Equality North Carolina's 2009 Achievements

12/17/2009 - As the end of the year approaches, we take a moment to look back at what we've achieved together this year. Thanks to our amazing supporters across the state, we truly made history in our state and in the South. Our staff and boards are so grateful for everyone who made these victories possible. Read on for highlights from this amazing year.

Equality North Carolina board members, staff, and interns at the 2009 Equality Conference & Gala

School Violence Prevention Act

Together with a strong coalition of organizations and thousands of dedicated supporters across the state, Equality NC overcame the odds and made history by winning passage of S.B. 526 to provide strong protections against bullying and harassment in schools, with explicit protections for LGBT youth.

This landmark law marks the first time sexual orientation and gender identity are protected in North Carolina law, and the first time gender identity is protected in the any Southern state.

Check out our video documenting key moments in our campaign to achieve this victory.

Marriage Discrimination Amendment

For the sixth year, Equality NC successfully blocked efforts to amend our state constitution to deny same-sex couples marriage and any other type of relationship recognition.

Equality in Your Community!

We've been on the ground organizing supporters and holding programs in these cities and towns this year.

Asheville
Boone
Chapel Hill
Charlotte
Cullowhee
Durham
Elon
Fayetteville
Greensboro
Greenville
High Point
Raleigh
Rocky Mount
Wilmington
Winston-Salem
...and many more thanks to our amazing volunteers and online activists!

Healthy Youth Act

Equality NC worked through the Healthy Youth NC coalition to pass H.B. 88, replacing the failed abstinence-only law with a comprehensive sexuality education program.

HIV/AIDS Prevention & Care

Equality NC and the NC AIDS Action Network prevented drastic cuts to state funding of HIV prevention programs and ensured that the AIDS Drug Assistance Program would continue to serve low-income people living with HIV through the state budget crisis.

Day of Action

Equality NC more than doubled participation in our annual advocacy day at the General Assembly, with 250 participants helping us advance our legislative agenda.

Equality Conference & Gala

Equality NC Foundation took its third conference and gala to Greensboro, where more than 400 people joined us for an incredible day featuring 17 cutting-edge policy workshops and an amazing evening of celebration.

Highlights included the conference keynote by White House LGBT Liaison Brian Bond and presentation of our prestigious Legislative Leadership Award to Senator Julia Boseman.

Community Organizing

Equality NC and Equality NC Foundation expanded our outreach across the state, engaging local activists, and generating 10,000 postcards and 125,000 emails to legislators in support of pro-equality legislation.

Our internship program developed fourteen talented young leaders for LGBT rights.

Organization Building

Thanks to our amazing supporters and an aggressive fundraising program, we were able to sustain and expand our work to advance equal rights despite the economic downturn.

We also broadened our base of support, with 25,000 identified supporters statewide, including 11,000 subscribers to our email lists. We also reached new audiences online with 2600 Facebook fans and 800 Twitter followers.

Awards & Recognition

HRC Carolinas – Equality Award

Equality Federation – Most Amazing Achievement for winning passage of SVPA
Equality Federation – Best Fundraising Effort for our “Stam Challenge” PAC Campaign
Q-Notes – QList Best LGBT Non-Profit, NC
Q-Notes – QList Most Effective Grassroots Advocacy

Click here to make a contribution in honor of our work together this year.