Do you want to be a part of creating change? We’re looking for you!
The Center is pleased to partner with Ohio Equal Rights to advance our “upstream” suicide prevention and leadership development efforts to create a safe, welcoming and inclusive Darke County for all people, including LGBTQ+ children, youth, adults and families.
In addition to being fundamental American and Ohio values, public health research shows that inclusion and equality are important when it comes to physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health and wellbeing. All Ohioans should have a right to go to school and work, secure a place to live, access healthcare and mental health care, and to participate freely in their communities. Discrimination is not okay. But there is something we can do about it. In fact, self-advocacy, advocating for others, and civic and community engagement are important forms of self-care and resilience.
On Sunday, October 5th from 12-2p, Ohio Equal Rights will be at the Center to help launch our new Civic Engagement & Leadership Development Initiative. Through this initiative, participants will learn how to safely and effectively advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion and how to engage in the civic process to create a safe, welcoming and inclusive Darke County. Our real-world civic engagement goal is to collect 1,000 signatures in Darke County for the following amendments:
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The Ohio Equal Rights Amendment will guarantee all Ohioans are included and have the same opportunities by prohibiting discrimination on account of race, color, creed or religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression regardless of sex assigned at birth, pregnancy status, genetic information, disease status, age, disability, recovery status, familial status, ancestry, national origin, or military and veteran status.
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The Ohio Right to Marry Amendment will ensure consenting adult couples can be legally married in Ohio regardless of race, sex or gender. Importantly, the Amendment provides protections for religious organizations as well.
Together, we can create a safe, welcoming and inclusive Darke County for all people. Learn more about the amendments at www.ohioequalrights.org.
If you would like to be part of this important initiative, volunteer to collect signatures or learn how to create positive change in our community, please RSVP for Sunday’s training here. You can also use the form if you aren’t able to make Sunday’s event, but would like to learn how you can be a part of this initiative, or if you have any questions.