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Mission & Description
Mission: To advance fairness, safety and opportunity for Georgia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied communities.
GE was founded in 1995. As Georgia’s largest statewide LGBT advocacy group, we work toward our mission through two partner organizations: Georgia Equality, Inc. and the Equality Foundation of Georgia.
Georgia Equality, Inc. undertakes political action to build a fair majority in Georgia. We are currently implementing the Campaign for a Fair Majority – our strategic plan for LGBT equality in Georgia. Year-round lobbying and strategic involvement in state and local elections are working to build a bi-partisan fair majority in the state legislature and among local elected officials across the state.
Equality Foundation of Georgia supports the Campaign for a Fair Majority through education, training, and analysis. Through the Equality Foundation of Georgia, we conduct voter registration and education activities, provide information and resources for effective communication with decision makers, and work to organize and mobilize LGBT residents and allies to advance fairness in urban, suburban, and rural communities across the state.
Accomplishments
When GE was established in 1995, the average Georgian had less exposure to LGBT people and was less educated about the issues that impact our lives than today. There were no openly gay elected officials in the state and the only legal protections we had against discrimination were in Atlanta.
Today, we have openly gay and lesbian elected officials in Atlanta, Decatur, East Point, Pine Lake, and in the General Assembly. We have even elected a transgender person to the Riverdale City Council. Seven cities and three counties have joined Atlanta in prohibiting discrimination, and several of these jurisdictions also offer domestic partner registries for citizens and benefits to city employees.
In the last decade, LGBT Georgians have come out in droves to their neighbors and colleagues. A majority of state lawmakers have friends and family members who are gay, and many of those, including those in the Republican leadership, openly admit that fact.
Georgia Equality has had a significant role in the progress made in the last 14 years. We’ve helped advance fairness, safety and opportunity for Georgia’s LGBT community on the following fronts:
Hate Crimes
- Passage of the Georgia Anti-Domestic Terrorism Act of 2000 (hate crimes law that no longer exists as the result of a 2004 Georgia Supreme Court ruling)
- Building coalition with law enforcement and other organizations to support new hate crimes legislation and ensure hearings in 2009
Domestic partners
- Passage of a state law securing the right of same-sex partners to ride in ambulances and have hospital visitation
- Domestic partnership benefits for the employees of four large Georgia-based companies: Coca-Cola, Atlanta Gas Light, BellSouth and Delta Air Lines
- Domestic partnership benefits for employees of Fulton County, City of Atlanta, DeKalb County, and Grady Health System
Workplace protection
- Non-discrimination ordinances for employees of Savannah, East Point, Clarkston, Doraville, Atlanta, Athens-Clarke County, Decatur, DeKalb and Fulton Counties, and Grady Health System
- Secured the first hearing in history at the Georgia General Assembly for legislation that would protect LGBT people from discrimination in the workplace
HIV/AIDS
- Full funding of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) for uninsured people living with HIV
- Passage of the first pro-active HIV prevention legislation in over a decade
- Developed the first state-wide coalition of providers and community advocates
School Safety
- Secured passage of state-wide anti-bullying law in 2010.
Adoption
- Prevented the introduction of a constitutional amendment that would have prohibited adoptions by LGBT couples
- Building coalition with non-LGBT specific groups to oppose anti-gay adoption legislation
And, we’ve helped elect people who understand our issues and will work on behalf of LGBT Georgians:
- Helped elect Cathy Woolard as the first openly-gay and first female President of the Atlanta City Council, Doraville Councilmember Brian Bates as the first openly-gay Republican in the Deep South, and former Riverdale Councilmember Michelle Bruce as one of only three transgender elected officials in the country, Alex Wan as the first openly-gay man on the Atlanta City Council, and Simone Bell as the first open-lesbian of color elected to state house in the nation.
- Increased the number of openly-LGBT elected officials from zero in 1997 to nine in 2007
- 85% scorecard for the 2008 state elections – including protecting 28 incumbent legislators and justices and playing a decisive roles in election of Rep. Dee Dawkins-Hagler, Rep. Rashad Taylor, and Appellate Court Justice Sarah Doyle as well as the defeat of notoriously anti-gay Sen. Nancy Shafer.
- 86% scorecard for the 2007 municipal elections – including wins in the Riverdale mayoral race and in 7 of the 9 Savannah city races – to lay the groundwork for passing pro-LGBT local ordinances
Staff
Jeff Graham, Executive Director
Jeff began his work in lesbian and gay politics in the mid-80's when he co-founded the first Gay and Lesbian Student Association in south Texas. Jeff moved to Atlanta in 1989 and served for five years as the media coordinator for the activist group ACT UP/Atlanta. For more than 13 years he served as the executive director of AIDS Survival Project, at statewide HIV advocacy organization. In addition to his work with Georgia Equality, he currently serves on the boards of directors for advocacy organizations such as the federal Communities Advocating Emergency AIDS Relief (CAEAR) Coalition and Georgians for a Healthy Future.
Jeff has received numerous awards and recognition for both his advocacy and nonprofit work from organizations such as the National Center for Human Rights Education, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Atlanta City Council and Southern Voice’s Best of Gay Atlanta. He was named the Grand Marshall of the 1999 Atlanta Pride celebration.
jeff@georgiaequality.org
Melinda Sheldon, Deputy Director
In 1993 Melinda Sheldon began a career in the United States Air Force as an Operations Resource Manager. The following year she was named Air Combat Command Resource Manager of the Year. After four years of distinguished service, Sheldon separated honorably and returned to her home State of Georgia, where she served an additional two years in the Air Force Reserve. She is a member of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, an organization dedicated to ending the military’s "Don’t Ask Don’t Tell" policy. In 2006, she appeared on Air America Radio as a guest commentator to discuss the policy. As an activist and outspoken defender of LGBT equality, Sheldon has been featured in Southern Voice, Athens Banner Herald, and Chattanooga Times Free Press. She has been featured as an LGBT speaker at events such as Atlanta’s Annual Black Gay Pride Parade, Savannah Pride, and Valdosta Pride. Sheldon graduated from Oglethorpe University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Management in May 2006. She has been on the staff of Georgia Equality since 2004. In May 2010 Sheldon and partner Suzanne were married in Vermont and currently reside in High Shoals, GA.
melinda@georgiaequality.org
Em Elliott, Field Organizer
Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, Em Elliott came to work for Georgia Equality in August 2010 through the Lutheran Volunteer Corp (LVC), a year long program that unites full-time stipended Volunteers with non-profit organizations to work for peace with justice across the nation. In addition to working for justice, LVC Volunteers live together in intentional household community to encourage simple, sustainable living. Em was just recently accepted for a second year in the program and will be staying with Georgia Equality until August 2012. Em began working for LGBT rights in college as an active member of Wittenberg University’s GSA and was an outspoken advocate against hate crimes on the campus and surrounding area. Em’s work is currently focused on the Safe Schools Campaign working to enact anti-bullying policies throughout the state of Georgia in partnership with the Georgia Safe Schools Coalition. Em graduated from Wittenberg University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in May 2010.
Board of Directors
Michael Petty, Chair
Athens, GA
Michael was born and raised in the mountains of North Georgia but has called Athens his home since 1998. He has been active in the Athens community, serving for5 years on the Board of Directors of the Boybutante AIDS Foundation, including1 year as President. He served as president of the University of Georgia School of Law’s LGBT student organization and was one of the founding members of the Athens-area LGBT advocacy organization, Just Equal. Currently he serves on the Board of AIDS Athens and as one of two representatives from North America on the Board of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA). He joined the Board of Georgia Equality in the fall of 2007. Michael works in Monroe as an Assistant Public Defender.
Gail Cowie
Atlanta, GA
Gail Cowie has been involved with a number of feminist and LGBT rights organizations in Athens and Atlanta since the early 1980s. She has provided advocacy for survivors of violence against women, worked to protect access to legal abortion, advocated for LGBT rights locally and at the University of Georgia, and worked on local and state election campaigns. Most recently, she helped found Northeast Georgians Against Discrimination and Just Equal, coordinating Just Equal’s successful campaign for provision of domestic partner benefits by Athens-Clarke County. She has served on the boards or coordinating committees of a number of other Athens and Atlanta-based organizations, including Project Safe, AIDS Athens, the Atlanta Feminist Women’s Health Center, the University of Georgia’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Employees and Supporters (GLOBES) and the Georgia River Network. She joined the Equality Foundation of Georgia’s board in December 2007. In her “day job”, Gail focuses on environmental policy, currently working as a Senior Planning and Policy Adviser at the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
Jamie Ensley, Treasurer
Atlanta, GA
Jamie serves as Treasurer for both Georgia Equality and the Equality Foundation of Georgia. He also serves as Secretary for the national board of the Log Cabin Republicans, President of the Georgia Log Cabin Republicans, 57th District Chairman of the Fulton County Republican Party, and Campaign Treasurer for Rep. Mike Jacobs. In addition, he also serves as Treasurer for the Atlanta Dogwood Festival and YouthPride. Jamie is a SBA Business Development Officer for Wells Fargo Bank.. He is an Atlanta native, but was raised in the mountains of North Georgia. He obtained a B.S. from Louisiana State University with a degree in Economics.
Kevin Clark
Savannah, GA
coming soon...
Jamie Roberts
Newnan, GA
Jamie Roberts was born and raised in Griffin, Georgia, graduate of Georgia College and State University in 1994 in Milledgeville, GA with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. Later graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law in 1999. Began practice of law in 1999, first in civil legal assistance, later in private practice followed by employment with LaGender, Inc. serving the transgender community of Georgia. Since 2006 working for the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council as an Assistant Public Defender in the Coweta Circuit. Volunteer activist, amateur videographer.
Kenyatta Mitchell
Atlanta, GA
Kenyatta is a freelance economic development and real estate consultant. She received her Master's in International Politics from Clark Atlanta University in 1998. She also received her bachelor’s degree in History from the same university in 1996. Prior to becoming a freelance professional, Kenyatta has worked as an advisor to two Georgia Governors and was a Senior Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Kenyatta also serves on the board of the Organized Neighbors of Summerhill.
Sumner E. Riddick, II
Atlanta, GA
Sumner joined the board in December, 2009. Sumner is a partner in the law firm of Koehler & Riddick, LLC, a litigation firm located in Lawrenceville, Georgia specializing in Family Law and Criminal Law. Sumner has previously chaired the Board of Directors for AIDGwinnett, as well as the Board of Directors for the Middle Georgia Ryan White Consortium. He is also presently on the Board of Directors for the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia.
Glen Paul Freedman
Atlanta, GA
Glen Paul joined the Board in March 2011. He is Executive Assistant to the President (Lisa M. Borders) at Grady Health Foundation. Glen Paul also runs GP Political Consultants, Political Campaign Consulting Services which includes Political Campaign Logistics Consulting, Governmental Affairs & Political Event Planning.He has served on local and national Boards including Georgia Equality, Atlanta HRC Steering Committee, National Board of Governors of the HRC, For The Kid in All of Us, Atlanta Pride Committee, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and InterPride.
Casey Lawing
Atlanta, GA
Casey joined the Board in March 2011. He is a Certified Public Accountant who works for The Coca-Cola Company as a Principal Auditor within the Corporate Audit Department. Casey obtained both a Bachelor and Master of Science degree in Accountancy from Wake Forest University in 2004. He also serves on the Board of Directors and head of the strategic planning committee for the Midtown Assistance Center, a nonprofit, inter-faith organization whose mission is to provide emergency assistance to the working poor of Midtown and Downtown Atlanta to prevent homelessness and hunger during periods of crisis.
Kenyatta Mitchell, Chair
Atlanta, GA
Kenyatta is a freelance economic development and real estate consultant. She received her Master's in International Politics from Clark Atlanta University in 1998. She also received her bachelor’s degree in History from the same university in 1996. Prior to becoming a freelance professional, Kenyatta has worked as an advisor to two Georgia Governors and was a Senior Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Kenyatta also serves on the board of the Organized Neighbors of Summerhill.
Michael Petty
Athens, GA
Michael was born and raised in the mountains of North Georgia but has called Athens his home since 1998. He has been active in the Athens community, serving for5 years on the Board of Directors of the Boybutante AIDS Foundation, including1 year as President. He served as president of the University of Georgia School of Law’s LGBT student organization and was one of the founding members of the Athens-area LGBT advocacy organization, Just Equal. Currently he serves on the Board of AIDS Athens and as one of two representatives from North America on the Board of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA). He joined the Board of Georgia Equality in the fall of 2007. Michael works in Monroe as an Assistant Public Defender.
Jamie Ensley
Atlanta, GA
Jamie serves as Treasurer for both Georgia Equality and the Equality Foundation of Georgia. He also serves as Secretary for the national board of the Log Cabin Republicans, President of the Georgia Log Cabin Republicans, 57th District Chairman of the Fulton County Republican Party, and Campaign Treasurer for Rep. Mike Jacobs. In addition, he also serves as Treasurer for the Atlanta Dogwood Festival and YouthPride. Jamie is a SBA Business Development Officer for Wells Fargo Bank. He is an Atlanta native, but was raised in the mountains of North Georgia. He obtained a B.S. from Louisiana State University with a degree in Economics.
Jamie Roberts
Newnan, GA
Jamie Roberts was born and raised in Griffin, Georgia, graduate of Georgia College and State University in 1994 in Milledgeville, GA with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. Later graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law in 1999. Began practice of law in 1999, first in civil legal assistance, later in private practice followed by employment with LaGender, Inc. serving the transgender community of Georgia. Since 2006 working for the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council as an Assistant Public Defender in the Coweta Circuit. Volunteer activist, amateur videographer.
Sumner E. Riddick, II
Atlanta, GA
Sumner joined the board in December, 2009. Sumner is a partner in the law firm of Koehler & Riddick, LLC, a litigation firm located in Lawrenceville, Georgia specializing in Family Law and Criminal Law. Sumner has previously chaired the Board of Directors for AIDGwinnett, as well as the Board of Directors for the Middle Georgia Ryan White Consortium. He is also presently on the Board of Directors for the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia.
Matthew Moeggenberg
Mableton, GA
Matthew has been an Atlanta, Georgia resident for nearly a decade and is the Managing Broker for Encore Group Realtors, a commercial and residential property sales and management firm. Mr. Moeggenberg
attends First Metropolitan Community Church of Atlanta and has served in various leadership positions with different professional and trade organizations. Mr. Moeggenberg has been involved with Georgia Equality for over 5 years.
Casey Lawing, Treasurer
Atlanta, GA
Casey joined the Board in March 2011. He is a Certified Public Accountant who works for The Coca-Cola Company as a Principal Auditor within the Corporate Audit Department. Casey obtained both a Bachelor and Master of Science degree in Accountancy from Wake Forest University in 2004. He also serves on the Board of Directors and head of the strategic planning committee for the Midtown Assistance Center, a nonprofit, inter-faith organization whose mission is to provide emergency assistance to the working poor of Midtown and Downtown Atlanta to prevent homelessness and hunger during periods of crisis.
Kevin Clark
Savannah, GA
coming soon...
