Project One America con’t from p. 9 LGBT group known for its organizing and training across race, class, sexuality and other issues; and was the interim executive director at the Women’s Project in Little Rock. In her position as state director, Johnson — like Jackson and Hill — has begun to speak out publicly about the challenges of living as an LGBT person in the South. “There are no non-discrimination protections in employment, housing or public accommodations,” said Johnson in an interview with KUAR, a public radio station in Little Rock. “What does that mean? It means I can be kicked out of a restaurant for simply being a lesbian, or that a gay friend of mine can be fired just for being gay, or that a transgender woman can be kicked out of her apartment for simply being who she is. That’s not right and, as Arkansans, we can do better than that.” HRC is also hiring faith organizers and community organizers, who will work out of each state’s office — in Jackson, Montgomery and Little Rock, all slated to open this fall. Meanwhile, Project One America — which is supported by the HRC Foundation — has released the results of the largest survey of LGBT people undertaken in Mississippi, Alabama or Arkansas. A total of 2,758 people across the three states participated in the survey conducted by Anzalone Liszt Grove from Feb. 6, 2014, to March 20, 2014. The survey found, perhaps most importantly, that LGBT people in these states are thriving members of their community. But it also found that LGBT people face harassment and discrimination regularly, along with having no legal protections at the local or state level in employment, housing and public accommodations. “The survey revealed LGBT Alabamians are just like their friends and family members — living, working and volunteering in their communities,” said HRC Project One America Director Brad Clark at a news conference in Birmingham. “But they face harsh realities living in the state they call ‘home.’” HRC also held news conferences in Jackson, Montgomery and Little Rock
about the survey results, drawing coverage from major newspapers, TV and radio stations as well as local news outlets. At least one anti-LGBT group, the Arkansas Family Council — a vocal conservative organization — denounced the survey results. In memory of the historic Freedom Summer, HRC partnered with the NAACP and other groups in Mississippi to try to engage more people in the U.S. political process. During Freedom Summer decades ago, hundreds of people traveled south to challenge repeated attempts to keep African-American people from voting and holding public office. HRC’s Project One America was a lead sponsor of the Freedom Summer 50th Anniversary Conference in Mississippi, and HRC staff helped lead panels on race, sexual orientation and gender identity. Project One America also launched a campaign, “Summer of Conversations,” to encourage LGBT people and straight allies to host informal gatherings of friends, loved ones and colleagues, and to share their stories about family, work and faith. There is also a stepped-up focus on faith and inclusion in the region. (See p. 9.) Creating safer, welcoming environments within houses of worship is a top priority for LGBT people in the South. Project One America will be building relationships with various local and state leaders of the NAACP, the ACLU, chambers of commerce, healthcare institutions, schools, faith communities, community groups and grassroots advocates. HRC recently was honored by the NAACP’s metro chapter of Birmingham for its work to advance equality. “We’re excited to be partnering with you on the ground,” Derrick Johnson, president of the Mississippi State Conference of the NAACP, told HRC leaders recently. “To get a friend you have to be a friend. I want to thank you for what you’re doing.” “Even your presence is going to make it safer for people to start coming out,” noted Joce Pritchett of Jackson, who, with her wife Carla Webb, are local leaders in Jackson. “Thank you for sticking your organization out there like that. Because it could be a long road.”
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RC’s Project One America has released results of research on the lives of LGBT individuals and families in Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas. And the information is staggering. In Alabama, 40 percent of all respondents have experienced harassment in public establishments. In Arkansas, nearly 25 percent of all respondents have experienced workplace discrimination. One in three LGBT students in rural Mississippi reported experiencing harassment in school every week. Here are just a few excerpts:
My life was threatened in high school, and I was afraid to go to school.” (Ark.) “I am fearful that I may get hurt, or worse, be killed for being a transgender woman.” (Miss.) “When you go through 25 years of being taught at church that if you are gay, you are going to hell, despair sinks in.” (Ala.) “I lost custody of my two children only due to the fact that I was a lesbian.” (Ala.) “Right after I came out publicly, I was severely harassed and discriminated in my church.” (Ark.) “I was told that I wouldn’t be allowed to eat at a certain restaurant due to my sexual orientation.” (Ala.) “I was harassed by a police officer due to my HIV status.” (Miss.)
WWW.HRC.ORG
LATE SUMMER/EARLY FALL 2014
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