End-Of-Summer Activism
8/19/2010 - As we move towards the end of summer, our advice for simple summer advocacy still holds true. There are always things you can do to work towards freedom and fairness for all LGBT families in North Carolina. Here are three easy ones.
1) Drop Your Legislators A Line
When the legislature is in session and issues are pressing, your representatives expect to hear from folks, usually with high emotions and strong opinions. It makes more of a difference, however, if you can develop a relationship with them over the long-term.
Send them a quick note, just as a constituent saying hey. Let them know about yourself, your family, and your friends. Send them a postcard and mention how you and/or your LGBT friends may not feel safe keeping their family vacation photos on their desks at work while we still lack employment protections for employees based on sexual orientation or gender identity in North Carolina.
Tell them about your family and the equality issues that matter to you.
2) Feature Your Family
Families everywhere are unique. No matter what your family looks like, you've got your own individual story to share.
Those stories are the inspiration for the Celebrating Our Families blog, a new project of Equality NC aimed at bringing together stories from LGBT and allied North Carolinians. We're excited about this opportunity to hear your stories, and encourage you to contribute them!
We're seeking all types of stories, from all types of families, be those families LGBT couples, couples raising kids, straight allies, single parents, ... you get the picture. And speaking of pictures, send of one of those, too.
Email your story and family photo, or video link, to matthew@equalitync.org.
3) Educate Yourself
Most of us are aware of the larger LGBT rights organizations out there, and the bigger issues impacting LGBT Americans today. However, there are also numerous smaller organizations whose supporters are working equally hard for LGBT rights. Many of us may have never heard of them because of their specific focus areas. So why not take a few minutes to peruse through a few of their websites to learn something new, and then share it?
Ideas include:
- SAGE, the
leading force in the LGBT aging
- NativeOUT, actively involved in the Two Spirit Movement
- The Trevor Project, working for suicide prevention among LGBT youth
- Rainbow Alliance for the Deaf, supporting the deaf queer community
- Queers for Economic Justice, promoting an economic system that embraces sexual and gender diversity
- COLAGE, an organization of children of LGBT parents
- National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, a coalition working to end violence and anti-gay bias
- Passing Twice, an informal network of LGBT folks who stutter and their friends
- International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, the leading international LGBT human rights organization
- Immigration Equality, working for
LGBT equality under U.S. immigration laws
- Blind LGBT Pride International, working for the visually impaired LGBT community
There are always things you can do to make a difference, either directly or indirectly. All it takes is a little time and effort.
Of course, money works, too. You can support the efforts of Equality NC by making a donation today.
