Author: Wes Sanders

by Wes Sanders

The License to Discriminate is back.

Extremist state lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 368 which would give adoption agencies — including taxpayer-funded ones — a license to discriminate against same-sex couples and LGBTQ youth.

This is unconscionable. Lawmakers are playing politics with the lives of the 12,000+ children waiting for loving homes in Georgia’s adoption and foster care system, all because some extremists want to discriminate against LGBTQ people.

We’ve stopped bills like this before, and we will do it again. Our best shot right now is to make sure SB 368 never gets out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Rush a message to your Senator right now urging them to reject SB 368.

Continue reading →

by Wes Sanders

Georgia Equality Responds to SCOTUS Decision to Hear LGBTQ Workplace Discrimination Cases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Wes Sanders
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Atlanta, GA; April 22, 2019 – Today, the United States Supreme Court granted cert. in three cases that deal with whether or not Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 extends workplace protections to the LGBTQ community. Title VII prohibits workplace discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, and religion.

One of the three cases originates from Clayton County, and involves Gerald Lynn Bostock who was fired from his county job in child welfare after his superiors became aware that he is gay. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta rejected Bostock’s claim, ruling that Title VII does protect gays and lesbians. The decision of the 11th Circuit is at odds with the other two cases that were granted cert. today. Originating from Michigan and New York, both cases were resolved in favor of the terminated employee as the 2nd Circuit and 6th Circuit appeals courts ruled that Title VII does indeed extend protections to LGBTQ people. Continue reading →

by Wes Sanders

Update from under the Gold Dome

Friend–

The first 30 days of the 2019 legislative sessionGeorgia Equality legislative issues are behind us, are we’ve got a lot of bills to update you on! Thanks to you, our supporters, we have seen progress on a historic number of bills on our legislative priorities. TEN legislative days remain, so make a contribution now and help continue to push for these bills:

For the first time in the history of our state, the House of Representatives passed a bill that specifically protects the LGBTQ community. HB 426, the State Hate Crime Statute, passed the House after hundreds of Georgia Equality supporters contacted their legislators! It now heads to the Senate, and we’re going to need your help again! 

By contrast, because of the huge outpouring of opposition, SB 221, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act which would legalize discrimination under the guise of religious liberty did not receive a hearing in committee, which is another huge accomplishment for our community! We’ve got 10 days left to stop RFRA and  push for hate crime legislation donate now to help us finish the fight. 

Also advancing through the House of Representatives was a trio of HIV/AIDS related bills that Georgia Equality is proud to be supporting–

HB 158, which syncs the Medicaid and ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program) formularies concerning access to antiretroviral drugs,

HB 217, which allows certain groups to distribute clean needles, and

HB 290 which establishes pilot PrEP distribution programs around the state.

The State Senate passed SB 106, the Patients First Act, which would allow the State Department of Community Health the apply for a waiver with the US Department of Health and Human Services for medicaid expansion.

Other bills that we are watching, that did not receive a vote in committee are:

HB 19, the State Civil Rights Bill which would protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in housing, employment and in public spaces,

HB 133, which would ensure medically accurate information is included in HIV/AIDS prevention education,

HB 580, sponsored by Rep. Matthew Wilson, would ban conversion therapy,

We have 10 legislative days left to finish the fight. Are you with us?

Jeff Graham
Executive Director

PS: Don’t forget to join us for LGBTQ Lobby Day on March 21. RSVP now!