Hey ,

When I think of some of my favorite memories of 2019, I think of the people I’ve connected with this year. These people are reminders of why we do what we do at the Campaign for Southern Equality – why we work every day for the lived and legal equality of LGBTQ Southerners. 

I think about the young LGBTQ people I met at Blue Ridge Pride, newly out, laughing with their friends, celebrating who they are, and registering to vote. I think about the hundreds of doctors, therapists, and lawyers we added to our Trans in the South guide. I think about folks who attended this year’s Camp Gender Benders and applied for a Southern Equality Fund grant right there on the spot, ready to create change in their hometowns. I think about our Southern LGBTQ Health Survey Ambassadors connecting their communities to our large-scale health equity data collection project. 

I also think about the incredible supporters who have fueled the Campaign for Southern Equality with financial support by donating through our website, available by clicking here. In Asheville, small business leaders donated significant portions of their sales during our Shop for Equality event and throughout the year. At our Y’All Means All event, longtime supporters and people meeting us for the first time came together to share breakfast and raise funds. Across the country so many folks made contributions, whether it was $5 to support our efforts to protect LGBTQ minors from ‘conversion therapy,’ $500 to sponsor a Southern Equality Fund grant, or something in between.

I’m grateful for each and every one of the people who touched CSE’s work in 2019, including you. And now, as we head into a new decade, I’m asking you to join all the people who’ve given to CSE and make a year-end donation of whatever you’re able to give. Even $1 makes a difference – seriously.

Pitch in a few dollars – or more. Every dollar donated in 2019 (up to $5,000) will be matched. Making a contribution takes just a few minutes but means so, so much. 

To a 2020 fueled by hope and connection,

Jasmine Beach-Ferrara
Executive Director
Campaign for Southern Equality