From all of us at the Campaign for Southern Equality, Happy New Year! Together, we can move equality and justice for LGBTQ Southerners forward. We’re already off to a busy 2019, but this week some team members from CSE took a minute to reflect on 2018 and remembered some of our most energizing memories from last year. Check out some of the best moments of 2018 while we work out next steps for building power and telling a new story of the South in the new year:
Jasmine Beach-Ferrara
“One of my favorite memories of 2018 is supporting the Starkville Pride organizers, including Emily and Bailey, as they pushed to hold the first ever Pride in their town. We got to support their leadership and provide backend support around connecting them to Robbie Kaplan’s team, organizing, media, fundraising. They went on to host the largest ever parade in Starkville’s history. For me this story is illustrative of this time in the South – the very real political opposition to LGBTQ rights, the readiness of LGBTQ Southerners to lead, and the way that people are ready to show up and express their support.”
Wynston Sanders
“My favorite CSE memories from 2018 was beginning this fellowship, assisting in organizing the Y’all Means Means All brunch and Shop for Equality for CSE, co-facilitating Trans Sensitivity trainings around NC! I’m looking forward to continuing to do the work it takes for our community to thrive holistically in the South.”
Britney Nesbit
“My favorite memory was the orientation retreat to for the 2018 Resource Mobilization Team! We were able to convene 4 amazing Southern LGBTQ grassroots leaders to curate a vision for resourcing movements in their communities while giving them a look at the organizing work going on in CSE’s hometown of Asheville, NC.”
Craig White
“The highlight of 2018 for me was last spring, hosting the forum on creating supportive schools for LGBTQ youth. We had an amazing panel of presenters and a highly engaged conversation with dozens of young people, parents and educators. In April 2019, we’re working with Youth OUTRight to convene a summit of GSA’s and other student groups from schools in Western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. In regions where LGBTQ youth often feel isolated, it’s very exciting to provide an opportunity for them to come together and share ideas for visibility, social engagement and advocacy!”
Ivy Gisbon-Hill
“My favorite CSE memory from 2018 was implementing the first-ever health track at Camp GB this summer. Through the health track we were able to connect trans folks from many states with resources like free HIV testing, screening for high blood pressure, tools for smoking cessation, psychotherapy, and so much more. From a personal perspective I took advantage of our tools for smoking cessation and haven’t had a cigarette since the first day of camp this year. I also got a lot out of the screening for high blood pressure, and since camp have been able to come off of my blood pressure medication.”
Al Murray
“My favorite memory has been connecting with local business who support LGBTQ lived and legal equality in the South. Through our Shop For Equality event, we heard loud and clear from businesses in and around Asheville that this community won’t stand for the exclusion of LGBTQ folks under their roofs, from their services or at their tables. We found that many Asheville businesses are supporting and celebrating the lived experiences of Trans and gender-expansive patrons by using all-gender restroom signage and expanding their language beyond the binary.”
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