Athens, GA (January 27, 2022) – Georgia Equality, ADL (Anti-Defamation League) Southeast, and SOJOURN were troubled to learn of reports from parents of students at Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School in Athens, GA this week indicating that a piece of student artwork containing the phrase “Gay is OK” was removed from a classroom display after a school administrator likened it to displaying a Nazi flag.

Let us say plainly, we condemn any connection between a Pride flag and a swastika – one symbolizes love and connection; the other symbolizes hate and genocide. They should never be treated with any kind of equal standing and it is egregious and unacceptable for any educator to make such a statement. Continue reading →

ATLANTA (January 20, 2022) — Today, Georgia Equality released the results of a commissioned budget review investigating the impact Medicaid expansion could have on the availability of HIV treatment and care dollars in Georgia. The report, prepared by Alan Essig, shows that expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act would result in serving more Georgians with HIV/AIDS diagnoses –to the tune of $53 million– without spending additional state dollars.

The Governor’s recommendation to increase funding for Georgia’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) by $9.9 million in both the midyear budget and the budget for the next state fiscal year is desperately needed to ensure that we can avoid the establishment of a waiting list for these lifesaving medications. While we applaud the Governor’s support of ADAP, unfortunately, such increases on an annual basis may not be sustainable over time.  Therefore, Georgia Equality’s educational arm, Equality Foundation of Georgia, contracted with noted budget analyst Alan Essig to study the implications of expanding Georgia’s Medicaid program to cover people living with HIV. Continue reading →

The Board of Directors of Georgia Equality, the state’s largest political advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Georgians and our allies, is proud to announce two additional endorsements in the upcoming runoff elections for Atlanta City Council — Keisha Waites for Post 3, at-large and Jason Dozier for District 4.

Atlantans should visit the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page for more information on where to vote and make a plan to vote on election day — November 30, 2021. 

 

Key Election Dates:

Early voting happening now until November 24, 2021. 

Runoff Election Day: November 30, 2021

 

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City of Atlanta

City Council, Post 3, at-large

Keisha Waites

I am the only candidate in the race that has successfully served 3-terms in a legislative capacity. It is my belief given the challenges we are facing are facing citywide, we must have a representative that has the experience and relationship to navigate the current volatile political current. Secondly, given the adversarial role between the state of Georgia and the City of Atlanta, I have the capacity to serve as an olive branch and conduit to improving relations.

 

To volunteer or donate, please visit Keisha’s website at https://www.keishawaites.com

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City Council, District 4

Jason Dozier

I believe that District 4 should be welcoming to everyone, regardless of race, class, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual identity. Same sex marriage was recognized as a legal right just six short years ago, and many across the country celebrated the recognition of that right. But I also believe our work is not yet done. Our LGBTQ community members are victimized by discrimination and violence every single day and I will work to ensure that Atlanta strives to foster a community that uplifts our LGBTQ community members

Our nation becomes stronger in the midst of great challenges, and many of these challenges continue to exist in our neighborhoods today. Atlanta must continue its commitment towards addressing the needs of our LGBTQ citizens, and I am personally committed to ensuring that that happens. I stand ready to serve as an ally and advocate in the march towards equality and justice for all Atlantans.

 

To volunteer or donate, please visit Jason’s website at https://votedozier.com

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In a period in which many people seeking elected office are supportive of the LGBTQ community, the Georgia Equality Board of Directors will issue an endorsement for a candidate who we feel is best placed to advance our policy agenda.  The lack of an endorsement should not necessarily be viewed as a negative reflection of a particular candidate’s views on LGBTQ issues in general.

Georgia’s 14th city to pass such an ordinance.

Augusta, GA, November 16, 2021 — Today, by a unanimous vote, the Board of Commissioners in Augusta, Georgia passed a nondiscrimination ordiance that provides needed protections to LGBTQ folks and other marginalized groups. This makes Augusta Georgia’s 14th city, and second county (after Athens-Clarke earlier this year) to provide such protections.
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The Board of Directors of Georgia Equality, the state’s largest political advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Georgians and our allies, is proud to announce its endorsement in the upcoming runoff Election for Atlanta City Council President — Doug Shipman.

“Doug’s clear understanding of the crisis facing the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) program and the role city council must play in the oversight of the program was a deciding factor in our decision to endorse at this time,” said Kenyatta Mitchell, Chairperson of Georgia Equality’s Board of Directors.

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City of Atlanta

City Council President

Doug Shipman

“I have shown that I willl bring deep knowledge and commitment to my role futhering and consistently including LGBTQ+ people and issues across the entire spectrum of my work. My record includes the inclusion of LGBTQ+ stories and programs from the very beginning of building the National Center for Civil and Human Rights to founding the LGBTQ+ Institute at NCCHR to my work to support and diversify LGBTQ+ artists and arts at the Woodruff Arts Center and beyond to my family’s longtime support of HRC, GA Equality and HIV/AIDS-related organizations and initiatives. “

 

Continue reading →