Silver State Equality: Spring 2024 Newsletter

THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY runs through Nevada — and EVERY vote counts!

Welcome!

Friends of Silver State Equality,

Welcome to the Spring 2024 Silver State Equality newsletter. As we prepare for the upcoming 2024 elections, we are hyper-focused on encouraging our LGBTQ+ community and allies to join us in voting for candidates whose values align with ours, and we are working to build our list of endorsed candidates that you will read about in our next issue.

We have important news to share regarding the results of a statewide survey of LGBTQ+ youth, and we are preparing to launch a Leadership Academy to help LGBTQ+ persons better prepare to run for office.

Continue reading for more important updates!

Until the work is done,

Andre Wade State Director, Silver State Equality

Silver State Equality Releases Survey Results of Nevada LGBTQ+ High School Students

In January 2024, Silver State Equality released the results of our 2023 student council and listening session survey, which illuminated the experiences of LGBTQ+ high school students across Nevada. The results, which received national media attention, were revealing, disturbing and a call-to-action to develop more programs and campaigns that empower the LGBTQ+ community and its allies to combat discrimination, blatant lies, hate and other divisive tactics that negatively impact our schools and LGBTQ+ students.

Key Findings

of respondents say their school has inadequate resources for LGBTQ+ students.

percent say their schools have inadequate marked safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students

of students said they had been teased [bullied by peers for being LGBTQ+ within the last six months]

percent reported never learning about LGBTQ+ history, being assigned books by LGBTQ+ authors, or hearing LGBTQ+ stories or people referenced in class

had been deliberately excluded by peers within the last six months

reported being prevented from using gender-aligned bathrooms or locker rooms.

percent never or rarely feel safe talking with school counselors

say they do not feel secure at school

While we are proud of the advances made in Nevada for LGBTQ+ persons, the results of this listening survey speak loud and clear – we have much more work to do to ensure our youth feel heard, respected and valued.

Las Vegas Pride Happy Hour

Our first annual Las Vegas Pride Happy Hour — in partnership with Mijente and HRC Nevada — took place at Queen Bar on Saturday, June 15, hosted by RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars Season 9 contestant Shannel. Thank you to our sponsors Amazon and Tito’s Handmade Vodka!

Silver State Equality Leadership Academy

Silver State Equality is committed to building the bench of LGBTQ+ elected leaders at all levels of government. To that end, we recently launched the Nevada LGBTQ+ Leadership Academy to conduct candidate and campaign trainings that equip LGBTQ+ individuals with a deeper understanding of Nevada’s political system; build the skills needed to seek elected office; run successful campaigns, and gain an understanding of appointed opportunities with agency boards and commissions.

The first Silver State Equality LGBTQ+ Leadership Academy full-day training session will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024 in Southern Nevada. If you would like to be considered for participation in the Nevada LGBTQ+ Leadership Academy, the deadline to submit an application is July 30, 2024. Learn more and apply online today at silverstateequality.org/leadership-academy.

Throughout the one-day immersive program, Nevada’s future leaders will be trained on the essentials of running for office: deciding whether and when to run; the “nuts and bolts” of running an effective political campaign, and fundraising. The training will also address the unique obstacles faced by LGBTQ+ candidates.

This innovative program is patterned after Equality California’s successful Leadership Academy that is now in its 8th year and has trained more than 230 individuals.

GOTV (Get Out The Vote)

The freedom to vote is the foundation of every other freedom we hold dear. Silver State Equality continues its grassroots outreach to protect every eligible Nevadan’s right to vote, including by mail and at the polls. We encourage LGBTQ+ and pro-equality voters alike to make their voices heard in the 2024 election and to volunteer to help Get Out The Vote. You can register to vote and find information about mail-in voting and polling places by visiting www.nvsos.gov

LGBTQ+ Nevadans and our allies have an opportunity to decide the 2024 elections. In addition to the Presidential election, there are numerous state and local elections that can have a direct impact on our civil rights including the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. Additionally, Nevadans will be asked to vote for candidates running for the Nevada Supreme Court; Nevada Legislature; City Councils; Judges; County Commissions; Mayors; school boards and others.

History will remember what we do this election. Will Nevadans rise in defense of a society that is fair, just and equal for all Americans, and against assaults on LGBTQ+ rights; on reproductive freedoms; on racial injustice?

The imperative to take action has never been greater and it all comes down to voting!

EQUALITY AWARDS LAS VEGAS

Nevada Headquarters

Mailing Address: 4780 West Ann Road #5357

North Las Vegas, NV 89031

Phone: (702) 755-6288

email: andre@silverstateequality.org

Silver State Equality Awards

Join us on Thursday, Sept. 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. at KAOS at The Palms for the annual Silver State Equality Awards. This not-to-be-missed festive event is attended by influential leaders of the LGBTQ+ movement; elected officials; business and labor leaders; celebrities; and members of the medical and legal communities, among other notables. This year, we will be honoring pop icon Debbie Gibson with our Ally Leadership Award, Las Vegas City Councilmember Brian Knudsen with our Equality Visibility Award, and nonprofit organization OUR Center with the Community Leadership Award. Ticket and sponsorship information available at silverstateequality.org/events. SEPT. 12

You can stay informed and discover ways you can join the fight for LGBTQ+ civil rights and social justice by signing up for Silver State Equality updates.