ANNUAL REPORT 2019
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
LETTER FROM OUR STATE DIRECTOR
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PROGRESS IN CARSON CITY
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RESISTANCE & MOMENTUM IN WASHINGTON
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INAUGURAL NEVADA EQUALITY AWARDS
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FINANCIALS 13 BOARD, STAFF & CONSULTANTS
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SPONSORS & DONORS 15
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LETTER FROM
OUR STATE DIRECTOR Silver State Equality truly hit the ground running in 2019. We helped pass landmark legislation in Carson City to ban the so-called “gay and trans panic defense,” take a first step toward modernizing Nevada’s HIV criminal laws and finally remove marriage discrimination from the Nevada Constitution. Across the country in Washington, DC, our national policy director worked closely with Nevada’s Congressional Delegation to pass the Equality Act in the House of Representatives and hold the Trump-Pence Administration accountable. We met with LGBTQ+ Nevadans and allies throughout the state from LGBTQ+ families at Las Vegas Pride to our legislative partners in Carson City to transgender youth searching for support — hearing your concerns and learning about your priorities. We are honored to help lead Nevada’s fight for LGBTQ+ civil rights and social justice. 2020 will prove to be one of the most consequential and challenging years of our lifetimes. Ensuring that the voices of LGBTQ+ Nevadans and our allies are heard by institutions of power will be critical. And with your help, we will continue striving to create a world that is healthy, just and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people — in Nevada and across the United States. In solidarity,
André C. Wade
State Director
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PROGRESS IN CARSON CITY
During the 2019 legislative session, Silver State Equality supported the passage of two key bills: landmark legislation proposed by the Nevada Youth Legislature to ban the socalled “gay and trans panic defense” and a new state law sponsored by Senator David Parks creating an Advisory Task Force on HIV Exposure Modernization — the first step toward modernizing the state’s HIV-specific criminal laws. Silver State Equality also worked with our legislative partners to send a resolution to amend the Nevada Constitution and finally recognize all marriages as equal to Nevada voters for approval in the 2020 election. All three legislative proposals passed with bipartisan support..
“Together with the team at Silver State Equality, we are making Nevada a better place to live for everyone.” David Parks Nevada Senator
“Silver State Equality has hit the ground running, working hard to change the lives of LGBTQ persons in Nevada through policy. I am humbled to be a part of an organization that will be at the forefront of continued progress in Nevada.” Dallas Harris Nevada Senator
LOOKING AHEAD
In 2020, Silver State Equality will help lead the campaign to pass a historic ballot measure to remove marriage discrimination from the Nevada Constitution. We’ll also work with our partners to develop legislative priorities for the 2021 session, including modernizing Nevada’s HIV criminal laws.
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RESISTANCE & MOMENTUM IN WASHINGTON
As the Trump-Pence Administration and their allies in the U.S. Senate spent the year rolling back critical nondiscrimination protections and packing the federal courts with far-right, anti-LGBTQ+ extremists, the proequality majority in the U.S. House of Representatives kept their promise to the American people and passed historic legislation — including the Equality Act — to defend our civil rights, lower the cost of quality healthcare and prescription drugs, protect Dreamers and immigrants from deportation and reform our broken gun safety laws. Silver State Equality worked closely with members of the Nevada Congressional Delegation to make progress where it was possible and to hold the Trump-Pence Administration and Senate majority accountable for their discriminatory, heartless attacks against LGBTQ+ people and the diverse communities to which we belong.
IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP
The year came to a close with the House’s historic impeachment of President Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, an action that Silver State Equality and our partners at Equality California were compelled to support. We did not take this decision lightly. However, the evidence that the president violated his oath of office and the U.S. Constitution was clear. The Framers prescribed a remedy for such high crimes and misdemeanors, and the Constitution commanded the Congress to pursue it. No one is above the law.
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pro-equality legislative priorities passed in the U.S. House
2,200+
“The road to true equality is long and demanding, but with community leaders and partners like Silver State Equality, we have a shot at getting there." Susie Lee U.S. Representative
public comments collected opposing Trump-Pence Administration’s Health Care Rights Law rollback
“Silver State Equality is an excellent partner in our shared commitment to fight for the freedoms and rights of LGBTQ Nevadans. I am proud of our work together in the battle for equality, workforce protections and shaping a world that is more just for all Nevadans.” Steven Horsford U.S. Representative
LOOKING AHEAD
In 2020, Silver State Equality will continue to fight alongside the Nevada Congressional delegation to hold the TrumpPence Administration accountable and block attempts to roll back critical civil rights protections — including the nondiscrimination protections for transgender and gender-nonconforming people in the Health Care Rights Law, also known as Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. We will also fight to ensure our communities receive the federal support and resources we need to recover from the COVID-19 crisis.
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INAUGURAL NEVADA EQUALITY AWARDS
Silver State Equality honored Grammy Award winner and multi-platinum recording artist Paula Abdul and Nevada State Senator David Parks at the organization’s Inaugural Nevada Equality Awards on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club in Las Vegas. The evening was hosted by comedian Bruce Vilanch and brought together LGBTQ+ leaders and allies from across the state to celebrate the community’s accomplishments and recommit to the work ahead as we all strive to create a world that is healthy, just and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people.
“I am honored and proud to be recognized by Silver State Equality. Since the time I began my career — the LGBTQ community has been invaluable to my success, and with that I vow to continue my support and advocacy for equal rights.” Paula Abdul
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SILVER STATE EQUALITY FINANCIALS
Based on unaudited results, gross combined revenue for Silver State Equality and Silver State Equality Institute — excluding financial support from Equality California and Equality California Institute — was $278,620 in 2019, the organization’s first full calendar year in existence. Combined gross expenses for the organizations were $376,119, which would have resulted in a net deficit. This is common for new nonprofit organizations, and Equality California will continue to invest in Silver State Equality's growth until it becomes self-sustaining. A breakdown of the organizations’ 2019 unaudited financials and 2020 budget are included below. 2019
2020
Unaudited
Budget
Revenue Event
$ 131,620
$ 160,750
Major Donors
$ 5,000
$ 50,000
In-Kind
$ 142,000
$ 160,000
Equality California Support
$ 97,499
$129,180
Total Revenue
$ 376,199
$ 499,930
$ 133,429
$ 170,000
Expenses Salary and Benefits Professional Services
$ 41,474
$ 84,000
Event
$ 25,529
$ 44,000
Polling & Research
-
$ 15,000
Travel
$ 6,388
$ 2,930
Overhead
$ 27,299
$ 24,000
In-Kind
$ 142,000
$ 160,000
Total Expenses
$ 376,119
$ 499,930
Net Income
$0
$0
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SILVER STATE EQUALITY BOARD, STAFF & CONSULTANTS
SILVER STATE EQUALITY BOARD OF ADVISORS Rachel Anderson Ed Chansky Dawn Christensen Hon. Dallas Harris Amy Hill Jonathan Lee Ann McGinley Ruben Murillo, Jr. Hon. David Parks Jared Rapier Hon. Melanie Scheible
SILVER STATE EQUALITY STAFF Rick Chavez Zbur, Executive Director Tony Hoang, Managing Director André C. Wade, State Director Samuel Garrett-Pate, Communications Director Robbie Martin, Director of Development Valecia Phillips, Director of Finance & Administration Valerie Ploumpis, National Policy Director Joshua Stickney, Deputy Communications Director Beatriz E. Valenzuela, Communications Manager & Press Secretary
SILVER STATE EQUALITY CONSULTANTS
SILVER STATE EQUALITY SPONSORS & DONORS
EQUALITY AWARDS PREMIER PRESENTING SPONSORS
EQUALITY AWARDS PRESENTING SPONSORS
Official Airline Partner
EQUALITY AWARDS PLATINUM SPONSORS
SILVER STATE EQUALITY FOUNDING MEMBERS Hon. Tick Segerbloom Lavert & Vince Pompei-Benefield Dawn Christensen & Lori Dunn Julian Concepcion Frank Cooper & Dr. Daniella Courban Gavin & Jason Goorjian Ryan Harlow-Nakano & Jeff Nakano Human Rights Campaign Erik Jimenez Jonathan Lee Ann McGinley Ruben Murillo, Jr. & Larry Van Sickle John Musella & Ivan Volschenk National Education Association LGBTQ+ Caucus David Orentlicher Hon. David Parks Mike PeQueen Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada Red Rock Fertility Michael & Ivana Walborn
EQUALITY AWARDS GOLD, SILVER & BRONZE SPONSORS Uber Hon. Jason Frierson MGM Resorts International Nevada Senate Democrats NV Energy Nevada State Education Association Southwest Gas Ballard Spahr LLP Boyd Gaming Faiss Foley Warren John Klai & Jon Sparer Nevada Resort Association Procopio R&R Foundation Snell & Wilmer Ultimate Fighting Championship UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law
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As Nevada’s statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, Silver State Equality brings the voices of LGBTQ+ people and allies to institutions of power in Nevada and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people.
Silver State Equality 4780 West Ann Road #5357 North Las Vegas, NV 89031 Phone: (702) 755-6288 Email: email@silverstateequality.org Silver State Equality is a Nevada-based program affiliated with and supported by Equality California and Equality California Institute, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization.
