How can you help Southern Indiana Equality?

Thanks to Brad and Hannegan for their permission to reprint this e-mail. Please consider supporting Southern Indiana Equality with your time and money.

I'm delighted we have such an organization, and as mayor, I intend to properly animate the city's Human Rights Commission (re-established only in 2012) to serve as more than a line item on a defeated politician's CV.

I say this in part because (after all) I've been saying it since 2005, but also because there cannot be too many participants in this cause, as so eloquently outlined in the passages below, and local government must be a key actor in the advancement of human rights for all.

New Albany's Human Rights Commission and Southern Indiana Equality should serve as complementary mechanisms for doing the right things, for the right reasons. That's the way it will be, starting on January 1, 2016.

---

Greetings from Southern Indiana Equality!

Thank you for your interest in our cause - your support is so important to us. Southern Indiana Equality is a newly formed, independent, local organization that works as part of a vibrant community to uphold and advance human rights for all. Southern Indiana Equality serves a 26 county coverage area, serving as a liaison between citizens and those entities responsible for upholding such rights.

We hope to empower people to realize their rights, while shedding light on those who are at risk and vulnerable on a multitude of fronts, including but not limited to: education, employment, public accommodations, and housing.

Southern Indiana Equality envisions a world where all people, regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, military service, or disability, are ensured equality and embraced as equal members of society in every regard.

I’d like to fill you in on some upcoming dates for Southern Indiana Equality; be on the lookout for emails in the coming month on how you can be involved. On September 27th, 2015, we will have an interactive booth stocked with resources at New Albany’s Indie Fest - check out event details at . We look forward to this opportunity to connect with the community and hope to have a day filled with meaningful conversations. Additionally, our annual meeting is coming up on October 1st, at 7:00 p.m., and we hope to have a large crowd assembled.

How can you help now? By helping us spread the word. Invite your Southern Indiana friends to visit and like our Facebook page. Forward this email to others and encourage them to get added to the email list. Come to Indie Fest and to the annual meeting and bring a friend (or five). Make a donation to our GoFundMe account to support us in raising the funds for the filings fees needed for our non-profit status. A non-profit status would enable us to pursue grant funding, empowering us to broaden our impact significantly.

We have a long road ahead of us, and the passion and commitment to embark on this journey with vigor. Thank you for your interest in walking alongside us.