Here are the advocacy goals we have set for 2011:

City and County Anti-Discrimination Policies:

We have seen promise of a more cordial and productive relationship with our current Pensacola City Council and Escambia County Commission.  We believe that making sure all city and county anti-discrimination policies include sexual orientation and gender identity/expression should be our first project as it will have the broadest reach and will set a foundation that all future initiatives can be built upon.

County-Wide Gay Straight Alliances:

The recent rash of anti-gay bullying has demonstrated more than ever the need for GSA clubs. Until recently, the Escambia County School Board has had policies and/or practices that thwarted all attempts to establish these clubs.  Realizing an important opening in their obstructive measures we are now moving forward with enlisting adults who would like to be a sponsor for an individual

Homelessness Among LGBT Youth:

It's estimated that between 20 and 40 percent of all homeless youth identify as LGBT.  The Shelter and foster care systems often exclude them or perpetuate violence and stigma against them.  The housing crisis and increasing stress on families means more LGBT youth are likely to be seeking shelter in our local area.  We are currently investigating three avenues:  a method of ensuring potential LGBT affirming host families and LGBT youth are included in existing placement programs--creating a new independent placement program, and long-term planning for establishing a full-time safe shelter facility.

Adoption and Marriage Equality: