Current Job Openings
Southern Equality Studios Coordinator – Learn More Here
Core Beliefs
We believe it is possible to create a South where all people can thrive. That means being treated equally under the law, but it means far more than this. It means living authentically, with a sense of belonging and the recognition of our full worth and dignity. It means being free to be who you are and love who you in love, in both your private life and in the public square.
We believe that Southerners impacted by injustice will be the architects of our liberation. We believe that race, gender, class, and sexuality are deeply entwined in the lives of Southerners and in the communities we work with: working on LGBTQ+ equality in the South inherently means working on racial, gender and economic justice.
We recognize that injustices and inequalities, such as racism, are rooted systemically, and are experienced both personally and collectively. We believe it will take many different strategies to achieve legal and lived LGBTQ+ equality in the South and thus use a range of tools and maintain a nimble posture as we work to achieve change through CSE’s work.
Equity
Our equity work started the day CSE launched and will be ongoing during our lifespan as an organization. As a LGBTQ+ advocacy organization in the South, we are part of a community diverse in race, gender, class, age, sexuality and geography. Within this broad diversity, race, class and gender equity require and deserve particular attention and resources because of how they intersect with other justice issues in both historical and contemporary contexts. Implementing our Equity Plan requires significant care and resources and engagement from all staff, Board Members and lead volunteers.
Empathy
Our work is rooted in the ethic of empathic resistance, an ethical commitment which calls us to resist oppressive laws and systems while expressing empathy toward all, including those who oppose our rights. This ethic guides our work with community members, those on the opposing side of issues, and other organizations. It guides our programming, communications and strategy. This commitment to empathy does not mean compromising core beliefs and strategies; rather it is a posture of recognizing and naming shared humanity as an act of love and resistance.
Living Wage Certification
The Campaign for Southern Equality is proud to be a Living Wage Certified Employer, certified through Just Economics WNC. Learn more about what it means to be Living Wage Certified by clicking here.
