The LGBT South is a weekly email newsletter, compiling national, regional, and local news important to LGBT Southerners. Subscribe to get the latest edition to your inbox every Friday morning and keep up with what the Campaign for Southern Equality is up to!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“It won’t happen immediately. It may not even happen soon. But a government of self-satisfied yes-men will, eventually, overestimate itself and underestimate the people. That is why the work cannot stop; the demands for racial and gender and economic equality cannot cease. There will come a moment when a bloated, bigoted system will fail itself, and love will trump hate.
We must be ready to seize it.”
– Writer Andrea Grimes, “Love Will Trump Hate (Eventually)”
Here’s your breakdown of what’s happening this week in the #LGBTsouth:
WHAT COMES NEXT?
As returns from Tuesday’s presidential election came pouring in into the early hours of Wednesday morning, many of us sat in shock as it became increasingly likely – and was ultimately confirmed – that Donald Trump would become the President-elect of this country. There is so much anger, pain, and sadness right now, and many of us are looking for a way forward; a way to process, to grieve, to feel safe; some idea of what this means for our country and our community. Most of these things can only be revealed in time, and while countless commentary pieces have been written since Tuesday evening, in the LGBT South Newsletter, we hope to share not just the pain, but some hope as well. Here are some of the pieces that are sticking with us this week, as we work to process and find some answers.
In “Americans have voted for Trumpism. Let them have it.“, Catherine Rampell writes, “Maybe the only way for Americans to really, truly understand how toxic, wrong-headed and futile Trump’s policies are is to let him provide proof of concept.”
Read what our Executive Director, Jasmine Beach-Ferrara wrote the morning after the election:
This morning, it’s hard to find the words about where we are as a country.
Last night’s election results threaten the extraordinary progress we’ve seen toward LGBTQ equality in recent years.
We don’t have answers today about what comes next. This much is clear – we are going to need new strategies, new approaches in the push for full equality.
We want you to know we are here with you. And we know that people are feeling so many different things – from anger, to despair, to resolve, to finding some solace in a long-view perspective.
But we are also hearing a lot of people express fear, especially those in our country who have long been under attack – communities of color, immigrants, LGBTQ people, women, and survivors of rape and sexual assault.
Know that you’re not alone right now. Reach out to people, if you need help don’t be afraid to ask. If you can offer support, please do. The number for the 24/7 National Suicide Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. Take care of yourself, and each other.
What I’m thinking about is the community of extraordinary people who are working for justice and equality across the South and our nation. I’m thinking about your courage, your strength, the ways you find hope – and hold on for dear life – in the face of hatred, in the face of long odds.
Here at CSE we are honored to be part of this movement and today, more than ever, we know how vital this work is and how much bravery, imagination, and love we must summon moving forward. We won’t ever stop fighting for full LGBTQ equality.
With Love,
Jasmine
WHAT THE CAMPAIGN FOR SOUTHERN EQUALITY IS UP TO
Join us in welcoming the members of the Southern Equality Fund Advisory Council!
This past weekend, CSE staff and the Advisory Council got together to scheme and dream about radical redistribution of resources in the South. Over the next year, the Advisory Council will be making grassroots grants through the Southern Equality Fund, and working closely with staff to create opportunities for additional training, support and networking for LGBTQ grassroots leaders and groups across the South. In times like these, we are especially grateful for their leadership and are beyond honored to stand next to them in this work.Read more about the Advisory Council here.
Advisory Council members (Back to Front, Left to Right): Femi Shittu, Ignite NC and QORDS – Greensboro, NC; Daroneshia Duncan, TAKE Peer Group – Birmingham, AL; Dr. Nicole Cathey, Inner Light Community and Tougaloo College – Jackson, MS; Mary Jamis, M Creative and North Star LGBT Center – Winston-Salem, NC; Cecilia Sáenz Becerra, National Women’s Health Network – Atlanta, GA; and Carter West, GenderBenders – Taylors, SC.
