During the 2016 LGBT* in the South conference, the fifth round of the Southern Equality Fund granted $2,800 to support 8 unique projects across five different Southern states.
The Campaign for Southern Equality believes the work being done on the front-lines, like the work these folks are doing, is the most crucial and will have the most long-lasting impact on what it means to be LGBTQ in the South.
It is an honor to be able to support these projects and we are committed to continue growing our funding support for LGBTQ grassroots organizers across our region through the Southern Equality Fund.
2016 LGBT* in the South Southern Equality Fund Award Recipients:
Diego Barrera, NW Center for Sexual Assault (Arkansas)
Distribute materials and information about available services and start a project targeting the LGBTQ community and led by an LGBTQ advocate to support and educate LGBTQ survivors of sexual assualt.
Luce Beagle, “Beagle”, Empowered Transitions (North Carolina)
Hold a workshop about childbirth for trans-masculine, gender queer/fluid/expansive, butch and queer individuals and their partners/teams/families. The workshop will focus on building confidence when talking with healthcare providers about the individuals’ needs, limits and expectations.
Bri Carter, (Bi)ased (Georgia)
Form a group that will meet regularly to hold discussion, host workshops, and build community; create an official website with tools and resources for bisexual people of color; and continue finding ways to hold the broader LGBTQ and bisexual community accountable through dialogue and education.
Maggie Heatley, Alright Rebel (South Carolina)
Expand the impact of the Facebook group called “Alright Rebel” to have a physical meeting space for Queer and Trans people of color, especially in rural communities of Charleston, SC, to continue discussion and dialogue about race and class in this community, and for participants to be able to express their ideas in a safe space, both virtual and physical.
Amanda Keller, Magic City Acceptance Center (Alabama)
Host the third annual Prom for queer youth, the only event of its kind in all of Alabama. This event is for youth ages 13-24 and their partners, allies and loved ones, and the invitation is for them to come as they are and to express themselves as they feel comfortable. This year they’re hoping to invite a music group made up of queer youth to perform at the event.
Emanuel Mejia Lopez, The Red Ribbon Society (North Carolina)
Create safe spaces for HIV+ individuals, but also provide education in order to decrease discrimination and new infections, with a focus on the LGBT community. Host summer gatherings where HIV+ folks can meet with other HIV+ folks and share experiences, form support strategies, and not only begin new conversations but also be able to come out of the shadows.
Leo Martinez, Latino LinQ (Georgia)
Develop a program where Latinx parents of LGBTQ youth serve as “promotorxs” to provide peer education and support other parents of LGBTQ Latinx youth, in order to respond to the cultural and religious barriers faced by LGTBQ Latinx youth when they are wanting to come out to their parents.
Estrella Sanchez, GA Translatina Coalition (Georgia)
Raise awareness of the needs and issues faced by the Trans community, especially Latina and undocumented Trans folks, and find effective ways to advocate and form strategies that will enable those individuals to continue improving the quality of their daily lives. Advocate on their behalf to support them in their search for justice, respect, equality, dignity, safety, and to be included in society.
