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Save the Date for the 9th Annual Evening for Equality - June 29, 2013
Now in its ninth year, Evening for Equality is expected to draw some 300 of Georgia’s most important community leaders to Twelve Hotel at Atlantic Station on Saturday, June 29th for the presentation of Georgia Equality’s Equality Awards. Guests will gather for a reception to recognize and celebrate the contributions of several leaders in the movement to advance fairness, safety and opportunity for Georgia’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and allied communities.
For sponsorship and host committee information click here or contact Wes Sanders at wes@georgiaequality.org or 404-523-3070 ext. 4.
GENERAL TICKETS AVAILABLE JUNE 01
Help Double Our Impact in 2013!
In 2013 it is our goal to double our impact! If we expect to bring equality home to Georgia, then policy makers in Georgia must hear from not only us, but our families, our friends, our coworkers and our neighbors.
We are asking you to sign up at least TWO people you know who support LGBT equality to our Action Network so that they will receive vital information affecting LGBT Georgians and allies..
Georgia Fair Employment Practices Act
Representative Karla Drenner (D-85) re-introduced the
Georgia Fair Employment Practices Act. This legislation, first introduced in 2011, would amend state labor laws to add safeguards from discrimination in public employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity. House Bill 427 is cosponsored by a total of 67 members of the House of Representatives, including 55 Democrats, 11 Republicans and 1 Independent. All 174,000 employees working for the State of Georgia would be protected from discriminatory hiring and firing practices. If the legislation passes, Georgia would join twenty-four states and the District of Columbia that offer similar protections for public employees.
“Georgia state law currently provides no protections for LGBT people, resulting in unfair treatment and many costly lawsuits. The victorious case of transgender woman Vandy Beth Glenn who was wrongfully fired from her job at the Capitol is one example for the need for legislation to prevent these cases from coming up in the first place,” stated Georgia Equality executive director, Jeff Graham. Graham added, “While this legislation does not address private employment in Georgia, it would provide clear instructions to agencies, supervisors and employees to prevent discrimination in public employment and set the tone for the rest of the state’s business sector.”
More...
Join The Campaign For Safe Schools
Including the words "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" in anti-bullying policies can mean the difference between a teacher intervening when anti-gay taunts are thrown around, or looking the other way to protect their job. It means the difference between a youth feeling safe enough to come out of the closet or waiting for years until "it gets better". It means the difference between a student reporting harassment or keeping it to themselves because they fear nothing will be done.
Because of the hard work and dedication of students, parents, school officials and advocacy, 
today 38% of public school students in Georgia are now covered with anti-bullying policies that include gender identity and 54% of students covered with policies that include sexual orientation. However, much more work needs to be done for us to ensure that 100% of students are fully protected.
Join the Campaign for Safe Schools in Georgia TODAY
Is Your Family Protected? Download These Important Documents
Same-sex couples can’t marry in Georgia….yet, but until then there are ways to protect your 
family. In 2007 Georgia Equality led the campaign which resulted in the passage of the Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare (click link to download form), a state law securing the right of same-sex partners to ride in ambulances and have hospital visitation, among other protections. These documents are simple, short and easy to understand. Protect your family by downloading and signing them today!
Here’s what the document does:
PART ONE—Health Care Agent. This part allows you to choose someone to make health care decisions for you when you cannot (or do not want to) make health care decisions for yourself.
PART TWO—Treatment Preferences. This part allows you to state your treatment preferences if you have a terminal condition or if you are in a state of permanent unconsciousness. You should talk to your family and others close to you about your treatment preferences.
PART THREE—Guardianship. This part allows you to nominate a person to be your guardian should one ever be needed.
