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Posts by Steph Perkins

7
Feb

Written By Steph Perkins
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Legislative Update: First anti-LGBTQ bills of the year

We knew they would come, and here they are...the first anti-LGBTQ bills of the year. During a session where we have already heard bipartisan voices speak up for LGBTQ protections on the House floor and pro-equality bills filed by ...

22
Jan

Written By Steph Perkins

2008 vs. 2018

Our Facebook feeds are filling up with comparison photos and glow-ups with the #2008vs2018 trend. I originally struggled to decide if I was going to post a pre-transition photo of myself. Personally and professionally, I’m not shy about sharing ...

22
Oct

Written By Steph Perkins

Transgender Missourians #WontBeErased

Over the weekend, the New York Times published an article about the Trump administration considering a proposal to roll back recognition and protections of transgender people by redefining gender in Title IX in extremely narrow terms. We recognize that the ...

10
Jul

Written By Steph Perkins
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SCOTUS Nomination – What’s At Stake

Tuesday morning, PROMO joined coalition partners, Advancement Project, Missouri Health Care For All, Missouri Immigrant and Refugee Advocates, NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri, National Council of Jewish Women, and SEIU Missouri State Council, for a press conference to bring awareness to the ...

4
Jun

Written By Steph Perkins
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The Supreme Court Votes in Favor of the Baker in the Masterpiece Case, Reaffirms Need for Nondiscrimination

This morning, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Colorado baker in the Masterpiece Case, 7-2. The Court, however, did recognize the harm of discrimination and reaffirmed that states can act to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination. The Court’...

1
Jun

Written By Steph Perkins
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We Are Adding the “Q”

We have an announcement! Starting this Pride month, PROMO will begin to use the acronym LGBTQ when referring to our events, in our mission, and when we are collectively referring to our community as a whole. To some this decision ...

1
Jun

Written By Steph Perkins
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FAQ: PROMO is Adding the Q!

What does the Q in LGBTQ stand for? “Queer” or “Questioning.” Generally, PROMO will use the Q to refer to “Queer.” Starting this Pride month, PROMO will begin to use the acronym LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) when ...

27
Mar

Written By Steph Perkins

Bad News from DC, Good News from MO

Happy LGBT Health Awareness Week! Several things are happening at the federal level that impact the health of LGBT Missourians, including religious refusals, healthcare, and the transgender military ban. Learn more below, as well as how you can take action ...

20
Mar

Written By Steph Perkins
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Equality at Missouri’s Supreme Court

Two LGBT discrimination cases are going to the Missouri Supreme Court. Lampley v. Missouri Commission on Human Rights Involves Harold Lampley, a gay man who faced discrimination from his employer because he didn’t conform to masculine stereotypes, or sex-stereotyping, ...

26
Jan

Written By Steph Perkins

Rep. Stephens Blatantly Leaves Gender Identity Out of HB 2253

This week, Rep. Mike Stephens filed HB 2253, a bill very similar to the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act, including protections for sexual orientation in employment, housing, and public accommodations. This bill has one glaring problem. HB 2253 intentionally leaves out gender identity. Our ...

2
Jan

Written By Steph Perkins
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Five Anti-LGBT Bills in Missouri

Missouri’s legislative session begins tomorrow, January 3rd at 12pm. Four blatantly anti-LGBT bills were pre-filed in December. Since then one more bill has been filed. These bills are the exact same bills that were filed  last year, so we ...

5
Dec

Written By Steph Perkins

Masterpiece Case Is Being Heard By the Supreme Court Today

Today, the United States Supreme Court will begin oral arguments in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case, a landmark case for LGBT nondiscrimination. We’ll be live-tweeting the audio of the oral arguments on Twitter, so make sure to follow along!  A ...

17
Nov

Written By Steph Perkins

Because of You.

Because of you, PROMO is ready for whatever comes in 2018. In 2017, we have seen rhetoric, guidance, executive actions, legislation, and even violence, targeting LGBT Missourians within our neighborhoods, in Jefferson City, and at the federal level. It can sometimes be ...

25
Oct

Written By Steph Perkins

Missouri Western Court of Appeals Ruling Step Forward for Protecting LGBT People

In an historic decision on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, a Missouri Court of Appeals Western District three-judge panel (Karen King Mitchell, Presiding Judge, Gary D. Witt, Judge, Anthony Rex Gabbert, Judge) ruled that workplace discrimination on the basis of sex-stereotyping — conforming to ...

19
Sep

Written By Steph Perkins
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The Stockley Verdict

This weekend has been an important past few days in the fight for equality and justice. This past Friday, former St. Louis Police Officer Jason Stockley was found Not Guilty by a judge for the killing of Anthony Lamar Smith. ...

25
Aug

Written By Steph Perkins

Difficult Two Weeks

Dear Friend, Early Tuesday morning, Kiwi Herring was killed by Saint Louis Metro Police Officers. Kiwi was a transgender woman of color and is survived by her partner and their three children. Kiwi was a member of our LGBT community. ...

26
Jul

Written By Steph Perkins
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President Trump Attacks Transgender People

This morning, President Donald Trump put out a stream of tweets directed at transgender Americans, calling for a renewal of the ban on transgender servicemembers. But a tweet is not a policy. There are thousands of transgender people currently serving ...

30
Jun

Written By Steph Perkins
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Feeling Prideful

Happy last day of Pride Month! We believe that Pride is a time to honor those who came before us and made it possible for us to be where we are today. It is a time to celebrate each other, ...

23
Feb

Written By Steph Perkins
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Our Executive Director’s Statement on Title IX Implementation

Last night, the Trump Administration rescinded lifesaving Title IX guidance for transgender students in public schools. While this sends a dangerous message and reinforces an idea that transgender young people are undeserving of legal protection, it does not change the ...

2
Feb

Written By Steph Perkins

Six Things You Can Do Right Now

 As a statewide organization, we don’t often get involved in federal or national politics as much as some other organizations. We know that our focus in Jefferson City and in our local communities truly affects the lives of Missourians ...

16
Dec

Written By Steph Perkins

Our Commitment To You Missourians

The core of PROMO’s work is an ambitious goal: achieving equality for ALL Missourians. In 2016, we saw incredible progress. To name a few: Defeated 16 anti-LGBT bills, including SJR 39, a bill that could have amended our state constitution to allow ...

22
Nov

Written By Steph Perkins

Post-Election Frequently Asked Questions

In the eight years of the Obama administration, LGBT people have gained more freedoms than under any administration ever, so we recognize the uncertainty and fear you may be feeling. But we are here to reassure you that this work ...

9
Nov

Written By Steph Perkins

The Day After

Yesterday, voters across the state and across the country went to the polls and voted in what was arguably one of the most important elections in recent history. Much of the results are difficult to process. In Missouri specifically, we ...

5
Nov

Written By Steph Perkins
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You Already Know You Have to Vote, Right?

In just a couple days, we will have an opportunity to vote in arguably the most divisive presidential election of our time. Many of you may still be struggling with who you want to vote for or if you want ...

10
Oct

Written By Steph Perkins
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Sen. Ed Emery’s Unfortunate Guide to Being an Ally

This past Friday, Sen. Ed Emery spoke at a meeting where he spent much of his time spreading false information and hateful messaging about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Much of what Sen. Emery said was not just offensive, ...

8
Aug

Written By Steph Perkins
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Discomfort Is Part of the Work

Two years ago this week, Michael Brown was shot and killed in Ferguson, Missouri, a city where less than two years before, we worked with the Ferguson City Council to pass the first inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance in North County. As ...

20
May

Written By Steph Perkins

Session is Over

WHEW! What a session! I know you all spent the past week celebrating the official defeat of SJR 39 and the other 15 bills targeting LGBT people filed this session. If you didn’t, you should take a moment and high five ...

28
Apr

Written By Steph Perkins

SJR 39 Fails In Committee

Dear Equality Supporter; In a 6-6 vote on April 27, 2016, the majority of the Emerging Issues Committee voted against SJR 39. The committee members that voted against SJR 39 are Rep. Jeremy LaFaver, Rep. Mike Colona, Rep. Jim Hansen, Rep. Sharon Pace, Rep. ...

11
Apr

Written By Steph Perkins

The House Has Three Chances To Get It Right Starting Tomorrow

Dear Equality Supporter; The Emerging Issues Committee hearing on SJR 39 is scheduled for tomorrow between 4-6pm (after adjournment).  We need your help in stopping it from moving further. Please contact the 12 members of the committee letting them know that ...

21
Mar

Written By Steph Perkins

In Depth Look at SJR 39

In Depth Look at SJR 39 For the last two weeks, we have been actively fighting to stop SJR 39. Last week, we saw all 8 Democratic Senators filibuster for 39 hours attempting to stop this incredibly harmful bill. Unfortunately, the Senate passed this ...

6
Mar

Written By Steph Perkins

Anti-LGBT Proposed Constitutional Amendment SJR 39 Passes Out of Missouri’s Senate

Dear Friend, In case you haven’t been tuning in, the Senate Democrats just finished a 39 hour filibuster of the anti-LGBT bill SJR 39. We are beyond grateful for their leadership and perseverance. Unfortunately, the Senate still forced a vote on ...

22
Feb

Written By Steph Perkins

A Look at the Harmful Anti-LGBT Bills Filed So Far

There have been nine anti-LGBT bills filed thus far in the Missouri Legislature. We wanted to give you a glance at these bills and where they currently stand in the state legislature. Religious Exemption Bills Religious exemption bills are thinly ...

3
Feb

Written By Steph Perkins

MONA Passes Out of Senate Committee

The Missouri Nondiscrimination Act (MONA) is making strides in the Missouri Legislature. MONA would add sexual orientation and gender identity to Missouri’s Human Rights Statute, which currently prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations for other protected categories, ...

30
Oct

Written By Steph Perkins

LGBT History Month: Johnda Boyce

An attorney in Springfield, Johnda is on the board of PFLAG Springfield and a long-time advocate for LGBT equality. She was heavily involved in the fight to pass an inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance in Springfield, and she worked tirelessly to keep ...

26
Oct

Written By Steph Perkins

LGBT History Month: Melanie Curtis

Melanie volunteered tirelessly for the NO Repeal Campaign, from beginning to end. She was at nearly every campaign phone bank, talking to voters about the importance of voting “no” and keeping the nondiscrimination ordinance in Springfield, Missouri. A quote from ...

16
Oct

Written By Steph Perkins

LGBT History Month: Dominiece Hoelyfield

Dominiece helped open the first LGBT Resource Center at Missouri State University and is the first person to staff that center, as the Assistant Director for the Multicultural Center and Programs Coordinator for LGBT Student Services. She is also a ...

4
Aug

Written By Steph Perkins

Springfield Missouri Votes to Repeal Protections for LGBT People

Springfield residents feel the impact of this vote. The NO Repeal campaign touched many lives and has moved Springfield forward immensely in regards to LGBT issues. With 100s of volunteers, 1,000s of volunteer hours and direct conversations with voters, and ...

28
Jul

Written By Steph Perkins

Building A More Inclusive Movement: State By State

From June 22 to June 25, I attended my first Summer Meeting by the Equality Federation, an organization that partners with state-based LGBT advocacy organizations. Over 190 advocates from several statewide groups came together to share their victories and defeats, present on their ...

17
Jul

Written By Steph Perkins

EEOC Ruling vs. MONA

On Thursday, a federal court ruled that Title VII, sex discrimination, included protections based on sexual orientation, reinforcing that many LGB employees do have legal protection from being fired. EEOC rulings are not binding on federal courts, however they are ...

22
Jun

Written By Steph Perkins
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PROMO Stands With Charleston

The murder of nine people inside their historic African-American church this past Wednesday still has us in shock. The shooting victims at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina include Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Rev. Sharonda Singleton, Myra ...

15
Jun

Written By Steph Perkins

2015 LGBT Pride Hero

Thank you Kellie for all you have done for LGBT Missourians! Kellie Freeman Rohrbaugh is a tireless advocate and ally for LGBT equality. Kellie recently directed the One Springfield, NO Repeal Campaign in Springfield, MO, leading to one of the ...

13
Oct

Written By Steph Perkins

Springfield Passes Nondiscrimination Ordinance!

Springfield joins the other 14 municipalities in Missouri with comprehensive nondiscrimination ordinances inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity for employment, housing, and public accommodations. Springfield is now the first city in southern Missouri with an inclusive ordinance for LGBT persons ...

27
Mar

Written By Steph Perkins

Missouri Representative Mike Colona Files Marriage Bill

This is not the first time that the ban has been challenged. Just last month, with the help of ACLU of Missouri, eight Missouri couples from across the state filed suit challenging the constitutionality of Constitutional Amendment 2. Missouri Representative Mike ...

23
Jan

Written By Steph Perkins

Governor Jay Nixon Issues Strong LGBT Focused State of the State Address

This evening, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon delivered his State of the State address to Missourians. Nixon’s speech included strong support for the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act (MONA). Governor Nixon asserted, “We need to end discrimination against LGBT Missourians in the ...

26
Jun

Written By Steph Perkins
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Historic Moment: Supreme Court Strikes Down DOMA and Prop 8

Today was a huge win in the name of marriage equality for all families. Today, the Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and declared Prop 8 lacked standing, which effectively means marriage equality will go ...

24
May

Written By Steph Perkins

Maryland Heights Amends Housing Bill to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Protections

In most parts of Missouri, hardworking lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) citizens face the constant reality that they could be fired from their job for being LGBT and be denied access to housing and public accommodations. Tonight, Maryland Heights ...

17
Dec

Written By Steph Perkins

Springfield City Council Approves Task Force Members

Tonight, the Springfield City Council unanimously approved members for this Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Task Force. Council members each appointed one task force member, and the following members were chosen by the City Council’s Public Involvement Committee from ...

29
Nov

Written By Steph Perkins

PROMO Visits the White House

I am Steph Perkins, Southwest Missouri PROMO Organizer, and I'm writing you on behalf of PROMO today to let you know about some exciting news around equality that will affect us nationally as well as right here in Missouri. This ...