Author: Wes Sanders

by Wes Sanders

Evening for Equality 2021– that’s a wrap!

In addition to numerous pride events, June brought with it Georgia Equality’s annual fundraising gala, Evening for Equality! This year’s event was all virtual and the most successful in our organization’s history!

Thanks to our sponsors, Host Committee and donors, this year’s event raised $115,000.

This year’s Presenting Sponsor is South Wire, Platinum Sponsor: The Coca-Cola Company, Gold Sponsors: Georgia Power and AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Silver Sponsors: Wells Fargo, Cox Enterprises, and Making Projects Work.

Check out all the fun and see our complete list of sponsors by re-watching the livestream here! Continue reading →

by Wes Sanders

Virtual LGBTQ Lobby Day 2021

Welcome to LGBTQ Lobby Day 2021– virtual edition

 

Here’s how you can help:

Step 1: Get trained. DONE!

Step 2: Make your voice heard!

CALL

  • The Equality Act is up for a vote in the US Senate Judiciary Committee this week, and having passed the US House of Representatives on  2/25/21. Senator Ossoff has expressed support for this legislation, and sits on the Judiciary Committee. Call Sen. Ossoff now (202-224-3521)– thank him for his support of the Equality Act to this point, and encourage his continued support as a constituent.

EMAIL

  • Senate Bill (SB) 164, which makes progress towards reforming Georgia’s HIV criminal law, has passed the State Senate, and crossed over to the House where the bill had strong bi-partisan support last year. SEND YOUR EMAIL NOW

WRITE A LETTER

  • MEET IN DISTRICT

 

Step 3: Build the Movement!

  • Encourage your friends, family, and network to participate in Virtual Lobby Day too, by posting to social media, and sending emails!

 

by Wes Sanders

The Equality Act could be voted on this week

Georgia Equality joined a coalition of more than 150 state, local and national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) organizations in calling on Congress to swiftly pass the Equality Act. And now we need you to do the same!

HR 5, the bipartisan Equality Act, has 217 co-sponsors including 6 members of Georgia’s Congressional delegation Reps. David Scott, Hank Johnson, Sanford Bishop, Lucy McBath and both of Georgia’s newest House members; Rep. Nikema Williams and Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux.   

The re-introduction of the Equality Act is a clear example of real progress toward full LGBTQ equality in Georgia. When this bill was introduced in the previous Congress, it had the support of 5 Representatives from Georgia, and now that number is 6 Representatives and 2 Senators. This law would be a significant step forward for the LGBTQ community, and we are committed to mobilizing our communities in Georgia to make sure our lawmakers know this is about people, not politics.

This landmark nondiscrimination and civil rights bill would update existing federal laws to protect people from discrimination based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. It has broad and deep support across lines of political party, demographics, and geography. with a majority of people in favor of the bill in every state in the country.

The passage of this bill will be the culmination of years of work to register and turn out the pro-equality vote, and of numerous meetings with congressional offices. The fact that now half of Georgia’s congressional delegation supports the Equality Act is a credit to all of us who have been instrumental in shifting the ground to make passage of this bill possible.

And now we are in a position to pass a law that would ensure that all LGBTQ Americans can live, work, and access public spaces free from discrimination, no matter what state they call home. So send your message to Congress right now!

Today, half of LGBTQ people in the US live in the 29 states that still lack comprehensive statewide laws — including Georgians. From our work around the state, we know firsthand that this patchwork of protections is unsustainable and leaves too many people behind.

by Wes Sanders

ACTION ALERT: Urge support for increased funding for ADAP NOW!!

Members of the State Senate are beginning conversations TODAY on the potential for increased funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, and they need to hear from us RIGHT NOW! Click here to send your message.

A $15.4 million increase for the Georgia AIDS Drug Assistance Program has been proposed by House Public Health Subcommittee of Appropriations Chair Butch Parrish– this is our chance to make sure that the more than 12,000 Georgians living with HIV who cannot otherwise afford it, will not go without access to life saving medication.

In addition to saving the lives of the individuals enrolled in ADAP, access to treatment for HIV works to prevent the spread of the virus as well– treatment is prevention. Georgia is poised to make dramatic inroads to contain the spread of HIV in our communities and reverse a mortality rate from AIDS that remains one of the worst in the country, but only if the Department of Public Health and county health departments throughout Georgia have the funding they need to provide these services. Send your message now!