EQUALITY BEGINS AT HOME, MARCH 21-27,
IN ARKANSAS AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY!
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) is spearheading an exciting week-long event called Equality Begins at Home (EBAH)-a national campaign to strengthen and unite the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and ally communities and promote equality at the state level. NGLTF's Equality Begins at Home is a perfect opportunity for citizens to rally together across Arkansas to lend a strong voice to issues of equality in our state and to build a strong statewide organization. With November's defeat of non-discrimination resolution in Fayetteville, the existing sodomy law, and the recent move to ban
lesbians and gays as foster parents in this state, the time is ripe for Arkansas to have a viable, representative and visible statewide organization that unites our LGBT-supportive communities, organizations and individuals.
WHAT IS EQUALITY BEGINS AT HOME?
The Plan
During the week of March 21-27, 1999, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender people and our allies across the country will plan and participate in actions to promote equality and justice at the state level.
The Goal
- Strengthen lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender organizing
efforts in every state and territory.
- Draw national and local attention to our efforts to pass hate crimes laws, civil rights laws, supportive family laws, and to fight anti-gay initiatives at the state level.
- To unite across state lines through nationally coordinated actions and strategies.
Get Involved!
Contact Anne Shelley, your Equality Begins at Home state coordinator, at 501-571-3157 and get involved in the planning!
WHAT IS ARKANSAS PLANNING FOR EBAH WEEK?
The Plan
On Sunday, March 21, we will have a faith-based kick-off, asking
churches and other faith-based organizations who embrace the concept of equality to dedicate that day to EBAH issues and to take a special collection with the proceeds to be given to local organizations that work for social justice, e.g. homeless shelters, food pantries, NAACP, PFLAG, etc.
From March 22-27, we hope to hold six town meetings in different
regions of Arkansas focusing on Equality Begins at Home with
discussions of LGBT civil rights and other justice struggles that
affect the entire town/region/state. These meetings are targeted for Fayetteville (Northwest), Fort Smith (West), Little Rock (Central), Jonesboro (Northeast), Pine Bluff (Southeast) and Texarkana (Southwest).
Existing LGBT organizations, bars and progressive organizations will be challenged to hold special EBAH events on Friday, March 26. We envision social events during which folks will be encouraged to donate money with half the proceeds staying to support the sponsoring organization, and half the proceeds being given to local social justice organizations.
The final town meeting will be held in Little Rock on Saturday
afternoon, March 27. A rally focusing on LGBT issues will be held that evening featuring Arkansas' own, Kerry Lobel, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force! A fundraising event will end the day's festivities with money going toward a continuing statewide LGBT organization for Arkansas!
The Goal
- EBAH events will draw state and local attention to equality issues that concern communities across the state.
- Since there is no statewide LGBT organization in Arkansas, we are planning to use the organizing and events for EBAH as a foundation for building the Arkansas Equality Network-a new statewide organization that will be a strong voice for LGBT concerns and also speak out on issues of inequality affecting other communities.
- Arkansas Equality Network will help bring together smaller LGBT groups, progressive groups and isolated individuals scattered around the state into one cohesive organization willing to speak out on issues of equality.
Get Involved!
We need you! If you're excited about Equality Begins at Home and the Arkansas Equality Network, then please get involved in the planning of these exciting EBAH events and spread the word to your friends. To get involved, or for more information, contact Anne Shelley at 501-571-3157 or e-mail: acshelley@yahoo.com