NEAT News Blog

Stories from our volunteers, campaigns, and fight for LGBTQ+ justice

NEAT Is Working to Make Sure Communities Are Counted in the 2020 Census

Posted 4/24/2020 · 0 Comments · by Jeff B White

NEAT census outreach graphic encouraging everyone to be counted
Every person deserves to be counted

The National Equality Action Team (NEAT) is committed to ensuring your voice is counted. Together with the National LGBTQ+ Task Force and other partners across the LGBTQ+ and social justice movements, NEAT is activating its nationwide remote phone bank network and volunteers to reach hard-to-contact counties throughout the U.S. and help residents — especially people of color — complete their census forms.

Unfortunately, the U.S. Census has never counted everyone. Every decade, countless marginalized people go uncounted — including low-income residents, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and children — while wealthier and white communities are overcounted. The Census is meant to count every single person living in the country, so that funding can be directed to programs like Medicaid, public housing, and food assistance, and so that elected officials represent an equal number of constituents.

“We’re thrilled to partner with NEAT so Queer the Census coalition volunteers can help bring funding, decision-making power, political representation, and civil rights enforcement back into our local communities, especially during this pandemic. It’s especially important right now to remind folks that the Census helps fund programs like Medicaid and determines where hospitals are built,” said Victoria Kim from the National LGBTQ+ Task Force.

“This is such an exciting partnership,” said Brian Silva, Founder and Executive Director of NEAT. “Expanding into Census work really shows that the possibilities for our ‘Bank Program’ (phone bank) and Field Collaborative are endless!”

Our communities need to be counted so they can access federal funds for programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and public housing, secure representation in state, local, and federal government, and strengthen enforcement of our civil rights. You can join this campaign today by volunteering to make calls from home.

Volunteer for Census Calls

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NEAT Hosts a Virtual Rally and Town Hall for #DecisionDay

Posted 4/18/2020 · 0 Comments

Virtual Town Hall 2020 announcement graphic for Decision Day
Join our Virtual Town Hall on #DecisionDay

Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court heard three cases that could either dismantle existing LGBTQ+ employment protections or affirm that federal law already protects LGBTQ+ people. This is a pivotal moment for our community and a difficult environment for everyone. That’s why we’re inviting you to join us — and nearly 100 other organizations — on #DecisionDay for our Virtual National Rally, followed by our Virtual Town Hall.

We’ve organized a Virtual National Rally featuring LGBTQ+ leaders from across the country and the people who led the fight on these cases. Let’s come together, lift each other up during difficult times, and thank those who fought this case for our community. Whatever the decision, we know the fight continues!

Our Virtual Town Hall will feature a panel of experts discussing the court’s opinion, analyzing its potential effects, and explaining what our community can do to respond and fight for full LGBTQ+ protections, including the federal Equality Act. Participants will have time for Q&A, and everyone who signs up will receive a recording.

The U.S. Supreme Court does not give advance notice on decisions, so we won’t know anything until that morning. Watch for an email alert from NEAT. If you’d like to host your own local virtual event on #DecisionDay, sign up here.

The Court must affirm that all LGBTQ+ people should be able to work hard and support themselves and their families without fear of discrimination on the job — protections already affirmed by multiple federal courts and agencies for many years. We will also need to keep working for full federal nondiscrimination protections. So RSVP, and let’s come together as a virtual community for #DecisionDay!

RSVP for #DecisionDay Host a Local Event Learn About the Cases

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Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Jeff

Posted 4/13/2020 · 0 Comments

Volunteer Spotlight shines a light on NEAT’s volunteers, the backbone of everything we do each day for LGBTQ+ justice.

NEAT volunteer Jeff
Jeff, NEAT volunteer
Jeff volunteering with NEAT
Making calls for LGBTQ+ justice
Name, pronouns, age, and location
Jeff; he, him, his; 38; New York, NY.
Tell us about yourself outside of NEAT volunteering!
I’m originally from Mississippi, and although I’ve lived all over the U.S. and traveled the world, New York is the home that was waiting for me. I now live in Manhattan with my kitten Lilian. I study Religious Theory at Harvard University.
What’s your connection to LGBTQ+ justice work?
I faced quite a bit of adversity after coming out as gay in my small Southern town at the age of 14. Of course, the regular bullying took place, along with sexual, verbal, and physical abuse from various areas of life. It was through the strength and courage I found in activism and advocacy — sharing my story, living my truth, and helping others do the same — that I have been able to help myself not only overcome events in my past but help ensure that others do not face the same issues as I have. Outside of NEAT, I’ve worked in LGBTQ+ justice for the past 10 years on numerous campaigns such as a worldwide anti-suicide campaign, marriage equality, the founding of the first LGBTQ+ community center in Mississippi, as well as assisting on and even leading campaigns on local, regional, and statewide levels throughout the South.
What is your volunteer role(s) at NEAT? What inspired you to get involved?
I was involved with Marriage Equality USA through other organizations I worked for, and through that built a relationship with Brian Silva that allowed me to become part of NEAT. I have been a member of the Core team at NEAT since 2015. I make calls and speak directly with voters around the country about issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. I’ve helped train new volunteers and even worked with activists visiting as part of the international fellowship program. Recently, I have begun managing our Communications Team, where we write and edit the blog section of our website. I also oversee our monthly newsletter. As for why I am inspired to do this work, I remember a time when we had zero rights and acceptance of our community was nonexistent. It took years of hard work and dedication for us to get where we are today, and I feel it is up to me and my friends to ensure things get better not only for us, but for everyone. As long as NEAT celebrates and supports that concept, I’m down for this all the way.
Share a memory from volunteering that sticks out in your mind.
I have made so many wonderful memories throughout my time volunteering at NEAT, but what stands out the most for me is more personal than it is volunteer related. This organization has changed my life many times over. It gave me purpose, responsibility, and direction when I needed it most. The relationships I have with the team are invaluable to me. NEAT even made it possible for me to relocate to NYC permanently. So the best memory I have from this whole adventure is the day I was asked to sign up for my first shift.
What would you say to anyone considering volunteering with NEAT?
To quote Scream Queen Julie James in the 90’s cult hit I Know What You Did Last Summer, “What are you waiting for?!”
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NEAT's blog brings together campaign updates, volunteer stories, and ways to take action for LGBTQ+ justice. From Census outreach to virtual rallies and town halls, these posts show how remote phone banking and community organizing keep the work moving forward. Explore the archives to follow the campaigns and meet the volunteers behind them.