Author: Wes Sanders

by Wes Sanders

Opinion: Religious, LGBTQ rights don’t have to conflict

published by the Atlanta Journal Constitution on April 19, 2022

An open letter to Georgia residents:

As citizens and leaders in the state of Georgia, we write in support of non-discrimination legislation that protects all people, including LGBTQ people, from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations, while also protecting important religious rights.

No one should be denied these protections based on their sexual orientation or gender identity; and likewise religious persons and institutions should be protected in practicing their faith. We believe that we are all children of a loving God who has commanded us to love each other. We are also Americans with a long tradition of figuring out how to get along despite deep differences.

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by Wes Sanders

we held them off until the very end.

After midnight last night, in the waning minutes of the legislative session and while many Georgians slept, the Georgia legislature passed a bill establishing an oversight committee to determine whether or not transgender girls should be able to compete in school sports in Georgia. The legislature spent significant time and effort this session to address the mental health crisis in Georgia, yet took swift action that walks back this good by caving into political pressure from Governor Kemp to join him in his goal of bullying transgender youth.

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by Wes Sanders

Update: 2,500 Georgians help BLOCK ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill


Late last night, the state legislature finished its 28th legislative day, or Crossover Day — and I’ve got good news. Because SB 613, the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, was not voted on by the full Senate, it is dead for the year!

 

Since it was filed 5 days ago, over 2,500 Georgians sent messages to their State Senator to stop this bill. I want to say a special THANK YOU to each person who sent a message and shared it with your community. We did this.

 

In all, SEVEN anti-LGBTQ bills were filed during the 2021-2022 legislative session, and now, we’ve stopped all of them but one — SB 435 (the trans athlete ban). We will continue to monitor the work of the General Assembly to make sure the language of SB 613 doesn’t resurrect, and to stop SB 435 once and for all.

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by Wes Sanders

Action Alert: Urge your State Senator to OPPOSE SB 613

Senate Bill 613, the “Don’t Say Gay” bill was introduced in the Georgia State Senate today. This dangerous bill is meant to stigmatize LGBTQ people, isolate LGBTQ kids, and make teachers fearful of providing a safe, inclusive classroom. It must be stopped –Send a message to your State Senator, RIGHT NOW, and urge them to oppose SB 613! 

SEND YOUR MESSAGE NOW

This bill would stifle the full inclus Continue reading →

by Wes Sanders

🚨🚨BREAKING: The “Don’t Say Gay” bill has come to Georgia.


I’ve got some troubling news—the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ fight has come to Georgia. This latest attack on LGBTQ kids is disturbing, but not new. A remarkably similar bill just passed Florida’s legislature, and while we’re busy reviewing the exact language of SB 613, here’s what we know: This bill attemps to stifle the full inclusion of LGBTQ students in classrooms across Georgia. 

We will do everything in our power to stop this this bill, but these endless attacks require a continuous and sustained defense from all of us, and that’s why I’m writing today — to ask you to join our fight by committing to a monthly contribution to Georgia Equality.  Continue reading →