Author: Danielle Quesenberry

by Danielle Quesenberry

Georgia Equality Files Amicus Brief in Employment Discrimination Case

Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia is Scheduled to be Argued Before the U.S. Supreme Court this Fall

ATLANTA (July 8, 2019) – Georgia Equality has filed an amicus brief in the case Gerald Lynn Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, along with two related cases. These combined cases will be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court this fall and will examine whether employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity are covered under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Georgia Equality filed the independent brief to highlight the importance of protecting Georgia’s LGBTQ community against discrimination under federal law. Continue reading →

by Danielle Quesenberry

Stonewall at 50 and Atlanta’s LGBTQ History

By: Chanel Haley

We often forget that the first Pride Parade was not a celebration, but march against the oppression faced by LGBT communities. This week marks 50 years since the Stonewall Riots in New York City, an event sparked by tensions between the New York Police Department and local LGBT communities that birthed the LGBT Pride Parades we currently commemorate.

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by Danielle Quesenberry

Georgia Equality Applauds the Passing of the Equality Act

Georgia Equality Applauds the U.S. House of Representatives Passing the Equality Act

The Bipartisan Bill Now Heads to the Senate

ATLANTA (May 17, 2019) – Today in a vote of 236-173, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Equality Act – bipartisan legislation that will provide consistent and explicit non-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Americans across key areas of life: employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service. Thank you to the following Georgia representatives who voted to pass the Equality Act:
Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr.
Rep. David Scott
Rep. Hank Johnson
Rep. John Lewis
Rep. Lucy McBath

Currently, our nation’s civil rights laws protect people on the basis of race, color, national origin, and in most cases, sex, disability, and religion – but federal law does not provide consistent non-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The Equality Act will provide these basic legal protections for LGBTQ Americans, including the estimated 360,600 Georgians who identify as LGBTQ and lack statewide non-discrimination protections.

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by Danielle Quesenberry

Georgia Equality Meets with U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath

This month, Georgia Equality met with U.S. Representative Lucy McBath (GA-06) to discuss the need for nationwide non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people. Board Chair, Michael Shutt, Reverend Caroline Magee, Archdeacon Carole Maddux, trans activist Monica Helms, and Faith in Public Life advocate Graham Younger shared their stories with Rep. McBath and thanked her for her position of support. Monica Helms, the creator of the trans flag, discussed the harm of the trans military ban and presented Rep. McBath with an autographed trans flag. Reverend Magee of St. Bede’s and Archdeacon Maddux of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta shared their stories as faith leaders that supported LGBTQ equality. Michael Shutt, Senior Director for Community at Emory University, shared the difficulties many LGBTQ centers have faced at institutions of higher learning in Georgia.

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by Danielle Quesenberry

AIDS Watch Participant Shares His Experience

Submitted By: Darren Allwood
If someone had asked me a year or two ago about my interest in advocacy, I probably would have said zero, because advocacy wasn’t something I had considered because I didn’t see examples of what that looks like. Today, I am a full-fledged advocate for HIV and homelessness due in large part to my experiences over the past year. I was more exposed to policy and advocacy by working with partner organizations like Thrive SS and GE and being a part of Georgia Equality’s Youth HIV Policy Advisors Program.  I also attended AIDS Watch in Washington, D.C. which granted me the opportunity to gain knowledge around HIV policy, network with other advocates, and expand my personal advocacy.

On the first day of the conference, we heard from CDC Director Robert R. Redfield. During his talk, Dr. Redfield pointed out how treatment and access to care helps those “infected.” After saying “infected” several more times, activists interrupted him and spoke to the importance of using “people first language” which eliminates generalizations, assumptions, and stereotypes. This was a powerful moment for me. I later had the chance to attend a workshop on the power of storytelling in advocacy. I utilized what I learned when we met with our congressional representatives and I shared my story as a person living with HIV who has been housing unstable. AIDS Watch was an informative opportunity and I appreciate Georgia Equality and Thrive SS to have had the experience.