A LGBTQA community Resource for the Carolinas
The other day on Twitter were tweeted by an indie Filmmaker Becca Roth about her upcoming grassroots documentary on Amendment 1 Titled “One: A Story of Love and Equality”
Watch the Trailer Here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=whFNd2u4UXY
Do you like to write about LGBT topics? If so would you like to write for us? We’re looking for volunteers who would be willing to write a couple of original news stories per year for us. Your stories will be seen from our website, Social Media, newsletters. Interested in this opportunity? Get in touch! Thanks!
Asheville, N.C. (December 19, 2012) – LGBT couples will request – and be denied – marriage licenses in their hometowns across the South during January of 2013 as the next stage of the WE DO Campaign, a project of the Campaign for Southern Equality. During these actions elected officials, family members and neighbors will stand in support of the couples, and clergy will lead a prayer service for reconciliation. The purpose of the WE DO Campaign is to call for full equality under federal law and to resist unjust state laws that prohibit marriage equality across the South.
The schedule of WE DO events in January 2013:
January 2 – Hattiesburg, Mississippi
January 4 – Mobile, Alabama
January 7 – Decatur, Georgia
January 9 – Morristown, Tennessee
January 11 – Greenville, South Carolina and Asheville, North Carolina
January 14 – Wilson, North Carolina and Winston-Salem, North Carolina
January 17 – Arlington, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
These actions will take place across a region that many have written off as unwinnable territory for LGBT rights because of the current legal and political climate in Southern states.
“As LGBT people in the South we are often told our choices are to move to another state where legal rights are granted or wait some indefinite period of time until state law changes. LGBT people in Alabama, Mississippi and other Southern states simply cannot wait the 20 or 30 years it may take for them to become full and equal citizens. Fundamental civil rights such as marriage and freedom from employment and housing discrimination must be granted to all citizens of the United States regardless of which state they reside in,” says Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, Executive Director of the Campaign for Southern Equality.
On January 17th, following the action in Arlington, VA, LGBT couples and supporters from across the South will march to Washington, D.C. where Mark Maxwell and Tim Young, a couple from North Carolina will be legally wed.
Rev. Beach-Ferrara also says, “LGBT individuals and families live in every city and town the South, yet do so as second-class citizens. The people taking part in the WE DO Campaign are standing up to say, we are equal and discriminatory laws must change on the federal level.”
The WE DO Campaign began in Asheville, North Carolina in 2011. To date, 38 couples in 10 towns and cities across North and South Carolina have sought marriage licenses as part of the WE DO Campaign. Until full federal equality is achieved, the Campaign for Southern Equality will continue to grow the WE DO Campaign across the South.
The following individuals are available for interviews:
Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, Executive Director of the Campaign for Southern Equality
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Based in the South, the Campaign for Southern Equality is a national effort to assert the full humanity and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in American life and to increase public support for LGBT rights.
http://www.southernequality.org/
In January of 2012, Stage 4 of the WE DO Campaign will take us through multiple Southern states and end in our nation’s capital. As we gear up for this big push, join us for a fun, free day of campaign trainings to build your organizing skills and connect with WE DO participants from other communities.
When: Saturday, December 1, 2012 | 11 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Location: First Congregational Church | Friendship Hall (look for CSE signs!)
20 Oak Street (downtown, off College Street) Asheville, NC, 28801
Registration: Please complete this online registration form so we can plan for meals and workshop attendance.
WE DO Training:
Workshops include Media Training; Transgender and Genderqueer Information; Peacekeeping Team Workshop; and Arts and Social Change. You can read full workshop descriptions here.
If you’re traveling from out of town, community housing will be available.
Additional information about the day is available on the front page of our website: www.southernequality.org
September 22: “What Amendment One Means for You and Your Family” Community Law Workshop (Durham)
An interactive legal workshop offering in-depth analysis of Amendment One and an opportunity for questions and answers.
Led by: Attorneys Meghann Burke and Sharon Thompson
Date: Saturday, September 22th, 2012 | 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Pilgrim United Church of Christ (UCC) | 3011 Academy Road, Durham, NC
Lead Sponsors: Equality NC and Pilgrim UCC
Co-Sponsors: Center for Participatory Change, Western NC Citizens to End Institutional Bigotry, Cogburn & Brazil, P.A., Walton Law Office, Aaron G. Walker of the Dameron Burgin Law Firm, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Southern Poverty Law Center, Lambda Legal and ACLU of North Carolina
You can RSVP at: http://www.facebook.com/events/243907485730866/
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September 29: CSE Family Dinner (Asheville)
Almost every month we gather LGBT folks and allies in order to share a meal and connect directly to equality actions including the WE DO Campaign. Childcare provided will be provided. If you can, bring a favorite dish.
Date: Saturday, September 29, 2012 | 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: At the home of Kathryn Cartledge and Elizabeth Eve | 97 June Sayles Road, Asheville, NC
You can RSVP at: http://www.facebook.com/events/427285414001838/
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October 6: Community Law Workshop at Blue Ridge Pride (Asheville)
Meet with a volunteer attorney and complete your health care power of attorney form on-site for free
Led by: CSE’s Legal Team
Date: October 6, 2012 | 12 to 5 p.m.
Location: Blue Ridge Pride, Pack Square, Asheville, NC (downtown)
Lead Sponsor: Equality NC
Co-sponsors: Center for Participatory Change, Western NC Citizens to End Institutional Bigotry, Pisgah Legal Services, Cogburn & Brazil, P.A., Walton Law Office, Aaron Walker of Dameron Burgin, P.A., National Center for Lesbian Rights, Southern Poverty Law Center, Lambda Legal
If you are a NC attorney and would like to volunteer please email Aaron Sarver at aaron@southernequality.org
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Volunteers Needed
Stage 4 of the WE DO Campaign will take place across eight Southern states in January of 2012. Are you ready to join us? Please fill out this online form if you can participate: http://www.southernequality.org/actions/