We’re a new kind of network. Questions are welcome!
Check out these six FAQs. If you’re wondering about something that isn’t covered here, send an e-mail over to info@equalityacrossamerica.org!
1) What is Equality Across America (EAA)?
EAA is building a national network of grassroots activists to fight for full federal equality in all matters of civil law in all 50 states for all LGBT people. Inspired and initiated by many of the organizers of the 200,000-strong National Equality March on Washington on October 11, 2009, EAA aims to provide a strategy, common calls to action and support for existing and newly forming groups in all 435 congressional districts. We are building an activist alternative to the corporate-dominated national organizations. The network is made up of dedicated individuals, organizations and coalitions.
2) Who can join EAA?
Because LGBT people come from all racial, ethnic, national, class and other backgrounds, we believe that winning full equality is inconceivable without building solidarity with all groups—regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We encourage all grassroots activist groups that support full LGBT equality to affiliate with EAA. In unity there is strength!
3) What is the structure of EAA?
Currently EAA has a very minimal structure. There is a 10-person Interim National Governing Board (INGB) that was elected in November 2009 by several dozen activists who came together after the march. One INGB member is paid a living-wage salary to be the program director and perform administrative functions on a daily basis. The aim is to vote in a new governing board and more formal structure out of a national convention later this year where a leadership, strategy and structure can be discussed and debated in person.
4) What are Federal Equality Action Teams (FEATs)?
The activist groupings who chose to affiliate with EAA are known for now as Federal Equality Action Teams (FEATs). FEATs around the country, from large established groups to small campus coalitions, discuss common initiatives (usually via conference calls or in-person meetings, when possible) and share resources and ideas so that groups can act together on the initiatives they agree upon in order to make the greatest impact. All FEATs maintain their own governance and identity.
5) Does EAA have money?
Since the National Equality March organizers were extremely frugal with funds, around $100,000 remained afterwards. While EAA has spent some funds to get a new website up and running, put on the regional conferences and pay the new project director (as of March 1, 2010), EAA continues to raise funds online and through foundations to help keep itself going and build its actions. EAA is a project of The Tides Center, a 501(c)3, which holds and dispenses funds that are allocated by INGB vote for our activities.
6) What is EAA’s next action?
On May 22, 2010—the anniversary of Harvey Milk’s birthday—we will take action again to demand full equality for all LGBT people. The International Day Against Homophobia, May 17, kicks off a week of local actions and on Harvey Milk’s birthday, May 22, EAA calls on activists to converge in each of the 50 states for the Harvey Milk Day Action that local activists plan. Every LGBT group—regardless of affiliation—is encouraged to endorse and collaborate to make these actions broad and successful.
Will there be another march on DC?
Question:
What about intersex inclusion? Why are intersex people excluded?
Thanks for your question.
EAA is all for the full liberation of intersex people and all other sexual minorities, which is why we’ve included discussion about intersexuality and a challenge to the gender and sex binary in our regional conferences. As a member of EAA who is also a writer, my book, Sexuality and Socialism, radio interviews about intersex and the columns in the Nation about Caster Semenya have all taken this up in some depth. It certainly isn’t the case that EAA is excluding anyone, it’s that rather than just adding a letter to the end of a string of letters—which some intersex people have opposed, we need to raise the issues and politics and solidarity needed to to have a broad movement embrace intersex people and for intersex people to feel comfortable about coming out.
I wouldn’t personally oppose adding an “I” but I honestly don’t think the issue is a simple as that since there is widespread ignorance about intersexuality and very many people would have no idea what that refers to. That’s my personal opinion, anyway.-Sherry Wolf
Sherry, one hears this so often that it wears a little thin, that nobody knows what intersex is, that ignorance is widespread, that nobody will know what the I will stand for, so it should be excluded.
This excuse is used right across the board, in legislative reform, in healthcare, in censuses, in surveys, in human rights, in do many things that would be so beneficial to intersex people and where inclusion would make such a huge difference to the quality of our lives.
I have also heard this one far too often too, that some intersex people don’t want inclusion so that is excuse enough to exclude us all altogether.
Well, I am sorry, but I do not buy it.
The oppressors of intersex created the silence and ignorance about intersex for their own benefit, and not for the benefit of intersex people.
Silence and ignorance and exclusion add to our oppression. Going along with that adds to our oppression. Pretending that intersex is somehow included while being excluded adds to our oppression.
If you exclude the word intersex and the letter I, do you seriously think that intersex people will somehow know that you are really including us? Do you seriously think that we will flock to your events if we never see intersex or the letter I anywhere?
If you are genuine about intersex inclusion, then state that loud and clear in the most obvious way. Include the word intersex and the letter intersex and genuinely include us throughout all of your work.
Remember, our numbers are large and not to be taken lightly.