This webinar took place August 15, 2018. Missed it? Scroll down to watch the full recording and download resources shared during the webinar.
Voting in local, state and federal elections is part of how we can change policies to end local law enforcement’s collaboration with ICE. To end the practice of money bail. To pass local non-discrimination ordinances. To make our schools safer for trans and LGBQ students. To create living wage jobs. To increase access to quality and affordable healthcare. Now, more than ever, our votes matter. We know voting alone isn’t enough to create the world we want to live in, but it is a necessary part of the work.
This grassroots training webinar, “Queer the Vote: Taking Back our Democracy,” covers what groups can and can’t do around elections and how much much they can spend (with 501(c)3 funding); how to use existing resources to get people to the polls; and different strategies for how to target populations that have had lower turnout.
This webinar, along with our annual #QueerTheVote grant round, is part of our commitment to supporting grassroots groups across the South to mobilize voters through nonpartisan voter registration and turn out drives.
Webinar Recording:
Resources:
Presentation Slides – #QueerTheVote Webinar
New Voter Restriction Laws in the US South since 2011 – by state
Nonpartisan Voter Mobilization Resource Directory
Nonpartisan Voter Mobilization – Keeping It Legal
Panelists:
Que Bell, The Knights &Orchid Society
Quentin “Que” Bell is a Black Trans activist, entrepreneur, and mentor born and raised in historic Selma, Alabama. Que received his Bachelor’s degree from Alabama State University in Business Administration with an Entrepreneurial Concentration. While at ASU in 2012, Que founded The Knights & Orchids Society a southern centered grassroots startup led by black, queer, transgender, and gender non-conforming people fighting at the intersections of racial and gender justice. Since 2012 Quentin’s goal remains unchanged, to improve the quality of life within the LGBTQ+ community by creating safe spaces that empower, educate, and unite Trans, GNC, & Queer role models of color. Que has dedicated his adult life to actively serving in leadership positions to help advance the fight for LGBTQ equality and inclusion while increasing visibility for Trans men of color.
TC Caldwell, Coffeehouse Poets and The Knights & Orchids Society
Traniesa “TC” Caldwell uses she/they pronouns. Poet activist. Grew up in the rural south. Believes in community. Founder of CoffeeHouse Poets and Creative Director for The Knights & Orchids Society.
Tori Wolfe-Sisson, Blk Pearl
Tori Wolfe-Sisson is a Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer at BLK Pearl. BLK Pearl is a learning and leisure organization empowering Black, Brown, Indigenous, Transgender and Queer Women in the American South and Rural places around the Globe. Lead organizer of the largest protests and rallies in support of LGBTQ+ people and youth immigrants in Alabama this decade, Tori has been a bridge between movement moments. Equity for all is the vision they work to see each day from dusk to dawn. A proud wife to the brilliant Shanté Wolfe-Sisson, lovingly aloof parent to Whammie the cat, Tori enjoys painting with friends, horseback riding and trips to the driving range. Secretly they are a conference call comedian, dial 7 for details. (;
