During the hustle and bustle of the holidays we often lose sight of the struggle in which we are engaged.

I mean, Christmas itself falls right into the gay stereotype – flamboyance, sparkle and glitter – so it’s
difficult to focus on the darker side of LGBT life – discrimination at the workplace, bullying in the school
hallways, spiritual terrorism, and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

But these things continue to go on all around us.

So what’s on your list this holiday season? Job security? Safety in the schools? A counter to the ex-gay
industry?

Equality Alabama’s mission is to advance equality and civil rights for all of the people of Alabama. We
operate as a nonprofit organization and depend upon the support of you and other fair minded
individuals to pursue our mission.

With the downward shift in the economy we have found that our donations have dropped, as they have
for most other nonprofit organizations. But the economy is improving now, and with that, we hope that
the level of giving from our donors will increase as well. Or maybe you are recent friends on Facebook
or have come to our events, and that type of support is certainly appreciated. But now we need your
monetary support as well.

The changes in our state lawmaking body this year have sent up a red flag. We can fully expect
legislation to be introduced that would further weaken our rights, based on the assumed positions and
beliefs of the party in power. However, many of these legislators are new, and we don’t know their
individual positions on our issues, so it is important that our advocacy continue and that we educate
them so that no harm is done.

We ask that you review your level of giving before the year’s end. You can make a tax-deductible year-
end gift to Equality Alabama by sending a check to Equality Alabama, PO Box 13733, Birmingham, AL
35202. Or, you can set up a recurring donation of tax-deductible gifts by going to Equality Alabama and
clicking on the Donate Online tab. Any amount is appreciated, but remember there are administrative
costs and such, so a recurring donation of $15 or $25 or more is most effective. For the cost of a couple
of movies or a few of your favorite coffee drinks each month, you will know that Alabama’s only
statewide organization advocating for full equality will be able to continue its efforts.

The holiday season is all about giving (and getting those tax deductions), so act now! It will help to
ensure that Santa sees the wish for Equality on our list, and that we are able to move forward, not
backward, in the New Year.
Joe Openshaw

Equality Alabama Interim Chair