreach: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZItdumhqDsvHdap9bewODSHD335Gh03LMgR

Feb 16, 2021 – Letters to the Editor Workshop: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpcuGgpz4qH9ySGE80vcYiG4mqm0jAQafP

Feb 20, 2021 – Transgender Advocacy: https://secure.everyaction.com/OoKgu_y-ckWZy-YKBwN8DA2

March 6, 2021 – Federal Issues Advocacy: https://secure.everyaction.com/O6bfP5ezSkaCdbiobXvfAA2

March 20, 2021 – Local Issues Advocacy: https://secure.everyaction.com/4b_9otaLyEuwqrqzo7Ub9w2