News Blog

Spotlight of the Month: Mark (CA)

9/25/2021

Spotlight showcases the work of NEAT supporters who are the backbone of what we do every day for LGBTQ+ Justice

NAME: Mark

   PRONOUNS: He / Him / His

AGE:  63

   LOCATION:  Long Beach, CA

Tell us about yourself outside of NEAT volunteering! (e.g. work, family, hobbies)
I'm the treasurer of a local democratic club called YES WE CAN Democratic club.

What's your connection to LGBTQ+ justice work?
I was the treasurer for Long Beach Equality and worked with Marriage Equality USA.

What is your volunteer role(s) at NEAT? What inspired you to get involved?
I volunteer as the Data Manager. I take all the data created from the phone and text banks, organize it and report it out so NEAT can use it for the campaigns it's working on.

Share a memory from volunteering that sticks out in your mind.
I enjoy working with Brian Silva (NEAT Advisor)

What would you say to anyone considering volunteering with NEAT?
Volunteering helps getting things done!

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Farewell to our Executive Director, Brian Silva

9/10/2021

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Happy Friday all! I'm writing to share with you that today is my last day as the Executive Director at NEAT.

In 2008 I signed up to volunteer at Marriage Equality New York (MENY) and began over a decade of LGBTQ+ advocacy leadership. When MENY merged with Marriage Equality USA (MEUSA) in 2011, the new Board invited me to stay on as the Executive Director and I was proud to lead us across the finish line in 2015. But the work wasn't done. So we took MEUSA's tools and resources and started the National Equality Action Team (NEAT) as an organization to fight for full LGBTQ+ Justice. I'm proud of the journey from MENY to NEAT and grateful to all of our volunteers, partners, donors, and members -- especially so many of you who have stayed with us for over a decade. I'm also deeply thankful to my friends and family, especially my husband Jonathan, who have supported me and this work throughout all of these years.

Since I started in 2008, we've helped lead almost 50 campaigns -- including our current campaign to pass the Equality Act which NEAT kickstarted this past February even before the official campaign began. We've passed or protected LGBTQ+ protections in Jacksonville (FL), Massachusetts, Anchorage (AK), Virginia and more. We've fought for the Dream Act, to restore voting rights in Florida and against a right-wing Supreme Court. We've registered voters in Michigan and Georgia and helped people in the hardest to reach counties complete the Census. We've organized dozens of rallies in Washington D.C. / nationally for Supreme Court cases along with virtual town hall events, and supported thousands of local partners' events doing the same. We've engaged elected officials in support (or opposition) of over 400 pieces of legislation. And through it all, our volunteers have taken over a million actions - phone bank dials, texts sent, doors knocked - over the course of hundreds of thousands of hours. I am beyond proud of all of the work we have done together.

I'm excited to share that I will be joining the amazing team at Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) as their Vice President of Outreach and Engagement, where I'll continue to work with volunteers and partners to fight for LGBTQ+ rights and other critical issues. As part of my transition, NEAT has hired two of our outstanding volunteer staff, Christine Thornton and Elyse Decker, to continue our volunteer driven work to pass the Equality Act, which I hope you will continue to volunteer with and support! While the Equality Act will also be NEAT's final campaign, I am beyond thrilled to have these two amazing advocates leading the charge and carrying this critical legislation across the finish line. Look to hear more from Christine and Elyse soon!

Thank you again for so many years of your trust and support. I look forward to our paths crossing again as we work to build a more just and equitable world today and for future generations.

Onward!

Brian Silva
Founder & Executive Director, NEAT

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Summer Newsletter (2021)

9/3/2021

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SUMMER 2021

Broadway Performs for the Equality Act
Music & Faith Luminaries take Action for the Equality Act

Intersections: Include Trans Students in All Activities
Spotlights of the Summer: Helena (NY)

BROADWAY PERFORMS AND TAKES ACTION FOR EQUALITY ACT!

The stars of Broadway showed up and took action at our virtual House Party in support of the Equality Act! In between performances by Kevin Smith Kirkwood, Michael Buchanan, Sarah Beth Pfeifer and Lisa Kron, the performers also showed how folks can be more effective adovcates on social media, calling their Senators and sending emails. Check out their performances here.

INTERSECTIONS: INCLUDE OF TRANS STUDENTS IN EDUCATION, ATHLETICS, AND OTHER EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

In honor of Pride Month and on the Summer Olympic Games, NEAT is proud to be a signatory of In Support of Full Inclusion for Transgender Students: An Open Letter from the Civil and Human Rights Community. Learn More

SPOTLIGHTS OF THE SUMMER:

HELENA (NY), IRWIN (CT) & ELYSE (WA)

Our Spotlights showcase the work of NEAT's staff, volunteers, donors and partners who are the backbone of what we do every day for LGBTQ+ Justice. This month, meet Helena (NY), Irwin (CT) and Elyse (WA)

NEAT JOINS MUSIC & FAITH LUMINARIES TO TAKE ACTION FOR THE EQUALITY ACT

The Music in Action livestream event in support of the Equality Act was a star studded event held during Pride month. The virtual house party was not only incredibly fun, but educational and impactful for all who attended. Check out the performance here

As part of the Colors of Pride faith week for the Equality Act, NEAT proudly hosted an interactive virtual event with Bishop Megan Rohrer, the first openly transgender minister to be ordained by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Learn More

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Spotlight of the Month: Mark (CA)

Farewell to our Executive Director, Brian Silva

Summer Newsletter (2021)

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