Everyday, I witness our Missouri legislators find their passion and harness their voice to speak out on legislation they believe in. Specifically, watching legislators like House Minority Floor Leader Crystal Quade speak out against HB 126 and openly gay Rep. Greg Razer call out anti-LGBTQ rhetoric by sharing their personal stories taught me to see…
In the final days of the legislative session, Missouri passed one of the most extreme bills in the country, following the lead of states like Mississippi, Kentucky, Ohio, Georgia, and Alabama. House Bill 126, known as the “Heartbeat Bill,” would ban abortion as early as eight weeks — before many people even know they are…
Last week, students of the GSTA (gay straight trans alliance) of Kickapoo High School in Springfield, Missouri were celebrating a spirit week. During this week, GSTA students worked to raise awareness on inclusivity of LGBTQ individuals through themed days. They hung signs like: “No hate, no fear, everyone is welcome here.” In an endeavor to…
We’ve had an incredible year! Check out the top 10 moments of 2018: The Missouri Nondiscrimination Act (MONA) passed out of a House Committee for only the 2nd time in Missouri history. Representative Tracy McCreery filed the Youth Mental Health Preservation Act, the very first bill to ban conversion therapy in Missouri history. Staff and…
Our community is one built on the experiences and bravery of those before us — the heroes both sung and unsung. In June much of the world celebrates Pride. Pride means many things to different people. A declaration of their authentic selves. A testament of allyship and support. A month-long celebration to commemorate the persistence…
This February, over 100 Missourians joined us in Jefferson City for our first lobby day of the 2018 session. Together, we rallied, we spoke to our legislators, and we came out for our community. Here are four powerful moments that stood out: Showing up makes a difference. Really. An ally couple joined us for their…
Did you know PROMO has been training organizations, businesses, hospitals, and nonprofits in LGBT cultural competency for nearly five years? The PROMO and SAGE of PROMO Fund cultural competency trainings help professionals develop the skills to interact effectively with LGBT clients, employees, and communities. With more people outwardly identifying as LGBT, organizations of all kinds…
Everyone has heard of Westboro Baptist Church based out of Topeka, Kansas, right? Well if you have not, I will not be linking to their website because it is so disgusting. Just imagine the most hateful things and, boom, there you have it. The first time I saw them I was at a Ralph Nader…
Sometimes we need to retreat. In the interest of self-care and self-preservation, sometimes we need to stay home, get lost in a book, or let Netflix take us away. This is not the time to stay home. We must find the resilience in ourselves to show up. We must send the message that we’re not…
Coca-Cola did it again, they managed to help educate people softly in a Super Bowl ad. Watch the ad for Coca-Cola’s inclusion of nonbinary and gender nonconforming people. “There is a Coke for he, for she, and her, and me, and them.” What is nonbinary? Nonbinary, also referred to as “gender queer” or “gender nonconforming”,…
