We’ve got great news– Evening for Equality is back in person this year!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 18th, 2022 @7:00pm, with a preceding Host Committee and Sponsors reception at 6:00pm. Make plans to join us in celebrating all the progress we’ve made toward LGBTQ equality in Georgia over the past year, and help us resource the fight for the progress we’ve yet to win.
Early voting for the 2022 Georgia Primary and Nonpartisan election is happening now, and we want you to be prepared to cast your vote before or on election day. Things have changed in Georgia since the last election cycle and it is vital that you understand how these changes may affect you. Below is a checklist to ensure that you are ready to make your voice heard in this upcoming election.
The time is now! Continue with us on the path towards equality and fairness for all by joining our Equality and Fairness for All Americans Coalition.
On Monday, May 2, 2022, a draft Supreme Court opinion leaked, confirming the court is considering striking down Roe v. Wade, a longstanding ruling protecting abortion and privacy rights in this country. Two days later, on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, the Georgia High School Association voted to change their policy regarding the gender of participants in school sports, participation now restricted only to the sex listed on a birth certificate.
In just one week, we have seen the right to a safe and private medical procedure be brought into question, and a vote to restrict the access of transgender students in school sports. The liberty and safety of so many citizens is at stake and the window of opportunity for us to create the political will to push through a bi-partisan bill extending federal civil rights nondiscrimination protections is closing quickly. Use the link below to join the coalition and indicate whether you are a Business leader , Faith leader, Elected Official or Individual.
The EQFFAA coalition believes there is a once in a decade opportunity to pass landmark legislation in advance of the midterm elections to bring federal civil rights non-discrimination protections to millions of Americans in employment, education, housing, credit, jury service, and public accommodations. This will bring immediate relief to millions of Americans who live in fear of discrimination and have no legal recourse.
As a leader in our community, we need your help today to pass legislation that will fundamentally change lives for generations to come.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GEORGIA EQUALITY RESPONDS TO GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOLASSOCIATION VOTE TO CHANGE POLICY ON GENDER
May 4, 2022 (Atlanta, GA) — This morning the Georgia High School Association Executive Committee voted to change their policy regarding the gender of participants in school sports being restricted only to the sex listed on a birth certificate.
Jeff Graham (he/him), executive director of Georgia Equality, Georgia’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group, released the following statement in response:
“Quite frankly, the secretive and hasty process by which this was done is despicable. All Georgia students should have equal access to school sports, and efforts to change policies that facilitate that should be done in a transparent and open way. Today’s actions of the GHSA Executive Committee will do real harm to trans kids in Georgia that just want to be themselves and fit in.
“At no point during the general assembly’s debate of bills that would have had a similarly devastating impact, were the supporters of this change able to present a single example of how allowing transgender students to participate in athletes harmed other students in Georgia. In fact, the legislation that did pass called for a commission to study this issue and recommend action if appropriate. It is disturbing that this body would act in a rash manner without careful consideration of the implications of this policy change on the well-being of all students or without the thoughtful study that such a complicated and sensitive issue warrants.
Chanel Haley (she/her), Gender Policy Manager at Georgia Equality said this:
“Unfortunately the GHSA has decided to ignore case precedent by favoring certain students and parents over others. The decision is discriminatory and divisive. Now because our state policymakers have failed ALL students, we need to look to our federal policymakers to intervene in securing protections and inclusion for ALL student athletes.”
Founded in 1995, Georgia Equality is the state’s largest advocacy organization working to advance fairness, safety and opportunity for Georgia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, and our allies.
April 29, 2022 (Atlanta, GA) — Jeff Graham (he/him), executive director of Georgia Equality, Georgia’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group, released the following statement in response Gov. Kemp’s signing of HB 1084:
“Yesterday, Gov. Kemp continued efforts to rally his political base by signing into law a bill that is both harmful and ill conceived. HB 1084 aims to keep ‘divisive concepts’ out of Georgia classrooms by restricting discussions of race from kindergarten through 12th grade and creates additional state bureaucracy to oversee school sports.
“All students in Georgia, without exception, should have access to the highest quality education and extracurricular activities, and that should be the Governor’s priority. His actions today to insert himself in classrooms across the state and to stifle teaching will degrade the quality of a Georgia education for years to come. By limiting training on diversity and inclusion for school personnel, students who come from marginalized communities, including those from minority religious backgrounds, will face additional barriers to a quality education. The great diversity of those who call Georgia home should be seen as a strength to be embraced. This new law stifles that concept and could set the state back depending upon how it is implemented.
“The legislation also reinforces the status quo that the Georgia High School Association has the authority to determine eligibility for participation in high school sports in our state and creates an athletics oversight committee that could consider eligibility for transgender athletes. Our own Speaker of the House, David Ralston, has said he hopes trans kids won’t be targeted or singled out, and we’re committed to working with the association and committee to ensure all Georgia students have the opportunity to participate in school sports. I don’t know what impact his actions today will have on his future political ambitions, but his work to garner votes will have harmful, lasting effects on all Georgia’s students.
Founded in 1995, Georgia Equality is the state’s largest advocacy organization working to advance fairness, safety and opportunity for Georgia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, and our allies.