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
“We cannot withdraw from big global fights to expand democracy and human rights and women’s rights and LGBT rights. No matter how imperfect our efforts, no matter how expedient ignoring such values may seem, that’s part of defending America.”
– President Barack Obama in his farewell address to the nation on January 10
Here’s your breakdown of what’s happening this week in the #LGBTsouth:
THE END OF AN ERA
As the nation prepares for the inauguration of the current President-elect next week, many are looking back at the past eight years of progress under President Obama’s administration. Obama gave his farewell address to the nation this week, reflecting on his message of change and advocating for the continued belief in hope and democracy. Part of the legacy President Obama will leave behind is that of the greatest period of progress on LGBTQ rights that any administration has seen.
Under the Obama Administration, the nation has seen:
The repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, allowing lesbian, gay, and bisexual soldiers to serve openly
The repeal of a ban preventing transgender people from serving openly in the military
An increase in the number of citizens in favor of same-sex marriage and LGBTQ rights
The striking down of DOMA and the Supreme Court decision Obergefell vs. Hodges, which made same-sex marriage legal nationwide
The signing of federal workplace protections for LGBT workers
The first mention of transgender and bisexual Americans in a State of the Union address
It’s no question that, however contentious, President Obama worked to make huge strides in progress for LGBTQ communities, and heading into these next four years of uncertainty, knowing it will be on us to continue this progress, we should keep this message from his farewell address in mind: “If you’re tired of arguing with strangers on the Internet, try talking with one of them in real life. If something needs fixing, then lace up your shoes and do some organizing. If you’re disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clip board, get some signatures, and run for office yourself. […] I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change — but in yours.”
We’re just two years into giving away a modest percentage of our budget to support grassroots work, and the impact is incredible. The Southern Equality Fund, launched in 2015, is a micro-granting project that invests in grassroots leadership in isolated and underresourced areas – with no strings attached.
Through 7 rounds of funding, $29,112 was given away in small grants to 46 grassroots groups and leaders (average grant amount $250-$500), across 9 southern states (AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, VA).
2016 was a year of growth, new leadership, and innovation for the Fund. Read below to see what was funded in 2016, how grassroots leaders are taking charge in funding decisions, and how we’re stepping up to invest in trans leaders and provide support beyond funding through training and networking.
Grassroots Leadership makes funding decisions
Six grassroots leaders from across the South make up the Southern Equality Fund Advisory Council, which is in charge of making grassroots grants and working closely with staff to create opportunities for additional training, support and networking for LGBTQ grassroots leaders and groups across the South.
New opportunities for training and support
In 2016, we set plans in motion to roll out a series of opportunities for leaders to connect with training and support in 2017. Organizing events, leading meetings, raising money, partnering with other organizations, writing press releases, coordinating volunteers, dealing with conflict, using social media, bridging race and class and age and gender differences, doing effective advocacy, leading direct actions – there’s a lot involved in grassroots organizing for LGBTQ groups in the South. That’s why we’re committed to providing well-rounded support for these groups and leaders. Whether through online or in-person trainings, one-on-one support, or local or regional gatherings, the Southern Equality Fund will go beyond funding to strengthen grassroots capacity for the long haul.
The number of grants we awarded in 2016 was almost triple the amount awarded in 2015. Even still, the number of groups we’ve supported so far is only a fraction of the grassroots groups across the South that are doing incredible work to achieve lived equality in their hometowns. We still have a long way to go before grassroots organizers on the frontlines of the LGBTQ movement have access to the resources and support needed to sustain them and their work. We are deeply honored to stand behind so many inspiring grassroots leaders and look forward to continuing to increase our support in a variety of ways in 2017. Read more about the Southern Equality Fund and the grants given in 2016 on our blog.
WHAT THE CAMPAIGN FOR SOUTHERN EQUALITY IS UP TO
Across the South right now LGBTQ people are scared, have questions about their legal rights and often face considerable barriers to accessing clear information, resources, and support to protect their rights. That’s why the Campaign for Southern Equality is hosting a series of free LGBTQ Legal Clinics across North Carolina, Mississippi, and Alabama throughout January.
This series of free legal workshops, led by volunteer attorneys and transgender leaders, will cover issues such as name changes for trans folks, health care power of attorney documents for LGBTQ youth, how to obtain a passport for gender marker changes and second parent adoptions to help protect LGBTQ families.
CSE is also funding a Post-Election Rapid Response round of grants through our Southern Equality Fund, which supports grassroots LGBTQ Southern leaders through direct funding, training and leadership development.We need new organizing strategies and new models for providing services and support to LGBTQ Southerners. We want to hear your ideas – and we want to fund you.
