Campaign for Southern Equality

The Campaign for Southern Equality is working to build a South where LGBTQ+ people are equal in every part of life. A South where your zip code doesn’t determine your rights. Where all of us are free to be who we truly are and love who we truly love. At this unprecedented time of anti-LGBTQ+ attacks – and as public support for LGBTQ equality across the South continues to grow – The Campaign for Southern Equality invites you to join them in Meeting the Moment in the LGBTQ South.

Their Work:

Trans Youth Emergency Project

The Trans Youth Emergency Project (TYEP) is here to help families navigate the process of finding gender affirming care for their young ones, offering logistical and financial support, which looks like providing 1-on-1 custom patient navigation services and supports families of transgender youth with emergency grants to help them travel out of state for care. TYEP is specific in serving families of trans youth, under age of 18 (or 19 in two states). If you are in a state with a ban, like MO, they work with families to provide navigation and travel grants, and additional support and resources, like navigating insurance, figuring out legal support, etc. You can go to transyouthemergencyproject.org, fill out a quick application with who you are and your goals, then they'll schedule a call with you. Five navigators spend time on calls with families to learn about your and your situation. 

Legal Equality Program

Through the Legal Equality Program, the Campaign for Southern Equality works across the South to strike down anti-LGBTQ+ laws, promote pro-LGBTQ+ policies, and promote policies that support racial equity, economic justice and immigration reform.

Community Health Program

Through the Community Health Program, they respond to the widespread need for accessible, affirming healthcare among LGBTQ+ Southerners. They also provide clinics, resources, and trainings to help healthcare providers be more affirming of LGBTQ+ patients.

Healing and Resilience Program

Through the Healing & Resilience program, they focus on equipping the CSE community – including staff, partners, and advocates – with the necessary tools to care for themselves and one another, while doing the work to secure justice and equality for LGBTQ+ Southerners

Southern Equality Fund

Through the Southern Equality Fund (SEF), CSE empowers local LGBTQ leaders across the South to promote equality in their hometowns. Through the SEF, they provide grants, trainings and support.

Southern Equality Research and Policy Center

The Southern Equality Research and Policy Center (SERPC) conducts independent research and develops interventions to promote the legal and lived equality of LGBTQ+ Southerners. Through their community-based research, they promote an increased understanding of LGBTQ+ life in the South that is fact-based and can inform policies and strategies to promote the health, equity, and well-being of LGBTQ people in the region.

Southern Equality Studios

Art and storytelling have long played a powerful and central role in movements for social justice, and CFSE is honored to be a part of that long legacy in their region. Southern Equality Studios is a project that explores how the arts can be a catalyst and force in achieving lived and legal LGBTQ+ equality across the South.

Supportive Schools Program

The Supportive Schools Program provides training, policy guidance, and assessment services to assist schools in becoming more inclusive and welcoming for students of every sexual and gender identity. Through the program, CSE also advises and advocates on other LGBTQ+ youth-related issues and policies, and supports the formation and networking of school GSA’s and other youth organizations.