A newly created non-profit organization will unify lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer groups across the state.
Equality Louisiana was designed to create a collective voice among LGBTQ organizations on statewide issues and serve as a medium to share information.
Matthew Patterson, Education and Advocacy committee chair for Capital City Alliance, said the idea behind EQLA came from the experience of trying to pass the Safe Schools Bill, which failed to pass the Legislature last spring.
CCA Political Director Tucker Barry realized what the problem was when working on the bill.
“While the scope of the bill was statewide, there was no communication between groups across the state, making it difficult to establish a statewide backing for our issues,” Barry said.
A group of figures in the LGBTQ community, including many members of CCA, decided there was a need for an inclusive group.
“We came to realize we needed a new way of organizing for LGBTQ rights in Louisiana,” Patterson said.
Over the summer, they developed a proposal for Equality Louisiana.
EQLA was formed on three principles: prioritize each coalition partner, a transparent and democratic process and transgender inclusion. Groups that support EQLA must abide by these ideals.
In particular, EQLA plans to stress transgender inclusion. LGBTQ Project Coordinator Bruce Parker said many organizations are not fully transgender inclusive.
“This is out of step with the national advocacy organizations and out of step with the spirit of the movement,” Parker said.
As of now, EQLA has support from Spectrum — the University’s LGBTQ organization, CCA, Louisiana Trans Advocates and Louisiana Stonewall Democrats. They are actively working on including Forum for Equality, People Acting for Change and Equality and Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
Forum for Equality Chair John Hill said he was unaware of EQLA or those involved until recently but supports anyone involved in the movement for LGBTQ rights.
P.A.C.E Vice President Baylor Boyd said he was also unfamiliar with EQLA until recently but welcomes involvement in the future.
Parker said he wants students to know college organizations will be treated as equal partners and have as much input as any other organization involved. He believes they’re vital for change in society.
“It is clear to me that any chance we have of making a real difference in this state is dependent on two things — our ability to engage college students and our ability to work together as one community that prioritizes the cause over the individual interests of any individual or organization,” Parker said.
Louisiana Stonewall Democrats founder Stephen Handwerk said he’s excited about the efforts of those involved with EQLA. Handwerk provided input during the proposal process for EQLA.
“There is such a need for an umbrella group like this — a group that can pull together everything from student groups to civic and neighborhood groups all into one,” Handwerk said.
From here, EQLA plans to grow and gain more momentum.
Patterson said they hope to continue adding organizations and host a summit meeting this fall in order to determine their legislative plan of action.
“We’ll be much stronger working together than we have been in the past,” he said.
 
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Contact Lauren Duhon at [email protected]