Kheyanna Suarez

From the beautiful island of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Kheyanna Suarez has spent much of her upbringing in sunny, South Florida. She graduated from Florida Atlantic University in the summer of 2017 where she obtained a degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion.  In May of 2017 she started as a Community Health Educator for Planned Parenthood serving the Broward County area and then later transitioned into a new role as the Youth Organizer for the Treasure Coast, Palm Beach, and Palm Beach Youth Council. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Public Health at Emory University with a concentration in Health Policy and Management. Additionally, she is completing her certificate in Maternal and Child Health with a goal of working in policy and communications in the field of reproductive and sexual health. For the last two years, she has been working with the Gilead COMPASS Initiative at the Emory COMPASS Coordinating Center as a Graduate Research Assistant. Kheyanna has also been recently selected as one of the Ending the Epidemic Fellows at Georgia Equality.

Taylor Brown

Taylor Brown (he/him) is a young public health professional and recent graduate of Kennesaw State University with a degree in Public Health Education. His foundation is in infectious disease; primarily through his Ending the HIV Epidemic work with the Georgia Department of Public Health, and COVID-19 Response work with the Fulton County Board of Health. Taylor is passionate about Social Epidemiology, sex education, nutrition, and mental and behavioral health. Taylor is happy to call Georgia and Atlanta home. His mission is in helping make his home a healthy and equitable place for all.

Will Ramirez

Will Ramirez is a graduate student at Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Public Policy Studies pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in the intersection of the built environment and public health and its impact on communities of color and other marginalized groups. Will also holds a bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies from American Military University.

Will is passionate about policy and people power. Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, Will has seen the HIV/AIDS epidemic hit close to home and is committed to applying skills acquired throughout his life to make a difference here in Georgia. As a veteran and as an educator, Will has a long history of service to community which forms the foundation for his strong advocacy and commitment to progress for marginalized communities.

Will lives in Atlanta with his wife, daughter, and dog.

 

Healthcare.gov is back open for a special enrollment period, ending May 15th. Need health insurance? Millions of people qualify for affordable health insurance but don’t know it. See if you’re one of them – visit HealthCare.gov TODAY to find out how to #GetCovered.

The American Rescue Plan includes a historic expansion of the Affordable Healthcare Act that reduces the cost of health insurance for 9 million consumers current marketplace enrollees and could help 15 million uninsured people find affordable health insurance.

• 4 out of 5 enrollees can find a plan for $10/month or less. And more than 50% can find a silver plan for $10/month or less.
• Many premiums will decrease, on average, by $50 per person per month.
• 1 out of 4 HealthCare.gov enrollees will be able to upgrade to a plan with lower out-of-pocket costs.
• 48,000 uninsured American Indians and Alaska Natives will be newly eligible to save money on health care coverage and 21,000 will be eligible for zero-dollar benchmark Marketplace plans.
• 730,000 uninsured Latinos will be newly eligible to save money on health care coverage and 580,000 will be eligible for zero-dollar benchmark Marketplace plans.
• 360,000 uninsured Black and African Americans will be newly eligible to save money on health care coverage and 328,000 will be eligible for zero-dollar benchmark Marketplace plans.
• 197,000 uninsured Asian, Native-Hawaiian and Pacific Islander will be newly eligible to save money on health care coverage, and 50,000 will be eligible for zero-dollar benchmark Marketplace plans.

New financial benefits will be available beginning on April 1st so encourage friends and family to return to HealthCare.gov to take advantage of more financial help, and change their plan if they want to. Visit Healthcare.gov to #GetCovered. 

 

Alexa Bryant

Development and Communications Coordinator

“She, Her, Hers”

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia

 

Georgia is one of only three states that has no laws barring employers from discriminating based on race or religion, and we’re one of only five states that do not prohibit this discrimination in public places like restaurants, shopping malls, doctor’s offices, and hotels. Because federal law does not prohibit discrimination against LGBT Americans, LGBT Georgians are at higher risk of  being wrongfully fired, evicted, and/or denied service. Only 11 municipalities in Georgia have passed a LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance protecting individuals from this type of unfair treatment. That’s why small businesses are joining our coalition to help pass an LGBT-inclusive civil rights law. 

There are lists of LGBTQ-friendly companies, large and small, that are voicing their support for the LGBTQ community. This support has proven to be a more profitable approach for, as 64% of Americans are more likely to buy from LGBT-inclusive companies than not. These businesses are making an impact, but taking action is the true measure of a company’s commitment. This visible support is essential to moving us forward, but profiting off the work of the LGBTQ community without taking action towards their equality is wrong.

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. Due to Covid 19, now more than ever, we must support our communities in whatever way we can. But when shopping locally, people are looking for businesses that support the people living within them. According to a new survey from Ogilvy, Nearly half of Americans and 64% of those who identify as LGBT allies say they are more likely to spend money with brands that are LGBT inclusive. We can never forget that our LGBTQ community includes women, people of color, folx with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, and so many others who need us to stand in solidarity for a stronger, more inclusive economy. So it is important, at this time, to understand that outwardly supporting LGBTQ is good for business. 

Outreach and support for the LGBTQ community is one important element, but the other element to address is hiring practices. We must ensure that businesses are addressing hiring bias and helping to eliminate workplace prejudice and employee discrimination. Hiring a person who is a part of the LGBTQ community should not be just another box. Representation matters, and hiring LGBTQ individuals into leadership, who are well qualified, reflects your commitment to supporting the LGBTQ community. Businesses that rally behind their LGBTQ employees create a safe workplace for employees, and encourage their employees to be visible and offer a better working environment than those who do not. This can be a simple transition. For many years, small businesses have been working to improve their brands and their internal practices on LGBTQ issues, by establishing inclusive policies, training staff on diversity and inclusion, investing in culture, benefits, and marketing to welcome LGBTQ customers and employees. 

LGBTQ inclusion is good for the economy and the community, and making this connection is a step towards making a case for non-discrimination protections and passing nondiscrimination laws. That is why small businesses are joining our coalition to pass an LGBT-inclusive civil rights law. If you are a small business owner or if you know a business owner and want an LGBT-inclusive civil rights law because you know discrimination hurts our communities and our economy. If you agree, sign up for the small business pledge. 

https://georgiaunites.org/small-business/

 

DeMarcus Beckham

Southern Field Organizer, He, Him, His

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia

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!

• https://giphy.com/search/equality-act
• Spread the word about our next Advocacy Training on How to Advocate for LGBTQ equality at the local level – March 20 @ 11.