The Latest

by Danielle Quesenberry

2019 Georgia Legislative Session Wrap-Up

Georgia EqualityThe 2019 Georgia legislative session is officially behind us, and we have a lot of bills to update you on! Thanks to you, our supporters, we saw progress on a historic number of bills on our legislative priorities. Here’s an update on the bills Georgia Equality worked on this session:

SB 106: Patients First Act (Medicaid Waiver)

This bill would allow the State Department of Community Health to apply for two waivers from the US Department of Health and Human Services.  One waiver will allow the Governor to expand Medicaid to individuals and families who make up to 100% of the Federal Poverty Level.  The second waiver will allow the state to develop a system to help people making between 100% – 138% of the Federal Poverty Level to purchase insurance policies. While this is not the full Medicaid expansion we have long advocated for, it is estimated that as many as 16,000 people living with HIV could gain access to Medicaid through this waiver process.

Status: Signed into law by Governor Kemp

SB 221: Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA)

This bill would allow individuals and companies to refuse to follow nondiscrimination laws and policies if they are in conflict with someone’s religious views.

Status: Stalled in Senate Judiciary committee without a hearing, however, the legislation will remain live and could move in the 2020 legislative session.

Continue reading →

by Danielle Quesenberry

Eric Paulk Named New Deputy Director

We’re excited to announce that after an extensive search for our Deputy Director, the decision has been made to promote our HIV Policy Organizer, Eric Paulk to the role.

As HIV Policy Organizer, Eric successfully led our HIV policy efforts including the Youth HIV Policy Advisors Program. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Morehouse College and a Juris Doctor from Pace University.

Throughout the interview process, he developed a vibrant vision for bringing on new staff positions to better support the administrative functions of the organization and support the programmatic work of the staff. His proven leadership and understanding of working within coalitions will be an invaluable asset to the organization as we begin the process of developing our next strategic plan.

Please join our board and staff in congratulating Eric on his promotion!

by Wes Sanders

Update from under the Gold Dome

Friend–

The first 30 days of the 2019 legislative sessionGeorgia Equality legislative issues are behind us, are we’ve got a lot of bills to update you on! Thanks to you, our supporters, we have seen progress on a historic number of bills on our legislative priorities. TEN legislative days remain, so make a contribution now and help continue to push for these bills:

For the first time in the history of our state, the House of Representatives passed a bill that specifically protects the LGBTQ community. HB 426, the State Hate Crime Statute, passed the House after hundreds of Georgia Equality supporters contacted their legislators! It now heads to the Senate, and we’re going to need your help again! 

By contrast, because of the huge outpouring of opposition, SB 221, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act which would legalize discrimination under the guise of religious liberty did not receive a hearing in committee, which is another huge accomplishment for our community! We’ve got 10 days left to stop RFRA and  push for hate crime legislation donate now to help us finish the fight. 

Also advancing through the House of Representatives was a trio of HIV/AIDS related bills that Georgia Equality is proud to be supporting–

HB 158, which syncs the Medicaid and ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program) formularies concerning access to antiretroviral drugs,

HB 217, which allows certain groups to distribute clean needles, and

HB 290 which establishes pilot PrEP distribution programs around the state.

The State Senate passed SB 106, the Patients First Act, which would allow the State Department of Community Health the apply for a waiver with the US Department of Health and Human Services for medicaid expansion.

Other bills that we are watching, that did not receive a vote in committee are:

HB 19, the State Civil Rights Bill which would protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in housing, employment and in public spaces,

HB 133, which would ensure medically accurate information is included in HIV/AIDS prevention education,

HB 580, sponsored by Rep. Matthew Wilson, would ban conversion therapy,

We have 10 legislative days left to finish the fight. Are you with us?

Jeff Graham
Executive Director

PS: Don’t forget to join us for LGBTQ Lobby Day on March 21. RSVP now!

by Wes Sanders

BREAKING NEWS: Georgia House passes Hate Crime Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2019

Georgia House of Representatives
Passes Hate Crime Bill

The first bill to ever specifically protect LGBTQ Georgians to pass either legislative chamber in Georgia.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – Tonight, the Georgia State House of Representatives passed HB 426, the first time a hate crime bill that specifically includes protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Georgians to ever passed either legislative body in Georgia. In a vote of 96 to 64, the chamber signaled its support for the bill which passed out of the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee last week.  Continue reading →

by Danielle Quesenberry

PRESS RELEASE: Once Again, Georgia Lawmakers Recklessly Pursue Anti-LGBT Legislation

ATLANTA — Yesterday Senator Marty Harbin (R-16) filed SB 221, so-called “religious liberty” legislation that is poised to bring economic backlash to Georgia for the sixth consecutive year. SB 221 would allow businesses to refuse service to LGBT customers, among others, and would grant taxpayer-funded agencies a broad license to discriminate against LGBT youth, families, and other Georgians. The language mirrors federal language that was recently used by a government-funded foster care agency in South Carolina to justify discriminating against Catholic and Jewish couples looking to serve as foster parents.

Continue reading →