by Danielle Quesenberry

2019 Legislative Preview

 

It’s always a challenge to predict what will happen in any upcoming legislative session, but the 2019 session is already shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in decades. While Republicans still have large majorities in both the House and the Senate, Democrats flipped a total of eleven seats in the House and two in the Senate. Perhaps more importantly, there are an additional sixteen seats in the House and six in the Senate that could be competitive in the 2020 election. That fact alone could make for some interesting politics. However, beyond the simple partisan math, due to incumbents who either retired or lost seats in the primary or general elections, there will be some 30 new members of the legislature. While roughly half of them we know to be pro-equality, we don’t know much about the others and how they will vote on issues of concern to Georgia Equality’s members and the LGBTQ community.

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by Wes Sanders

We will not stop fighting.

Over the last few weeks, you’ve heard Chanel, Eric, Shannon, DeMarcus, Amanda, and Michael and Matt talk about Georgia Equality’s work over the past year. I hope you had a chance to read what they had to say. 2018 has indeed been a busy year in the fight for LGBTQ equality in Georgia, and your support is why Georgia Equality has been so successful this year. As we close the final hours of this year, I wanted to ask you to fund Georgia Equality’s fight for 2019.

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by Wes Sanders

Help me go out with a bang!

It is bittersweet that I’m sharing with you that tomorrow is my  last day as Deputy Director at Georgia Equality. I want to go out with a bang, but I’ll need your help! Today, I’m asking you to donate to continue the work I’ve been lucky to be apart of.

From numerous victories against anti-LGBTQ legislation to developing and expanding strategic programming for LGBTQ people throughout the state, Georgia Equality works incredibly hard to ensure we are treated with dignity and respect. I’m thankful having the opportunity to work, learn, and grow in this space. I’m also honored to have worked with such an amazing crew of brilliant minds and tremendously inspiring thought leaders – Jeff Graham, Wes Sanders, Eric Paulk, Percy Brown, Chanel Haley, and Shannon Clawson. They are rock stars in their work and wonderful friends to have in my extended family.

As I transition from staff member to donor, I know the fight for equality in Georgia doesn’t end when I leave these doors. It is why I’m asking you join me in funding the important and necessary work Georgia Equality does for LGBTQ people and our familes.

And to you – Georgia Equaliy members, volunteers and donors – thank you for lifting me up, joining our calls to action, and giving your support by volunteering your time or funding the movement. Will you join me in supporting Georgia Equality again today? 
 

With much appreciation and gratitude-

Amanda Hill-Attkisson, Deputy Director

by Wes Sanders

Georgia Equality invested in me

Dear Friend,

I’m DeMarcus Beckham, a member of Georgia Equality’s Board of Directors from Macon. My connection to Georgia Equality began as an intern for the organization almost two years ago, and I’m asking you to join me in donating to the organization that has given so much to me and other LGBTQ Georgians.

Being an advocate for my communities has always been my passion and my calling. Through the years, Georgia Equality fed my passion and provided resources for my success. I gained a voice that many others have fought for me to have, and now use that voice as a leader in Georgia’s movement for LGBTQ equality.

For the last five years, Georgia Equality has fought against RFRA and other anti-LGBTQ legislation, built programs to develop the next generation of transgender leaders, and led the path to make Georgia safer for LGBTQ people and our allies.

From my days as an intern to currently sitting on the board, I’m proud to be part of the Georgia Equality family and its amazing work across the state. This holiday season, I encourage you to invest in Georgia Equality the way the organization has invested in me. Please support Georgia Equality by making a donation to continue our work across the state.

 

Sincerely,

DeMarcus Beckham, Board of Directors

by Wes Sanders

December 2 – 8 is the LGBTQ ACA Enrollment Week of Action!

The purpose of this week is to maximize outreach, engagement,  and enrollment of LGBTQ communities ahead of the December 15th enrollment deadline. Our partners at Out2Enroll and organizations across the country will use this week to promote the importance of LGBTQ community engagement and enrollment, educate LGBTQ consumers about their rights under the Affordable Care Act, and help ensure that LGBTQ people are able to access the health coverage and care they need.

 

You can help us spread the word by liking and sharing our posts from Facebook and Twitter all week long. Recent polling data shows that almost 4 out of 5 people who are uninsured or buy their own insurance don’t know the deadline, think it’s a different day, or refused to answer. The number who simply said they didn’t know the deadline increased from 53 percent last October to 61 percent this month.

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