Southern Voice has the story.
Georgia Equality’s two highest priorities — moving a hate crimes bill forward and stiffening anti-bullying protections — didn’t garner committee hearings this year, but Jeff Graham, the group’s executive director, is alright [sic] with the final outcome.
“Of course I’m frustrated that it is so difficult to move proactive legislation… but given the attacks on LGBT partner recognition and parental rights in other states, I am pleased that did not happen here,” Graham said.
State Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates), the state’s only openly gay lawmaker in the General Assembly, said gays have to look for small victories.
“It’s the subtle victories that we have,” Drenner said. “I wouldn’t look for a lot of bills to pass.”
Yes, that sounds familiar. While much of the rest of the country is looking at marriage, civil unions, and even municipal partner registries, those of us in the South feel lucky to keep negative legislation at bay. The attacks make news more often than the "subtle victories." But these small steps forward are exactly how we buy time until either the State's political views change or until federal victories that apply to us can be achieved. Either way, an incredible amount of time, energy, and money are spent on playing defense and it's a worthwhile effort.
Well, this is kinda weird, but along these same lines, I, along with other immigration-control activists, had to beat back bills Karla Drenner sponsored in Georgia that would have allowed illegal aliens to get driver's licenses. But I support Drenner on the gay issues.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good way to look at it -- the bad stuff you hold at bay and keep from happening.