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Georgia Equality Applauds the Passing of the Equality Act
Georgia Equality Applauds the U.S. House of Representatives Passing the Equality Act
The Bipartisan Bill Now Heads to the Senate
ATLANTA (May 17, 2019) – Today in a vote of 236-173, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Equality Act – bipartisan legislation that will provide consistent and explicit non-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Americans across key areas of life: employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service. Thank you to the following Georgia representatives who voted to pass the Equality Act:
Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr.
Rep. David Scott
Rep. Hank Johnson
Rep. John Lewis
Rep. Lucy McBath
Currently, our nation’s civil rights laws protect people on the basis of race, color, national origin, and in most cases, sex, disability, and religion – but federal law does not provide consistent non-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The Equality Act will provide these basic legal protections for LGBTQ Americans, including the estimated 360,600 Georgians who identify as LGBTQ and lack statewide non-discrimination protections.
Georgia Equality Meets with U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath
This month, Georgia Equality met with U.S. Representative Lucy McBath (GA-06) to discuss the need for nationwide non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people. Board Chair, Michael Shutt, Reverend Caroline Magee, Archdeacon Carole Maddux, trans activist Monica Helms, and Faith in Public Life advocate Graham Younger shared their stories with Rep. McBath and thanked her for her position of support. Monica Helms, the creator of the trans flag, discussed the harm of the trans military ban and presented Rep. McBath with an autographed trans flag. Reverend Magee of St. Bede’s and Archdeacon Maddux of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta shared their stories as faith leaders that supported LGBTQ equality. Michael Shutt, Senior Director for Community at Emory University, shared the difficulties many LGBTQ centers have faced at institutions of higher learning in Georgia.
AIDS Watch Participant Shares His Experience
Submitted By: Darren Allwood
If someone had asked me a year or two ago about my interest in advocacy, I probably would have said zero, because advocacy wasn’t something I had considered because I didn’t see examples of what that looks like. Today, I am a full-fledged advocate for HIV and homelessness due in large part to my experiences over the past year. I was more exposed to policy and advocacy by working with partner organizations like Thrive SS and GE and being a part of Georgia Equality’s Youth HIV Policy Advisors Program. I also attended AIDS Watch in Washington, D.C. which granted me the opportunity to gain knowledge around HIV policy, network with other advocates, and expand my personal advocacy.
On the first day of the conference, we heard from CDC Director Robert R. Redfield. During his talk, Dr. Redfield pointed out how treatment and access to care helps those “infected.” After saying “infected” several more times, activists interrupted him and spoke to the importance of using “people first language” which eliminates generalizations, assumptions, and stereotypes. This was a powerful moment for me. I later had the chance to attend a workshop on the power of storytelling in advocacy. I utilized what I learned when we met with our congressional representatives and I shared my story as a person living with HIV who has been housing unstable. AIDS Watch was an informative opportunity and I appreciate Georgia Equality and Thrive SS to have had the experience.
Georgia Equality’s Statement on Morehouse College
The Nation’s Only All-Male Historically Black College Will Admit Transgender Men Starting Next Year
ATLANTA (April 15, 2019) – Over the weekend, Morehouse College, the nation’s only all-male historically black college, announced that it will update its admissions policy to include transgender men. This comes on the heels of neighboring women’s institution and historically black college, Spelman College, adopting an admission policy inclusive of transgender women in 2017.
The policy, which is set to go into effect in 2020, marks a major shift in the school’s 152-year history, and comes at a time when colleges across the country are evaluating more inclusive policies for LGBTQ and gender non-conforming students.
“This is a great first step for Morehouse that should be celebrated, especially as trans rights are federally under attack,” said Georgia Equality Deputy Director and Morehouse Alumnus, Eric Paulk. “However, it’s important to be mindful of the work that has to happen between now and the implementation of the new policy to ensure an atmosphere of equity and safety for trans students and LGBTQ+ students on campus. This means ensuring that these voices lead and are centered in every step of the process.”