A Note from the Board

Hello!

Over the last year, a group of advocates has been working to assemble the nuts and bolts of a community-based organization dedicated to advancing LGBTQIA+ equality and fostering a sense of queer joy and belonging in every corner of Connecticut. The newly formed Advisory Board of Equality Connecticut has made some great progress in recent months.

We’re excited to share that progress as well as our new website and some upcoming plans with you!

We come to this work with a fierce commitment to LGBTQIA+ liberation and justice. We recognize that queer people face many forms of oppression and, therefore, see the fight against systemic racism, patriarchy, criminalization, violence, poverty, health disparities, and all forms of injustice as inherently LGBTQIA+ issues.

We also know that some legal rights are not enough. Our visibility, culture, history, sense of belonging, and shared joy are equally essential to LGBTQIA+ liberation. As an LGBQTIA+ led organization, there will be issues we lead, times we show up, and ways to support from afar. We hope you will help us hone a truly intersectional lens and find our voice in the cause of advancing social justice.  

Our dedicated Advisory Board has zeroed in on two thematic priorities around which we will build a sustainable and enduring organization:    

POWER:

  • Rigorous research and advocacy on the needs of LGBTQIA+ people.
  • Mobilizing the collective voice of LGBTQIA+ people to advance laws and policies necessary to protect our community.
  • Mobilizing the LGBTQIA+ community to meaningfully show up in solidarity for social change.
  • Increasing public and private resources for LGBTQIA+ organizations and services.
  • Supporting a leadership pipeline of young LGBTQIA+ social justice leaders.

JOY:

  • Developing initiatives, events, and special projects to bring LGBTQIA+ people together to socialize and experience joy.
  • Celebrate our histories of LGBTQIA+ people in Connecticut.
  • Support LGBTQIA+ arts, culture, and creative expression.
  • Educate the public on the lives and experiences of LGBTQIA+ people in Connecticut.

We see these two priority areas as deeply connected. Our power comes directly from our joy. It is only by being together, by truly seeing each other, and by sharing our experiences that political change becomes possible.

This iteration of Equality Connecticut stands on the shoulders of countless activists and decades of organizing and positive change in Connecticut. We are also joining a vibrant ecosystem of organizational partners providing services and support to LGBTQIA+ people around the state.

Here are some ways you can immediately help us:

  • TALK TO US: Movements like this are built through our connections with one another and happen one person at a time. We’ve had dozens of one-on-one conversations over the last year to listen carefully to what is needed. These 45-minute chats have been vital to developing our priorities so far. If you haven’t already, we’d love to sit down with YOU, by phone, Zoom, or in person. Email meeting@eqct.org to schedule a time and one of us will get back to you.
  • HOST US: We would love to come to your favorite bar, cafe, place of worship, knitting circle, barber shop, bowling league, or wherever you gather with family and friends to talk about our work. Send us an email at meeting@eqct.org to set something up. We want to show up in every single town across the state.  
  • SEND YOUR THOUGHTS: Take a moment and send us your thoughts in writing by filling out this form. We can’t wait to hear from you! In the months ahead, you can expect to hear more from us.

Equality Connecticut is for you. Your ideas and vision will be vital to our success.

Over the next few months, we’ll continue listening and learning as we grow and connect with folks around the state. We’ll also be rolling out programs and events that bring people together. We hope to see you around Connecticut!

In Solidarity,

Equality Connecticut Advisory Board:

Kia Baird (she, her)
Matt Blinstrubas (he, him)
Ryan Borowy (they, them)
Alberto Cifuentes (he, him)
Stefan Keller (they, them, he, him)
Sarah Locke (she, her)
Gretchen Raffa (she, her)
Sana Shah (she, her)
Bilal Tajildeen (he, him)

Equality Connecticut is a fiscally sponsored project of Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs.

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