Betty Couvertier taking LGBT action in Atlanta

Betty Couvertier isn’t new to LGBT grassroots organizing. She served as the Community Chair for Atlanta Pride for six years, was the Diversity Co-chair for the Atlanta Steering Committee of the Human Rights Campaign for four years, acted as Community Liaison for Fourth Tuesday for two years and also spent a year on the Trans-Action Board of Directors. For her activism, she received several accolades including the prestigious Bayard Rustin Leadership Award for Black Pride.

Live from Atlanta, Betty produces Alternative Perspectives, a one-hour radio program dedicated to the LGBTQI community and allies that airs every Tuesday, 7-8 p.m. Eastern on WRFG, 89.3 FM (Podcasts available here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and mid-January 2010 begins here).

This year, Betty decided to take action and organize an Atlanta event for the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) on May 17. She first learned of IDAHO in 2006 and discovered it was observed globally but not in the U.S.

"In 2007, I was the community chair for Atlanta Pride and I suggested to our Executive Director, Donna Narducci, that we should have something to observe IDAHO in Atlanta, GA. It was a time when LGBTQ folks were struggling around the world to speak up and stand up, to gather as a community and be who they are.  It was extremely difficult for those in Russia, Bulgaria and other places unlike our community here in the USA where we could march down the main streets of America without fear of death. We had a breakfast here in Atlanta with organizational and community leaders that attracted a good turn out."

What prompted Betty to take action this year?

"Equality Across America was asking cities to participate and to send a description of the action to them for listing. I did and Atlanta IDAHO was born."

Equality Across America listed the event on its home page along with other LGBT-grassroots organizing activities that begin on May 17, 2010 — International Day Against Homophobia — and conclude on May 22, 2010 — the anniversary of Harvey Milk's birthday.

"No one else in Atlanta or Georgia, or for that matter in the USA, had picked up the banner for IDAHO and I hope that Atlanta IDAHO will be a annual event," Betty explained. "This year we will have several speakers to include youth, politicians, soldiers, activists, clergy, transgender spokespeople, and LGBT sports athletes. The theme this year is Silence in Sports."

But the sports theme doesn't preclude a discussion of the overall subject of homophobia. "Silence anywhere about fear, hate, injustice and ignorance is dangerous," Betty says. "It propels actions that are harmful. When ignorance is stirred in with fear and hate of anything, the outcome allows one individual to condemn another and feel that he or she has the right to do so. And we must change that."

The first step in getting the Atlanta IDAHO event going involved the selection of a venue. "Virginia-Highland Church agreed and we were off and running," Betty said.

The progressive, inclusive Virginia-Highland Church has hosted many other LGBT-community gatherings. A few weeks ago, the Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus performed their "Georgia On My Mind" concert there during which the gay teen, Derrick Martin, "who has made international headlines for planning to take his boyfriend to his high school prom," was guest of honor. Last year, Virginia-Highland Church partnered with Atlantans Together Against Crime to co-sponsor a public forum about the Atlanta Police Department's raid on one of the city's oldest gay bars, the Eagle. Atlanta Pride also honored the church's interim pastor, Chris Glaser, as one of two grand marshals during the 2009 parade.

"We want folks to know they are entering a welcoming and friendly environment for Atlanta IDAHO," Betty continued, "and we got that with this church."

In the midst of planning, two other organizations joined Betty's efforts for marketing purposes -- The Lovers & Friends Show, a new lesbian Web series that debuted in January 2008, and the non-profit South Georgia Pride that promotes the "equality and well-being of the LGBT community" in South Georgia and North Florida areas.

Betty extends an open invitation to all.

"We welcome any individual or organization to join us as we move forward this year and hopefully many more will come."

Contact: betlear @ yahoo dot com.

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