While many of us were celebrating the results of the January 5 runoff election and inauguration of President Biden, the Georgia General Assembly began the start of their two-year legislative session. The month of January was spent primarily on organizing committees, finalizing leadership positions and hearing testimony on the state budget. Here at Georgia Equality we held the first of a series of advocacy trainings and began to firm up our plans regarding the legislation we would support and meet with coalition partners to discuss how to fight against bills we oppose.
Equality News
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!
Nomination of Rachel Levine for HHS Secretary a Game Changer in Georgia
Atlanta (Jan 27, 2021)– Last week, President Joe Biden announced his nomination of Rachel Levine, MD, to serve as Assistant Secretary for Health in the US Department of Health and Human Services. Pending Senate confirmation, Dr. Levine will become the first openly transgender official confirmed by the US Senate.
“Dr. Levine’s nomination is important for many reasons, but what rises to the top for me is the importance of having a trans person testifying in front of the US Senate not about her gender. This is the kind of progress that works to end so many myths about trans people,” said Georgia Equality’s Gender Policy Manager, Chanel Haley. Continue reading
We Thank You!
Like many of you, I’ve spent the last few days fairly speechless. If you’ve ever volunteered with Georgia Equality, you know that is saying something. I’m rarely at a loss for words. I was raised in a civically engaged home. I’ve eagerly followed elections since I was a child and we often said in our home that politics were our favorite sport. I’ve always had a passion for history and governance. But nothing in my short 35 years on this earth could prepare me for this week.
The events on Wednesday were horrific and deeply painful for those that fight so hard for equality and justice. Important discussions about white supremacy, authoritarianism, and sedition are continuing. This country’s moment of reckoning is far from over.
Georgia Equality’s Outreach Efforts Reach from One Stateline to the Other
Georgia has been on the mind of so many across the nation. The 2021 Senate and Georgia Public Service Commission runoffs were historic. For months, Georgia Equality staff have been strategically planning outreach efforts and setting goals to reach all pro-equality voters in hopes that every state resident would be able to exercise their right on election day. We believe that the recent election results are a great step towards equality for those who identify as LGBTQ on the state level. Our efforts were made possible by supporters of Georgia equality, partners of the Equality Foundation, and volunteers from across the United States. But it was the voice of Georgia voters, state residents in rural spaces, showing up to the polls, that made all the difference.
Georgia Equality’s voter education initiatives have played a significant role in organizing and mobilizing LGBTQ residents and allies around the state. In recent years, Georgia Equality staff and board members have made strides towards ensuring that our outreach efforts are more intentional in suburban and rural communities across the state. We are working to connect both staff and board members from Augusta, Savannah, Athens, Macon, and Columbus to statewide influencers and dedicated leaders.
During the runoff elections, through our partnerships with local grassroots organizations, and other statewide nonprofits, we were able to help voters find transportation to the polls via buses and ride shares. Staff members attended virtual election board meetings demanding that polling locations in rural counties stay open, they poll watched, and they acted as line warmers at polling locations in Americus, GA.
This election season allowed for new connections to be made across the state. This experience is a continuation of Georgia Equality’s agenda and mission. We as an organization are actively advocating and working towards advancing fairness, safety, and opportunity for Georgia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and allied Georgians. Through our work and our statewide partnerships, we plan to continue our fight for equality going into this year’s General Assembly session and beyond.
DeMarcus Beckham, Southern Field Organizer
He, Him, His
Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia