Atlanta International Day Against Homophobia-IDAHO

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2011-12-12T13:38:00.000-05:00

Anti-Gay Rep. Mired in Scandal - The Daily Beast

2011-08-12T16:49:00.000-04:00

Anti-Gay Rep. Mired in Scandal - The Daily Beast

HOLLABACK ATLANTA joins IDAHO

2011-05-16T12:53:00.004-04:00

Our Hollaback mothership has agreed to give us some really serious real estate on our global page for IDAHO. In addition to doing a story collecting station (computer bar) , we would like to give a king-sized plat...form to 6 guest bloggers to write about their experiences with harassment and discrimination for being LGB, trans, or Muslim.

STORIES

2011-05-16T08:00:00.003-04:00

Okay folks...Nerissa has dared me to post this...so here it is...I would read on the show..but the show will be a live broadcast of the readings of proclamations and resolutions...and of course the welcome from Governor Deal' office...but we have time to do...you betcha...minus the descriptive words that are forbidden by the FCC...:)

STORIES

Hi Betty,

I dare you to put these stories on your blog or radio show!

True stories:

In Houston I got out of my car late at night on my way to join some friends clubbing. Suddenly from out of the shadows a guy jumped in front of me only inches away. Immediate concern filled my mind. Just how much paperwork would be involved at the local police station to explain me beating the fucking crap out of him? I ended up by simply frightening him off.

Also in Houston a guy tripped me in front of a few of his redneck friends when I was walking to the bathroom. In my 4" heels I nearly fell down. After I recovered my balance I went over to him and asked him if he felt comfortable having me embarass him in front of his friends by beating the living shit out of him. He soon left the club.

Getting away from my own situation some more stories:

A TS hooker once pointed out to me that cis-female hookers used pimps. Transwomen did not. She explained why: "We do not need to. If Johns mess with us we beat them up ourselves."

Finally the Atlanta police department put out a memo years ago about how to handle TS hookers. The memo advised the cops to pull their weapon on them. Apparently too many police were getting beat up by the hookers.

Moving on to history consider that the two toughest warriors in human history were trans or similar. Alexander the Great was a bisexual leaning towards mostly gay man who cross-dressed, wore makeup and perfume. Joan of Arc was a cross-dressing most likely androgen insensitivity XY female.

In conclusion one of the greatest dangers of transphobia is we're likely to beat the crap out of people who get in our faces.

See you tomorrow at IDAHO.

Nerissa

2011-05-12T12:16:00.000-04:00

The "Letter of Greeting" from the State of Georgia's Governor Nathan Deal
Please click on image to enlarge...

This Day Is For You

2011-05-08T22:32:00.019-04:00

2ND ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA, TRANSPHOBIA AND ISLAMOPHOBIA

In The City of
Atlanta, Georgia

MAY 17, 2011
@
UNITY FELLOWSHIP CHURCH
9 Gammon Ave SE, Atlanta, Ga. 30315
6 to 10pm
Presented by
Radio Program about the LGBTQI
Community
Producer
Betty Couvertier

Sound Provided by
Meak Productions

Sponsors/Supporters
Juxtaposed Center for Transformation
Church Without Walls
The Shiz
Meak Productions
HollaBack Atlanta
GetEqual Georgia
Queer Justice Leaque
-AGenda Benda Justice
Women Healing Women

Proclamations and Resolutions
City of Atlanta
County of Fulton
Georgia House of Representatives

Mistress of Ceremonies
IMANI EVANS

RADIO ANNOUNCEMENT

6pm Meet, Greet and Eat
6:45pm Music
Computer Bar...blogging your stories

6:50pm Welcome
Miko Evans

6:55pm Open Prayer and Remarks
Elder Rev. Antonio Jones
Rev. M. Pendermon

7:05 Reading of
Letter of Greeting
From the State of Georgia's
Governor Nathan Deal
Paul EQuality Schappaugh
GetEqual Georgia

Introduction to Mistress of Ceremonies by Miko Evans

IMANI EVANS

Imani Evans is Founder & Executive Director of a non-profit organization for women survivors of sexual & domestic violence, Women Healing Women, Inc. She has spent many years inspiring others to live with passion and advocating for those without a voice. She holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Masters in CounselingPsychology.

Imani has been a social change agent for more than 20years, working with several non-profit agencies throughout Atlanta, NewJersey and New York. She has successfully served a wide range ofpopulations, including survivors of sexual violence, mentally ill clients,breast cancer survivors, seniors, people living with HIV/AIDS and familiesexperiencing homelessness. Her areas of organizational expertise arecreative program development, staff training, and coalition building. Evans received Special Congressional Recognition as director of anational breast and cervical cancer awareness program.

She has facilitated workshops and presentations across the country for suchorganizations as: Georgia Homes and Services for the Aging (GAHSA),Newark Day Center, Miss Teen Plus Scholarship, YWCA-National, TEDCOLincoln House, Blue Cross & Blue Shield, National Black Women’s HealthProject, MELD Program for Girls, and Dance to a Different Drum.

Imani is author of “Today is the Miracle: A 30-day guide to overcomingchallenges and creating miracles” and creator of an anthology entitled,“My Heart – My History, a collection of stories from the heart”. She hasbeen featured in Atlanta’s Creative Loafing newspaper; New Jersey StarLedger newspaper; Clickque magazine; Atlanta’s KISS 104.1 & WRFG radioshows.

Her inspirational articles have been featured online at SpiritualAtlanta.com and Preach2me.com. Imani Evans is a dynamic speaker and performance poet who captivates audiences with passion, inspiration, and humor.

7:10 TO 8PM READING OF PROCLAMATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS

The Honorable City Councilman Alex Wan reads Proclamation from the Atlanta City Council

The Honorable Fulton County Commissioner Joan Garner reads Resol

ution for the County of Fulton

THE HONORABLE HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE KARLA DRENNER PRESENTS RESOLUTION FOR GEORGIA HOUSE FOR THE SECOND YEAR

Live broadcast for the readings of proclamations and resolutions on WRFG 89.3fm

P.D.Battle/Phoenix YZ

is a writer, actress, and performance Poet.

8pm

LILLI LEWIS Musical Interlude

Music being provided by The Shiz

more info @ www.shizrock.com

SPEAKERS

8:30pm

FatherRick Ward-Harder
Unashamedly Reformed Old Catholic, Sacramentally Committed, Radically Inclusive and Welcoming, Rabidly Devoted to Social Justice, and Embracing of Diversity.

Father Rick is a ordained priest in the Apostolic Catholic Tr

adition.

He serves as Pastor and full-time clergymember for an vocational campus a 900+ per year student body. He has served as Senior Pastor for congregations in Little Rock, AR, Houston TX, and Galveston, TX.I grew up as a fifth generation United Pentecostal kid, with a mother and grandmother who securely planted the values and morals by which I live today.

Father Rick is in a Dometic Partnership.

Monica Helms
moved to Georgia 2000, started Transgender American Veterans Association 2003, was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention 2004

JeShawna Wholley

Spelman College Class of 2011 Program of Study: Comparative Women’s S

tudies

Intended Profession: Non-Profit Management

JeShawna Wholley is currently graduating senior at Spelman College studying Com parative Women’s Studies expecting her Bachelor’s of Arts in May 2011.

At Spelman College, JeShawna is the former president of Afrekete, the LGBTQ group, and with her fellow members they engage their campus community in conversations “against injustices and inequalities, ensuring an inclusive climate.” However her involvement does not stop there, JeShawna served as the Project Coordinator for the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance and volunteered her time with Choice USA, coordinating a call-in day for safe sex education; as well as the Feminist M

ajority Foundation, coordinating the national women of color conference at Spelman College. In addition, JeShawna is employeed as an Arcus funded student researcher in the Women’s Research and Resource Center at Spelman College. Her work has not just been noticed by peers and mentors on campus; she has garnered the attention of President Obama which led JeShawna to be invited to the White House to attend the reception in commemoration of the 42nd anniversary of the Stonewall Riot. Most in our communities have been impressed with President Obama’s recognition of our Movement’s efforts; JeShawna has had the great privilege of experiencing this first hand.

Art Izzard Queer Justice League

Tracee McDaniel

.Tracee McDaniel transgender advocate, founder & executive director of Juxtaposed Center for Transformation, Incorporated, currently operating as a 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt advocacy, social services and

consulting organization designed to socially and economically empower transgender and non-gender conforming individuals, with a vision to act as a collective body to provide basic, necessary and fundamental services to the largely diverse and complex transgender community...

Tracee was born and raised in Sumter, South Carolina and in 2007, she became the first Transgender person invited to deliver a keynote speech at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Marc

h & Rally. Also, she was awarded the Unity Fellowship Community Leadership Award, a Proclamation Declaration from the Atlanta City Council in 2008 in recognition of her service to the community at large in addition to an S1C 2009 Transgender Community Leadership Award.

Supported and encouraged by her spouse of over thirteen years, she no longer chooses to remain content with blending in and living within the shadows of society, and she strongly encourages other trans identified individuals to “Show up, and Participate” in all levels of community advocacy and to educate themselves abou

t the political process in order to ensure that “Our voices are heard, so that our needs are met“.

Previously, living in Los Angeles, California for over fourteen years, Tracee established and managed the Minority Aids Projects’ Transgender Program providing access to HIV/AIDS risk reduction and prevention education resources to the Hollywood transgender community. In addition, her alter ego Destiny (Your Mistress of Il

lusions) has been an international performance artist entertaining on stage for more than 20 years and she’s been featured in several international feature films and popular music videos. Two of the her most memorable highlights and accomplishments as a performance artist was being hand selected by veteran producer Marty Callner to star as back-up singer and stand-in for the original diva, icon Miss Diana Ross in her music video “I Will Survive” Also, she was featured in the Jackson’s “An American Dream“ VH1 Mini Series. Tracee is semi-retired from the stage and has chosen to limit her appearances to exclusive engagements including, HIV/AIDS and Equality fundraisers.

Tracee is currently a Certified Peer Counselor, Certified HIV/AIDS Risk Reduction/Preven

tion Pre & Posttest Counselor and she’s active in various social initiatives and organizations previously serving on the Atlanta Pride Committee Board of Directors, the Human Rights Campaign Diversity Co-Chair in addition to the transgender representative on the Atlanta Police Department TLGBQ Advisory Board and most recently serving on the LGBT 2009 Host Committee for Mayoral Candidate now current Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, and elements of her story have been archived in the U.S Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Museum.

Closing Remarks and Prayer

Rev. Paul Turner of
Church Without Walls

Radio Announcement for IDAHO...

2011-05-08T10:19:00.002-04:00

Take a listen...Meak Productions a proud sponsor of IDAHO has done it again...

http://radio.meakproductions.com/commercials/AtlantaIDAHOCommercial2011-1wTag.mp3

Proclamations and Resolutions

2011-05-04T22:36:00.001-04:00

It is Official... City of Atlanta will issue proclamation for IDAHO...Fulton County joins the affirmation...with a resolution...Councilman Alex Wan will present for City of Atlanta...and Commission Joan Garner will present for Fulton County...

Hugh Hugh Announcement....

2011-04-14T16:18:00.003-04:00

Our Hollaback mothership has agreed to give us some really serious real estate on our global page for IDAHO. In addition to doing a story collecting station (the logistics of which we're working out), we would like to give a king-sized platform to 6 guest bloggers to write about their experiences with harassment and discrimination for being LGB, trans, or Muslim. We are seeking bloggers willing to speak up and out against harassment: 2 gay people, 2 transgendered people, and 1 Muslim (We know a blogger who writes for an anti-Islamophobia website, and she's tentatively signed on already). Basically, we want to give a voice and a space for people to educate on the dangers of homophobia, transphobia, and Islamophobia. We will post these articles/op-eds/blogs on Atlanta's Hollaback as well as on the main site, which has an active readership in ten countries and 25 cities now (with 30 more cities coming soon!).

Do you know a few people that would be willing to have their voice heard around the world? Posting anonymously is absolutely an option for those who do not feel comfortable sharing their real names. Please feel free to pass this email along to your networks. The posts will go live throughout IDAHO week, from Sunday through Friday.

More on Hollaback http://www.facebook.com/ihollaback

New Sponsor for IDAHO 2011

2011-04-09T22:43:00.002-04:00

Just got word that Juxtaposed Center for Transformation has signed on as a sponsor for Atlanta's International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Islamophobia 2011...thank you Tracee...and board members of JCT...we are moving forward and we are moving together.

13th Anniversary Church Without Walls Picnic

2011-03-27T21:58:00.009-04:00

CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS

2011-03-07T16:29:00.006-05:00

Church Without Walls will celebrate the theme of International Day Against Homophobia, Same-Sex Couples, on May 15, 2011. Read the recent article here

2011 IDAHO

2011-03-06T17:13:00.015-05:00

2011 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Islamophobia

May 17, 2011
Unity Fellowship Church
9 Gammon Ave SE
Atlanta, Ga 30315
6 to 10pm

ELDER Antonio Jones, Pastor

Robin McGehee of GetEQUAL interview

2010-07-14T21:09:00.065-04:00

Robin McGehee, co-founder of GetEQUAL, offered her insights into the state of the LGBT movement during a July 13, 2010, interview on Alternative Perspectives radio produced by Betty Couvertier.

A lesbian mom turned activist, she discussed her early days in the movement in her home state of California.

Last year, Robin undertook a prominent role as a co-organizer of the National Equality March on Washington, .D.C.

Today, with Kip Williams of GetEQUAL, she leads direct action and sometimes acts of civil disobedience to hold politicians accountable for their broken promises to the LGBT community. To read about GetEQUAL's mission, vision, theory of change and background, click here.

Involved in meetings about the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) currently stalled in the House of Representatives, Robin called in to Alternative Perspectives radio in Atlanta, GA, from Washington, D.C., during a break.

To listen to the podcast of the interview with Robin McGehee, click here.

The Shirt Off My Back march of May 17

2010-05-25T15:43:00.003-04:00

Activist Laura Gentle organized the Shirt Off My Back march through Midtown Atlanta up to the event location at Virginia-Highland Church for Atlanta's International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). Video of the arrival of the marchers shot by my colleague and co-organizer Betty Couvertier.

Meak Productions live recording of Atlanta IDAHO

2010-05-25T15:39:00.005-04:00

For immediate release via Meak Production's Facebook page:

Meak Productions presents the Spring Finale of SGL Expressions featuring the “LIVE” Recording and Coverage of The International Day Against Homophobia in Atlanta.

LIVE on the NEW Exceptional Radio Network . . . Meak Productions made history on May 17, 2010 by becoming the official radio and audio recording sponsors of the Inaugural Atlanta Event in recognition of IDAHO (The International Day Against Homophobia). On that day, 3 hours of audio footage was recorded to archive the historic day filled with powerful speakers delivering messages of hope and stories of empowerment & encouragement.

More information at the above link.

Without the tireless efforts of Miko Evans and Dominique R. Huff, audio production of Atlanta's first annual International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) would not have been possible. We commend them and appreciate their foresight in preparations for a live broadcast of Atlanta's IDAHO.

UPDATE: Meak Productions, Same Gender Loving Expressions, May 2010 archive allows you to listen to the live broadcast of Atlanta IDAHO on demand at no charge. Thanks again to Miko and Dominique for their service to the community!

Part I is available for audio download here.

Part II is available for audio download here.

Atlanta IDAHO on United Nations Radio

2010-05-25T15:35:00.003-04:00

Breege Brennan of United Nations Radio delivered a May 21, 2010, report, "People united on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia." She included interviews from activists in Canada, where IDAHO originated, Ireland, and more that included co-organizer of Atlanta's IDAHO, Betty Couverier.

From the transcript:

BREEGE: IDAHO events included a Great Global Kiss-In in 30 cities. In Nigeria, a vigil was held to honour victims of gender hate crimes and in Russia, thousands of balloons were launched as a symbol of pride. Betty Couvertier, a radio producer and gay activist, is involved in the International Day Against Homophobia in Atlanta, Georgia.
COUVERTIER: IDAHO is a time to speak out and stand up and not be afraid. It is a way of combating fear and hate. It goes beyond tolerance. It is acceptance that knowing the people are what they are and that we are different sometimes and it is ok.

To read the entire transcript or to listen to the broadcast, click here.

ProjectQ Atlanta news coverage of the 2010 event

2010-05-19T18:55:00.000-04:00

From ProjectQ Atlanta's picture gallery of Atlanta's

International Day Against Homophobia @ Virginia Highland Church

The opening grafs from ProjectQ Atlanta, May 18, 2010, Homophobia target of Atlanta events:

Hugs, prayers and standing up against homophobia were the theme for the day on Monday as activists held two complementary events to commemorate International Day Against Homophobia in Atlanta.

The afternoon kicked off with a small rally (top photo) at 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue to support the Shirt Off My Back Campaign, which encourages people to donate unwanted clothing to charity. It’s organized by Laura Gentle, who helped organize public rallies in the wake of the Atlanta Police Department’s raid of the Eagle last September.

About three-dozen people attended the larger International Day Against Homophobia, which unfolded at Virginia Highland Church. Longtime LGBT activist and radio host Betty Couvertier (second photo, left) was a key organizer of the event, which was part of scores of similar gatherings across the globe to call attention to homophobia.

The speakers and hosts at the church read like a Who’s Who of LGBT Atlanta and included Pastors Chris Glaser (second photo) and Sonya Williams, activist Montee Evans, radio host [Miko] Evans, sports enthusiast Anne Barr, and Laura-Douglas Brown, who is co-founder of the GA Voice. . .

To read the complete ProjectQ Atlanta article, click here. To view the ProjectQ Atlanta picture gallery of the Atlanta IDAHO event, click here.

Karla Drenner's resolution about Atlanta IDAHO

2010-05-19T16:31:00.010-04:00

OK, we confess. We admire Karla Drenner for a lot of reasons. She's personable, courageous, super-smart, dynamic, and undaunted by homophobia. We're proud she serves in the Georgia House of Representatives (D-Avondale Estates) -- the first-ever openly lesbian member of the Georgia General Assembly -- and as a beloved leader in the LGBT community. On May 17, she spoke powerfully during Atlanta IDAHO.

In her official capacity as an elected representative, she presented a resolution during the event. If you click the image, it will reload with a zoom-in "magnifying glass" to enlarge so you can read it easily.

Atlanta City Council proclamation, Atlanta IDAHO

2010-05-19T16:08:00.013-04:00

We thank Alex Wan for working to bring together a proclamation from the Atlanta City Council in recognizing May 17, 2010, as Atlanta's first annual International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). It was unanimous, folks!

If you click the above image, it will reload with a zoom-in "magnifying glass" to enlarge.

In the news with ProjectQ

2010-05-16T02:36:00.001-04:00

Mike Fleming of ProjectQ wrote about all the activities leading up to Atlanta's International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) at Virginia-Highland Church. A snippet:

The speakers and hosts at the church read like a Who’s Who of LGBT Georgia. Pastors Chris Glaser, Sonya E. Williams and Paul Turner, Women Healing Women’s Imani Evans, Fulton County candidate Joan Garner, trans advocate Tracee McDaniel, social justice activist Abby Drue, Georgia Safe Schools’ Maru Gonzales and Anneliese Singh are all on the list of some two-dozen special guests.

Thank you, ProjectQ!

For the complete list of Atlanta IDAHO speakers, click here.

Laura Gentle's GA Voice editorial

2010-05-16T02:27:00.000-04:00

Laura Gentle of the Shirt Off My Back Campaign (see previous post) wrote an incredible editorial -- Why a clothing donation campaign is taking a stand against homophobia -- published in the GA Voice yesterday. In her column she explained:

…a disproportionate number of LGBT residents experience poverty and homelessness, and it's not just because of a tough economy. How many fresh, young faces do we see popping up in our city every week? A lot of LGBT youth flock to Atlanta escaping unhealthy, and even abusive, living situations back home and struggle to make it on their own. Or how about the number of people who have been fired for being openly gay or transgender? Poverty is the number one cause of homelessness, and homophobic actions are linked to the number of LGBT people who experience poverty- because of nothing more than bigotry.

Laura goes on to describe the commitment that the Shirt Off My Back Campaign (SOMB) makes in aiding "the less fortunate in our communities, no matter who they are."

Please, go read Laura's entire editorial at the GA Voice. Short excerpts don't do justice to a smart, timely, on strategy column that not only outlines the reasons why SOMB is a worthy cause to support but also identifies the root cause of homelessness and poverty in our community -- homophobia.

One particular passage involves a topic that Betty and I talk about frequently. Laura wrote:

The bottom line is we have to join organizations, causes and events together to make any real impact. It makes no sense to fight improving an issue without involving people who are fighting for the same thing. SOMB wants to help the people in our communities experiencing poverty and homelessness, and the Alternative Perspectives staff and other community groups want to stop homophobia, so I got together with Betty Couvertier and Becki Jayne Harrelson to make some community magic. Campaign supporters are excited to kick off the march to the wonderful events organized at Virginia-Highland Church starting at 6pm. [Emphasis added.]

SOMB is an official sponsor of Atlanta's International Day Against Homophobia. But Laura Gentle and her group are more than simply a sponsor. They are partners with us -- activists with heart and energy. We hope to continue to work together with Laura and others in addressing the myriad issues the LGBT community faces.

All of us together make each of us better. And that's "real impact."

Thank you, GA Voice, for allowing Laura to speak so powerfully.

Speakers for Atlanta's International Day Against Homophobia

2010-05-02T20:12:00.011-04:00

We're proud to announce our speakers for Atlanta's International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) on May 17. We'll add more in-depth information as we go, but for now, we present our line-up of activists, community leaders, athletes, and educators who will address homophobia and transphobia pervasive in schools, on the job, in government, in the sports world, and in our community-at-large.

PRELUDE & INTRODUCTION OF ORGANIZERS
Miko Evans -- Executive producer and CEO of Meak Productions Inc., the world's first LGBT exclusive talent agency, casting and production company, and the official radio and audio recording sponsor of Atlanta IDAHO. Also host and producer of Same Gender Loving Expressions, the first LGBT syndicated radio talk show on the Exceptional Radio Network. Visit the websites for more information and to listen to previous broadcasts.

WELCOMING REMARKS
Betty Couvertier -- Producer of Alternative Perspectives, Atlanta's LGBTQI radio program, read about Betty from our previous post.

MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES
Imani Evans -- Founder and executive director of the nonprofit, Women Healing Women, Inc., an organization dedicated to the holistic healing of survivors of sexual and domestic violence, Imani brings 20+ years of advocacy and inspiration to the podium. View her LinkedIn public profile here.

CLERGY
Rev. Chris Glaser -- Author of 11 books, LGBT activist, and gay Christian theologian, Rev. Chris Glaser will open the program as the interim pastor of our host venue, Virginia-Highland Church. For more about Chris, check his website.

Rev. Paul Turner -- Founder and senior pastor of Gentle Spirit Christian Church of Atlanta, Rev. Paul Turner will close the event with parting words and prayer. For more about Paul, read his bio at his church website.

ENTERTAINMENT & MUSIC
PhoenixYZ -- Performing spoken word, PhoenixYZ's poetry will no doubt touch, inspire and provoke. Visit her MySpace page for words from the Poet Priestess.

Pastor Sonya E. Williams -- Get uplifted! Pastor Sonya will bring a musical ensemble from Restoration Inclusive Ministries, Inc.

ACTIVISTS & COMMUNITY LEADERS
Joan Garner -- Out lesbian and long-time community activist, Joan recently announced her candidacy for Fulton County Commission, District 6. Georgia Equality endorsed her campaign, and according to GA Voice, "If elected, Garner would be first openly gay person to serve on commission." Read Joan's bio at her campaign website.

Bekah Ward -- An educator, Bekah Ward remains passionately involved in the anti-war movement, women's rights and LGBT liberation. Last October, she helped organize a Georgia contingency for the National Equality March and she continues her commitment to keep up the pressure until full equality is achieved.

Tracee McDaniel -- A transgender advocate, Tracee founded the nonprofit Juxtaposed Center for Transformation, where she acts as its executive director. Having served on numerous LGBT organizations, she received the Unity Fellowship Community Leadership Award in 2008 from the Atlanta City Council and the S1C Transgender Community Leadership Award in 2009.

Abby Drue -- Founder and executive director of the Ben Marion Institute for Social Justice, Abby "serves as a facilitator and behavioral development coach" for public institutions, government, and businesses. Click to read her online bio.

Montee Evans -- CEO Lamont "Montee Jamal" Evans founded mojaevans Professional Services, LLC in 2002. He provides consulting services to individuals, nonprofit organizations, small minority businesses and local communities.

Camron Wiltshire -- Creative, trend-setting, and a straight ally, Camron has already accomplished a lot in raising consciousness about social justice, corporate and institutional abuse via We Are All One and We Are Change. Read Camron's mission, which simply stated, is "to inspire and empower people to be the change that they seek. . ." Follow Camron on Facebook.

SCHOOLS
Anneliese A. Singh, Ph.D., LPC, NCC -- Co-founder of the Georgia Safe Schools Coalition (GSSC) and assistant professor in the Department of Counseling and Human Development Services at The University of Georgia, Dr. Singh currently conducts participatory research and interventions in middle schools aimed at reducing anti-LGBTQ bullying and violence. To read her bio, click here.

Maru Gonzalez, M.Ed. -- Also co-founder of the Georgia Safe Schools Coalition (GSSC), Maru is an elementary school counselor and a relentless social justice activist. She volunteers as group facilitator for YouthPride and serves on the organization's Education Committee. To read her bio, click here.

Austin Laufersweiler -- Listen to GLSEN’s first-ever Student Advocate of the Year. Within a hostile school environment, Austin created Students Promoting Equality and Justice Through a Respectful and United Movement (SPECTRUM). As president, Austin built his activism on systemic change by launching several campaigns including the Day of Silence and Think B4 You Speak. A board member of GSSC, read his bio at their website.

SPORTS
Anne Barr -- In 2007, Anne Barr founded the Decatur Women's Sports League, which includes primarily lesbian athletes from Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett County. Browse a salute to Anne at the Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative.

NOTE: We've not listed speakers in order of appearance unless otherwise stated. We would also like to acknowledge Laura Gentle, who is organizing a pre-event march through her group, Shirt Off My Back, and the Honorable State House Rep. Karla Drenner, who will present the official proclamation that May 17 is the City of Atlanta's International Day Against Homophobia.

Homophobia in Nigeria, Rev. Rowland Jide Macaulay interview

2010-04-30T02:00:00.001-04:00

As an update to the story of Nigerian homophobia, listen to the radio interview with Rev. Rowland Jide Macaulay -- founder of the House of Rainbow MCC in Lagos, Nigeria -- by Betty Couvertier of Alternative Perspectives, WRFG 89.3 FM in Atlanta. Joining the reverend's call from London, UK, was Timothy Obiole, an Atlanta resident, who forwarded the story to radio producer Couvertier. Recorded live on Apr. 27, 2010, the podcast is available to stream online or as an MP3 download by clicking here.

Marching for LGBT youth, Shirt Off My Back

2010-04-27T05:16:00.012-04:00

PHOTO BY KNYCKOLAS DAVIS

UPDATE: Details about the march starting at 5 p.m. -- Take the Shirt Off Your Back to STOP Homophobia! -- is on Facebook. Click here.

On Monday, May 17, the Shirt Off My Back group will march to heighten awareness about the plight of homeless LGBT youth during Atlanta's International Day Against Homophobia (ATL IDAHO).

Organized by Laura Gentle, she explained their purpose:

Shirt Off My Back Campaign came into existence because of the immense support of Atlanta's LGBT community in starting this new organization. Through our work with service providers, we see every day the impact that homophobia and transphobia have on LGBT persons.

There are an extraordinary percentage of LGBTQ persons experiencing poverty and homelessness in Atlanta, especially youth, simply because of intolerance. Shirt Off My Back is about raising awareness and helping all people in our local communities.

We are proud to join ATL IDAHO this year in calling for an end to homophobia and transphobia in Atlanta and beyond.

Demonstrating unity with Atlanta IDAHO, Shirt Off My Back (SOMB) team members and campaign supporters will march down the streets around Midtown up to the event venue at Virginia-Highland Church to arrive shortly before the 6 p.m. event meet-and-greet gathering. Some marchers will go shirtless while others will hold signs relating how dangerous homophobia is and statistics tied to LGBTQ persons experiencing extraordinary rates of discrimination, poverty, and homelessness as a result of hate and intolerance.

If you haven't heard of or seen the SOMB campaign, prepare yourself for breathtakingly poignant portraits that dramatize the need for clothing donations to assist low-income and homeless service providers in metro Atlanta. To view the campaign, visit the SOMB website.

Jaysays recognized Laura Gentle -- a straight ally -- as an LGBT Hero, a well-deserved distinction for her activism. In September 2009, when police raided the Eagle bar in Midtown Atlanta, Jay quoted Laura who "helped organize many protests and community events to fight back against such discrimination." She said:

I felt I needed to stand up as an ally to draw the straight community into this issue as I feel it effects everyone who loves Midtown and doesn’t want it change for the worse.

On May 17, we will come together -- gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people with our straight allies -- to march, to educate, to learn, and to stand up.

Atlanta IDAHO organizers welcome Laura Gentle and the efforts of the Shirt Off My Back organization.

Anyone interested in SOMB can follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/ShirtOffMyBack or join the campaign at SOMBcampaign.com.

Homophobia in Nigeria, Rev. Rowland Jide Macaulay

2010-04-25T01:37:00.069-04:00

Click image to watch Rev. Macaulay's interview with Ana Hernandez in a new window.

Like so many African nations -- Uganda offers a high-profile example -- the scourge of homophobia also afflicts Nigeria. When Rev. Rowland Jide Macaulay endeavored to establish an LGBT-inclusive church in Lagos, Nigeria, he encountered threats on his life. Ultimately the church closed, according to the reverend, "because the violence was extreme and our properties were attacked, vandalised, looted and a few of our security guards were wounded."

Undaunted, Rev. Macaulay took to the Internet with a "virtual mission" by using online forums and YouTube videos to post inclusive messages, "to encourage LGBT people in Nigeria and other developing nations." He now lives in London where he continues his online ministry and speaks out against homophobia as antithetical to Christ's teachings.

In his Apr. 17, 2010, video, “A Response: Love Not Hate, at about the 3:15 time mark, Rev. Macaulay relates how he has “continually received death threats” in his mailbox and “directly” to him in person. His response is clear, “I am not moved." And he declares:

I am not ashamed of being a gay man nor I’m not ashamed of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

What I truly believe is that there are many people out there, all over the world especially in the continent of Africa, that truly and honestly need the gospel of inclusion. And unless we can continue to be good Christians and include everybody in the circle of love that Jesus Christ continued to promote through the Scriptures, I think that we will fail. I continue to be the face of the faceless and the voice of the voiceless. And I trust that God will be with you.

In an interview, Anene Ejikeme, assistant professor of African History, Trinity University in San Antonio, TX, discussed homophobic conditions in Nigeria and outlined how Rev. Macaulay "started a church: The Church of Rainbow, which was affiliated with the Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC)." She spoke with church members who were attacked, recounted the violence, and the reverend's legal defense fundraising for Nigerians who have been imprisoned "for such things as impersonating a woman, for conducting a same-sex marriage or other such charges."

Timothy Obialo, who lives in suburban Atlanta, provided information about Rev. Macaulay. One source from the U.S. State Department, a 2008 Human Rights Report on Nigeria, reiterated that homosexuality is illegal in the country with severe penalties of up to 14 years in prison. Plus:

In the 12 northern states that have adopted Shari'a law, adults convicted of engaging in homosexual intercourse are subject to execution by stoning, although no such sentences were imposed during the year. Because of widespread taboos against homosexuality, very few persons were openly homosexual.

The document also mentioned the outing of Rev. Macaulay's church that put the small Nigerian congregation in danger:

On September 12, local newspapers Nation, Vanguard, PM News and the Sunday Sun published photos, names, and addresses of members of the House of Rainbow Metropolitan Community Church, a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered-friendly church in Lagos. Following publication, persons started harassing the 12 members. One woman was attacked by 11 men, while others were threatened, stoned, and beaten. No investigation was initiated by year's end.

The U.S. State Department's 2009 Human Rights Report on Nigeria dated Mar. 11, 2010, noted, "No action was taken against persons who in 2008 stoned and beat members of the House of Rainbow Metropolitan Community Church, an LGBT-friendly church in Lagos."

"HOMOSEXUALS ARE CRIMINALS"
In March 2009, the BBC reported that Nigerian gay activists -- while protesting a proposed law that would criminalize same-gender people living together, "and anyone who 'aids and abets' them," and give police greater power to make arrests including "anyone working in a human rights organisation that dealt with gay rights" -- were met with the kind of condemnation aimed at LGBT folks in the U.S.

"In the Bible it says homosexuals are criminals," Pius Akubo of the Daughters of Sarah church told lawmakers. . . Rev Patrick Alumake told the National Assembly the top leadership of the Catholic church in Nigeria supported the bill wholeheartedly.

"There are wild, weird, ways of life that are affecting our own culture very negatively, we have people who either by way of the media or travelling around the world have allowed new ideas which are harmful to our nation and our belief," he said.

The bill's sponsor, House of Representatives member Mayor Eze, said the bill was necessary to protect the family.

"If you are not careful and allow the family institution to break down, and the consequences will be on all of us," he said.

Sound familiar? Hate speech unfortunately also abounds in America. However, unlike in Nigeria and in similar places around the world, U.S. citizens no longer fear criminal prosecution for being LGBT. The common ground we all share is living in a homophobic society that oppresses, discriminates, marginalizes, dehumanizes, and denies us equality. And in government that fails to stop it.

MACAULAY'S UPCOMING INTERVIEW -- AN APPEAL FOR HELP
On Tuesday, Apr. 27, Rev. Macaulay will appear on Alternative Perspectives by Betty Couvertier (WRFG.org, 89.3 FM) to discuss his situation and the blight of homophobia in Nigeria. Air time is 7–8 p.m. Eastern.

Additionally, the committee for Atlanta's International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) invited Rev. Macaulay to come speak during the May 17 event. Unfortunately, travel expenses present an obstacle in bringing his story to Atlanta.

If you or someone you know could possibly donate roundtrip airfare and accommodations for Rev. Macaulay from London to Atlanta, please contact Betty Couvertier at betlear @ yahoo dot com as soon as possible.

It's official! It's Atlanta IDAHO!

2010-04-23T19:30:00.015-04:00

We have just learned some exciting news! The City of Atlanta will officially proclaim May 17 as its International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO).

The news came to us via the Honorable State House Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) who will attend the annual event and present the city's proclamation.

Drenner was the first openly lesbian elected to the Georgia General Assembly. In 2004, she opposed Georgia's pernicious constitutional ban on same-gender marriage, one of many forms of homophobia that LGBT people face in the political arena, in government, in laws that disadvantage us, and institutionalize discrimination and hate.

During Georgia's battle over marriage equality, The NYTimes described Drenner as a gay legislator who had "become the most visible — and derided — opponent" of the state assembly's effort to codify discrimination against LGBT people. For her stand, she received "a torrent of venomous e-mail and telephone calls." Despite the attacks, Drenner offered these encouraging words still relevant for today:

"When it gets real bad, I think about the 24th mile, the come-to-Jesus mile, when you've got blisters on your feet and your whole body aches," said Ms. Drenner, a Democrat from suburban Atlanta. . ."For me, the finish line here is when this country doesn't care who you love." [Emphasis added.]

Well said! We may not see change immediately but the time to act is now. And each of us can make a difference. Let's encourage each other to act boldly, to keep going.

We welcome State Rep. Karla Drenner and admire her public service.

The City of Atlanta's proclamation represents a step toward the recognition that we, as a community, as an international city, must publicly address homophobia in all its life-denigrating and equality-denying forms.

Please join us, speak up, and stand up with us on May 17.

UPDATE: We learned, due to new procedures not published on the City of Atlanta website, that an official proclamation cannot be obtained in time for the event. However, Alex Wan of the Atlanta City Council is working on a proclamation so stay tuned!

Calling all Atlanta videographers

2010-04-21T19:32:00.001-04:00

Atlanta's International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) wants you!

We are looking for video documentary filmmakers willing to donate their time and expertise to capture the gathering event on May 17, 2010, at Virginia-Highland Church. We would like to document the messages offered by a line-up of dynamic speakers addressing homophobia and transphobia locally, in schools, in our institutions, in the sports world, and at work. Can you help record a piece of Atlanta LGBT history?

Naturally, contributors retain ownership of their creative work but we hope to find partners willing to share their video with us to get the word out about Atlanta's IDAHO in planning for 2011. Never heard of IDAHO? Read more about the Atlanta event here and who started IDAHO here.

For those videographers more inclined toward statement videos, we welcome clips for YouTube for pre- or post-event distribution on the Internet. What does that mean? See the example below -- a joint effort of gays.com and the Committee for the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia -- that shows people from around the world expressing, "I am proud to be gay," or "I am proud to be lesbian," in multiple languages. How cool is that?

If you have an interest, or know a videographer who might want to support Atlanta IDAHO, please contact:

Becki Jayne Harrelson
bjinternet @ mindspring dot com

Or Betty Couvertier
betlear @ yahoo dot com.

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Betty Couvertier taking LGBT action in Atlanta

2010-04-09T12:16:00.010-04:00

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.

Follow Atlanta IDAHO on Facebook.

Atlanta's International Day Against Homophobia

2010-03-20T15:18:00.015-04:00

Atlanta -- known as an LGBT stronghold in the American South, an international city that hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics, and famous as the epicenter of the Civil Rights Movement -- will join other major cities around the world on May 17 in recognition of the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO).

Initiated by Fondation Émergence and for the first time in the world, a theme-day dedicated to the fight against homophobia was designed and set up in Québec on June 4, 2003. With the kind help of partners, this theme-day expanded to reach the rest of Canada, and then France and Belgium. In 2005, the IDAHO committee proposed the symbolic date of May 17. This committee and Fondation Émergence continue to extend this event to other countries.

More information about IDAHO is available at: http://www.homophobiaday.org

The 2010 campaign Speaking about Silence is aimed at the sports world. The purpose of the campaign is to make athletes, those closely or loosely involved in this community, the media, and the general population more aware of the need to combat homophobia linked to both amateur and professional sports.

ORGANIZING IN ATLANTA

The production team of Alternative Perspectives, a radio program on WRFG.org, 89.3 FM radio, about the GLBTQI community and our Allies, produced by Betty Couvertier and contributions by...

-- Donna Narducci, Former Executive Director of Atlanta Pride
-- Becki Jayne Harrelson, Artist-in-residence at Virginia-Highland Church
-- N.E. Francis, Arts & Entertainment Reporter, Examiner.com
-- Maletia Ward
-- Bridie Mae Johnson

...invite you to participate, plan or sponsor the Atlanta IDAHO event with us. Additional information will be available in April 2010.

If you would like to join us in any capacity please email: betlear@yahoo dot com.

Stay tuned for more information, speakers, entertainment, food, coming in April.

You can also follow us on Facebook.