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Good afternoon,
I hope you’re enjoying a relaxing Sunday and, if you celebrate, a happy Easter.
The past few weeks have felt like a time warp, and I’ve been glad to have some time this weekend to relax with my wife and kids and consider the past month.
In many ways I’ve been feeling a growing sorrow, knowing how many people are grieving the death or severe illness of friends and family members, or trying to navigate the loss of a job or business, or just trying to take the stress of this pandemic day by day. In other ways, my heart has been filled to see folks around the world really showing up for each other: the heroic health care providers risking their safety to care for people; the neighbors helping each other with groceries, medical supplies, and virtual companionship; the educators rising to the challenge of ensuring that young people feel supported and connected. All of that is so powerful and moving – because it tells me that we’re going to get through this, together.
I’ve also been humbled to lead our team at the Campaign for Southern Equality through these turbulent waters as we’ve moved to quickly pivot our work to meet the immediate and urgent needs of LGBTQ Southerners in these times.
In the past few weeks, our team has:
- Granted $55,000 to individuals, families, community response projects, and frontline organizations most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic – and right now, we’re fundraising to open an additional round of grants. You can read about our COVID-19 Rapid Response Grant Round in ColorLines.
- Coordinated the submission of a letter from 300+ youth advocates in North Carolina urging the State Superintendent to take action to protect transgender students who face increased risk of being outed right now because of an online student data management system that is not trans-inclusive. Read about the letter and this effort to protect transgender young people in The News & Observer.
- Hosted 14 virtual gatherings through our new programming initiative, The Front Porch, which have been attended by nearly 250 community members. Offerings have included a community support group, cooking classes, workshops on resilience and healing, information about trans health as it relates to COVID-19, online meet-ups for queer Southern artists, and an at-home barbering and grooming class. Check out this week’s schedule for The Front Porch, featuring 4 new meet-ups, below and at this link.
We’re here for you during this difficult time, and we can’t express our appreciation that you’ve been here for us, too. So many of you – individuals, longtime partner organizations, and friends – have reached out to share information, offer encouragement, or make a financial contribution to this work. Thank you.
I hope you all have a happy and healthy Sunday, and please know that we’re thinking about you.
Take care and stay well,
Jasmine
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