Democratic Party of Georgia

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DPG LGBTQ Caucus & Young Dems of GA Stonewall Caucus to Host Meet & Greet with Rep. Taylor Bennett

Release:  Monday, November 16, 2015

Atlanta, GA – Saturday, November 21, the Democratic Party of Georgia LGBTQ Caucus and Young Democrats of Georgia Stonewall Caucus will host a meet and greet with Rep. Taylor Bennett. The event will be held at Manuel’s Tavern in Atlanta, and is co-hosted by Georgia Equality and the Fulton County Democratic Party.

“Rep. Bennett was a staunch ally to our community even before he ran for office, then ran unabashedly on our shared values of equality and inclusion—and won,” said DPG LGBTQ Chair Jim Taflinger in a statement. “We look forward to learning even more about Taylor and his priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Taylor and likeminded elected officials who stand for justice—for what is right—have been instrumental in the progress we’ve made. The host organizations of this event are thrilled to have this discussion with Rep. Bennett.”

Rep. Taylor Bennett was elected to represent Georgia House District 80 in a special election this past summer. Bennett soundly defeated his opposition in the run-off election, switching control of the seat from Republican to Democrat.

The joint event will be held at Manuel’s Tavern (602 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30307) on November 21, 2015 at 11AM.

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Join the Facebook event here.

Democratic Party of Georgia LGBT Caucus on Marriage Equality

Release:  Friday, June 26, 2015                                                                                     

 

Democratic Party of Georgia LGBT Caucus on Marriage Equality

 

 

Atlanta, GA – Officers of the Democratic Party of Georgia LGBT Caucus issued the following statements today in response to the Supreme Court’s decision on Obergefell v. Hodges.

 

“We applaud the Supreme Court’s ruling affirming our basic right for marriage equality in all 50 states. The journey has been long but our perseverance has won the day. While we celebrate today’s ruling, we must also celebrate our local and national pioneers of the LGBTQ movement who laid the path. We express a special appreciation for our allies who worked with us side-by-side to make this day possible. As this day goes down in history for our community, we must remember we still have work to do, pushing forward to gain non-discrimination in all aspects of our life and pushing back against efforts to hinder our right to marry. This is a great way to end our Pride month and we encourage everyone to celebrate today—everyday—the diversity the LGBTQ community brings to our state and nation.” – Jim Taflinger, Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia LGBT Caucus

 

“I can’t express how excited I am that SCOTUS ruled in our favor. This is a significant victory on the march to full equal protections. We will wake up tomorrow in a country where young people can expect that the love they share will be fully recognized by the state. Our focus now turns to non-discrimination legislation so that our community can fully enjoy rights afforded to others.” – Colton Griffin, Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia LGBT Caucus

 

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GA Dems Raise Awareness for International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia

Release:  Saturday, May 16, 2015                            

 

Georgia Democrats Raise Awareness for International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia

 

Atlanta, GA – Today, Democratic Party of Georgia LGBT Caucus Chair Jim Taflinger and Young Democrats of Georgia Stonewall Caucus Chair Colton Griffin released the following statements to commemorate the 11th annual International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia. The Georgia Democrats are holding their own event in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park tomorrow to join worldwide IDAHOT celebrations and stand in solidarity with activists around the globe.

 

“Tomorrow’s event serves as an opportunity to recommit ourselves to a shared fundamental belief that all people deserve to be treated fairly and justly, no matter who they are or whom they love,” said DPG LGBT Caucus Chair Jim Taflinger. “Regardless of party affiliation, people across the globe should stand up and speak out against the immoral discrimination and senseless violence that too many members of the LGBT community face on a daily basis. While we’ve certainly made progress, there is still much work to do to defend and uphold the simple moral values of justice and dignity for people everywhere.”

 

“Currently, there are no legal workplace protections for gay and transgender Georgians to safeguard against discriminatory hiring and firing” said YDG Stonewall Caucus Chair Colton Griffin. “Given our state’s lack of those basic protections—and the outright denial of marriage equality to thousands of Georgia families—Georgia Democrats and our leadership will continue to fight until everyone is treated equally under the law.”

 

IDAHOT is held on May 17 of each year, a significant date in LGBT history that commemorates the World Health Organization’s declassification of homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1999.

 

Members and allies of the DPG LGBT Caucus and YDG Stonewall Caucus will gather tomorrow, Sunday, May 17, at 1:00 PM in Piedmont Park for an afternoon of activism and a potluck cookout to raise awareness for IDAHOT.

 

For more information, join their Facebook event here.