NEWSLETTER
FALL 2022
Welcome! Welcome to the Fall Silver State Equality newsletter. Here, Nevada’s statewide LGBTQ+ community, its allies and stakeholders can learn more about our goals and accomplishments and get information about resources as we work together to achieve full lived equality through the realization of LGBTQ+ civil rights and social justice in Nevada. In this issue, enjoy updates and photos from the 2022 Silver State Equality Awards, Pride Parade and Festival; updates on Silver State Equality’s new statewide LGBTQ+ Student Advisory Council and upcoming MPXV, COVID-19 and Flu vaccination campaigns; new political endorsements; and Silver State Equality in the news!
Silver State Equality Launches LGBTQ+ Student Advisory Council 2022 Silver State Equality Awards Honors LGBTQ+ Champions & Allies: Attended by more than 250 Southern Nevadans, the 2022 Silver State Equality Awards on Sept. 8 at MGM Grand Conference Center honored statewide LGBTQ+ champions and allies while raising more than $177,000 for the civil rights advocacy organization that fights every day for LGBTQ+ Nevadans. Hosted by singer and comedian Mikalah Gordon, the event was headlined by Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak and Silver State Equality Awards 2022 honorees. US Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV) received the Ally Leadership Award; former West Wendover Mayor Daniel Corona was honored with the Equality Leadership Award; and civil rights activist Holly Welborn was recognized with the organization’s Community Leadership Award. Miss Nevada, Heather Renner, who is openly LGBTQ+, also made an appearance. Now in its 4th year, the Silver State Equality Awards celebrate the LGBTQ+ community’s achievements and honors inspirational leaders whose selfless work helps to advance the organization’s mission to create a world that is healthy, just and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people. Special thanks to our event co-chairs, Jonathan Lee and Jared Rapier and host committee members, Nevada State Senator Dallas Harris (District 11); former Nevada State Senator David Parks; Reno City Councilmember Devon Reese; Nevada State Senator Melanie Scheible (District 9), former Nevada State Assemblyman Nelson Araujo; Rachel Anderson, Ed Chansky, Dawn Christensen, Kimi Cole, Amy Hill, Erik Jimenez, Ann McGinley, Melissa Warren.
Silver State Equality announced this summer the formation of a statewide LGBTQ+ Student Advisory Council with the goal of improving school climate for LGBTQ+ students by identifying and addressing changes to make the school experience more fruitful and engaging. Some of the topics to be addressed include creating a culture of inclusion in Nevada schools while working to counter bullying, harassment, social isolation and discrimination – all risk factors that increase dramatically for LGBTQ+ students. On October 18, 2022, the first statewide meeting of the newly formed student advisory council was held virtually and included student members and mentors from across the state who applied to be part of this important endeavor. The council will continue to meet monthly throughout the school year, culminating with a school year-end presentation with recommendations to stakeholders for ideas to promote greater inclusivity for LGBTQ+ students. According to André C. Wade, State Director, Silver State Equality, there is no set deadline to apply so students may continue to make application throughout the school year. High school students ages 18 and older may apply here. Students under 18 years of age must have permission of their parents or legal guardians to participate and must fill out this form. Acceptance onto the LGBTQ+ Student Advisory Council is at the discretion of Silver State Equality staff. The Silver State Equality LGBTQ+ Student Advisory Council is funded by a gift from NV Energy and Caesars.
National Coming Out Day In honor of National Coming Out Day, we partnered with the Human Rights Campaign, the DCCC, and Nevada Democratic Victory to celebrate and organize to support pro-LGBTQ candidates up and down the ballot. Special guests included Congresswomen Susie Lee and Dina Titus, as well as Congressman Steven Horsford. From left, André Wade, Silver State Equality; Nevada State Senator Melanie Scheible, District 9; Will Rucker, candidate for Nevada State Assembly, District 13.
Silver State Equality Launches COVID-19, Flu Vaccine Campaign in Partnership with Southern Nevada Health District Targeting LGBTQ+ Southern Nevadans, Silver State Equality, in partnership and with funding from the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD), will soon launch a multi-media campaign to promote COVID-19 and flu vaccines. According to André C. Wade, State Director, Silver State Equality, the fight for access to affordable, quality healthcare without discrimination has long been part of the LGBTQ+ movement and one of the areas that still falls short of equal access, particularly for LGBTQ+ persons of color. “We are excited to partner with SNHD and are grateful for its financial support that will allow us to promote the importance of COVID-19 and flu vaccinations amongst our local LGBTQ+ community,” said Wade. “Education is powerful, and our campaign will remind LGBTQ+ Southern Nevadans of the importance of getting vaccinated to prevent serious illness. The campaign will also include links and information on where to receive free vaccinations, ensuring there are no barriers.”
Silver State Equality Endorsement Update Silver State Equality evaluates local, state and national candidates on their support and advocacy of issues and policies that ensure full lived equality for LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities in Nevada. In our last issue, we announced the endorsements of nearly 30 pro-equality candidates including five openly LGBTQ+ candidates. When elected or reelected, they will continue Nevada’s legacy as a state that welcomes and supports diversity and will work tirelessly on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community.
New to our list of endorsements are the following candidates: ∂ ∂ ∂ ∂ ∂ ∂ ∂ ∂ ∂
Justin Jones, Clark County Commission, District F Duy Nguyen, Nevada State Assembly, District 8 Brittney Miller, Nevada State Assembly, District 5 Nancy Brune, Las Vegas City Council, Ward 6 Cisco Aguilar, Secretary of State, Nevada Julie Pazina, Nevada State Senate, District 12 Angie Taylor, Nevada State Assembly, District 27 Elizabeth Brickfield, Nevada State Assembly, District 23 Edgar Flores, Nevada State Senate, District 2
2022
2022 Pride Celebration!
Silver State Equality was a loud and proud participant in the 2022 Pride Weekend in Las Vegas, kicking off with our participation in the annual Pride Parade on Friday, Oct. 7. We were joined by Pride Tree and the SEIU. The parade was followed by the annual Pride Festival at Craig Ranch on Saturday, Oct. 8.
Prior to the Parade, we participated with the Human Rights Campaign in a political rally to support Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and other candidates who are supportive of LGBTQ+ rights, including Governor Steve Sisolak and Congressman Steven Horsford.
Silver State Equality In the News
Silver State Equality’s Andre Wade was recently profiled on PBS’ Nevada Week: Nevada Week | Nevada Week In Person | André Wade | Season 5 | PBS
PBS also interviewed André on a variety of topics, including the Student Advisory Council, Monkeypox and COVID-19: https://www.vegaspbs.org/blogs/ nevada-week-season-5/publichealth-update/
André Wade was interviewed on Las VEGAS NOW and FOX 5News to promote the LGBTQ+ Student Advisory Council: A Voice For The LGBTQ+ Community | KLAS
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Check out the Las Vegas Sun’s coverage of the Silver State Equality Awards: Lee, accepts LGBTQ award, predicts Senate passage of same-sex marriage bill - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper
André was quoted in this Nevada Independent article on monkepox (MPXV): LGBTQ activists want to spread awareness, not stigma, in fight against monkeypox
André was a guest columnist in the Las Vegas Sun: Nevada does legwork to protect its LGBTQ+ residents through laws
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 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. Together, we’re fighting for full LGBTQ+ equality on multiple fronts: Electing pro-equality champions, up and down the ballot; Passing pro-equality legislation in Carson City, Sacramento and Washington DC; Advancing LGBTQ+ civil rights and social justice in the courtroom; and reducing disparities in LGBTQ+ health and well-being through education and advocacy.
Nevada Headquarters Mailing Address: 4780 West Ann Road #5357 North Las Vegas, NV 89031 Phone: (702) 755-6288 email: andre@silverstateequality.org