Jeff Graham

Access to care crucial for Georgia's most vulnerable Opinion: Extending tax credits is crucial for healthcare access, especially for LGBTQ+ communities and people living with HIV/AIDS.

If Congress does not act now to renew Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, it's estimated the cost of insurance premiums in GA could increase by as much as 75% during the open enrollment period.

READ this op-ed from our executive director, Jeff Graham, for more: roughdraftatlanta.com/2025/10/15/h...

Pence: "I served alongside the president for four years. I know his style in dealing with these dictators. It's the velvet glove ... Putin only understands strength."

ANCHORAGE…

Ossoff, health care advocates call to renew expiring ACA tax credits • Georgia Recorder Georgia residents could see as much as a 40% increase in their health insurance premiums if Congress does not extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits, U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff said a...

I’m honored to stand with Sen Jon Ossoff and his call for a bipartisan effort to keep health insurance more affordable

georgiarecorder.com/briefs/ossof...

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AOC: If you are an LGBTQ kid or family, we cannot throw you under the bus in order to win an election. In this house, we stand together

A white graphic with the Georgia Equality rainbow logo at the top header. Below in navy blue text it reads, "Today, the House Judiciary Committee heard SB 36, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). Despite repeated assurances that this bill would not be used to create a license to discriminate or to preempt local non-discrimination ordinances, when offered Republican-sponsored, bipartisan amendments with these guarantees, the bill sponsor rejected them all. We are disappointed by this rejection of a common-sense compromise to protect Georgians. This move makes it clear that our concerns about this bill being weaponized against vulnerable groups are completely valid. While RFRAs were created originally to be a shield against discrimination, proponents seek to use it as a sword. Over the last 11 years, Georgia legislators have repeatedly rejected the need for similar legislation. Georgia is one of only three states with no statewide non-discrimination law. Without having a statewide civil rights law, RFRA could create a broad license to discriminate on the basis of faith with no necessary protections against discrimination on the basis of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, country of origin, etc. No action was taken on any of the multiple anti-LGBTQ bills heard so far this week, but we will continue to closely monitor them all. We encourage folks to continue to contact their leaders in opposition to these efforts."

BREAKING: Today, the House Judiciary Committee heard SB 36, the 'Religious Freedom Restoration Act' (RFRA). While the bill did not move out of committee today, the extensive hearing revealed illuminating truths about the bill's intent.

Please read our full statement:

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Let this sink in.

Committee on Economic Development and Tourism getting started bright and early...
My SB251 "Junk Fees" is up first.

The amendment for non-discrimination protections fails on a party-line vote of 7-3.

Folks, we can’t make this up. A carve out to legalize discrimination on the basis of religion is fine, but statewide civil rights protections would have too many “unintended consequences.”

An infographic with a tan background. At the top in a green box reads the headline, "The Cost of Georgia's DEFENSE OF ANTI-TRANS POLICIES" Below are several green text bubbles. In the first is an image of a stack of cash with the header, "$4.1 MILLION in Georgia taxpayer money." The fine print reads, "Including all discrimination lawsuits/complaints involving transgender Georgians since 2015" The next one is an image of two hands shaking with a dollar sign above. The header reads, "$2.1 MILLION spent by the State to settle claims." Below, the fine print reads: "The $4.1 million figure includes $2.1 million to settle claims and another $2 million in legal fees" The next one has an image of a document with a magnifying glass and the scales of justice. The header reads, "19 CLAIMS made on the violation of trans rights." The fine print reads, "The AJC identified at least 19 claims since 2015, most on the denial of medical care for transgender people" The next one has an image of a gavel with the headline, "0 CASES WON, Georgia has lost or settled nearly every case." The fine print reads below, "The State of Georgia has lost or settled every one of these 19 claims brought forth, or it's still being litigated" The last one has an image of the Capitol building's dome. The header reads, "3 BILLS on policies already in litigation." The fine print reads, "The GA General Assembly is advancing at least 3 anti-trans bills on policies already litigated or still in litigation." In the background is a gray wavy pattern. In the bottom corner is the black and white Georgia Equality logo.

Yesterday, @ajc.com published an article reviewing the cost of the State of Georgia's defense of anti-trans policies. Despite proponents of anti-trans bills continuously citing defending taxpayer money, their discrimination is actually costing taxpayers far more.

Read: www.ajc.com/politics/geo...

Currently appearing at UK bus-stops.

More of this pointed ridicule, please.

📢 The clock is ticking! ⏳ The public comment period for the Pathways to Coverage waiver extension closes TOMORROW, February 20, 2025, and your voice is needed now more than ever! 🗣️

🔗 Submit a Public Comment Here: buff.ly/4gptGAQ

Pathways is failing to provide coverage at the scale Georgians need.

Re: the sex definition piece of HB 267:

A court in Montana just ruled today that their sex redefinition law is unconstitutional: bsky.app/profile/erin...

With legal challenges likely, if this bill passes, Georgia tax-payers would be forced to foot the bill in defense of discrimination in court.

🚨🧵 THREAD: The House Education Policy Subcommittee is about to hear HB 267, broad bill to ban trans participation in sports & to ban trans folks from using the correct restrooms & locker rooms which align with their gender.

We'll be live posting here.

Watch along: vimeo.com/showcase/898...

Honestly, “fuck” is one of the most nimble words in the English language. In addition to be a GREAT modifier of other words, it’s a verb, noun, adjective, adverb and interjection!

Thank you, @joshforgeorgia.bsky.social ! Bring the receipts. Georgians can read.

Photo featuring an embroidery hoop with texile divided into twelve sections for the months of the year and with a circle in the middle with the year, each section has many tiny embroidered representations to note particular personal experiences, events or happenings for the maker, such as a flag to represent a journey or a food to represent a festival

In 2021 textile artist Emma Dyer documented her year in embroidery #WomensArt

Spot on.

“This is not just political posturing—it is the groundwork for something far more dangerous, and something that transgender people are intent on resisting.”

Happy Valentine’s Day from my hometown 💕

🧵 NEWS: The GA State Senate Health & Human Services Committee is about to consider SB 30, a bill to block access to prescribed puberty-delaying medications and hormone therapy for transgender young people.

We'll be live-posting the hearing here!

Watch along at: vimeo.com/showcase/902...

A white graphic with the Georgia Equality trans pride logo at the top. Below reads, "We are disappointed by the Senate passage of SB 1 today, an expansive bill to ban transgender participation in all interscholastic and collegiate sports and to ban transgender athletes from using the correct restrooms and locker rooms. Sports serve to teach invaluable, lifelong lessons about teamwork, discipline and hard work. We firmly believe that every person deserves the opportunity to benefit from these invaluable life lessons. SB 1 would be bad for all girls, transgender or not. Anyone who loses can throw a tantrum, bring a lawsuit, or bully the champion— and girls could be accused of being transgender as a result, simply for being ‘too good’ at their sport. We are grateful to Senators Kim Jackson and Nan Orrock for both using their points of personal privilege today to advocate fiercely on behalf of young transgender Georgians and their families. Not only did the Senate vote to pass this divisive and discriminatory bill, but they also rejected two amendments: one attempted to narrow the bill’s broad scope, and one which would have improved gender equity in sports by enforcing equal funding, facilities, and resources for boys’ and girls’ sports. This move in particular makes it clear that SB 1 is not actually about fairness in girls’ sports as proponents claim; it’s about scoring political points at the expense of transgender youth. Our elected officials should be focused on setting up our schools to provide the best possible education and helping to improve the well-being of all students, not trying to advance a politically-motivated agenda that would single out and exclude an already vulnerable group of students. Georgians deserve better from their lawmakers. We will continue to firmly advocate against SB 1 as it now moves to the House of Representatives."

BREAKING: In a vote of 35-17, the GA State Senate voted to pass SB 1, an expansive bill to ban trans participation in all interscholastic and collegiate sports and to ban trans athletes from using the correct restrooms.

The bill now moves to the House for consideration.

Read our full statement:

After Trump's EO concerning federal funding and gender-affirming care for trans people under 19, we're hearing that some providers are limiting their ability to provide care for trans youth. We're so sorry this is happening & are here to help 🏳️‍⚧️ www.transyouthemergencyproject.org

In observance of Black History Month, Georgia Equality will be highlighting Black LGBTQ+ historical trailblazers. Up first is the inspiring poet and activist, Audre Lorde.

Did you miss today’s Senate hearing in the anti-trans SB 1? Read this excellent recap from Georgia Equality #gapol