Author: Wes Sanders

by Wes Sanders

Georgia Equality issues endorsement to Doug Shipman for Atlanta City Council President

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.

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. “

 

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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.