JACKSON-- Today, HRC Mississippi strongly commends the courageous, bold and fearless comments penned in an op-ed by civil rights icon, Julian Bond. In today’s Clarion Ledger, Bond implored Mississippians to “begin right now” to make sure LGBT people have equal protections, safer spaces and more inclusive communities across the state.  HRC Mississippi affirms its commitment to live and breathe Bond’s words to ensure LGBT Mississippians have the equal rights, protections and opportunities they deserve.

“Hours before the Supreme Court decided to take on marriage equality cases, violent graffiti that called for the deaths of LGBT Americans was found on the wall of a downtown Jackson building,” said Bond, chairman emeritus of the NAACP, in the op-ed. “On the same Tuesday night President Obama called marriage a civil right for the very first time and referenced lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in his State of the Union address, the Starkville Board of Alderman callously repealed a LGBT-inclusive resolution that had served to welcome and affirm all Starkville residents, and took away their health benefits in one fell legislative swoop.“

According to a 2014 HRC survey in Mississippi, 57 percent of LGBT respondents have called Mississippi home for more than 20 years. However, almost half have experienced harassment in public establishments; more than one in five have experienced harassment monthly or more at their respective houses of worship; and almost half have experienced harassment at school. Through HRC Mississippi, we are working toward a future of fairness every day—changing hearts, minds and laws toward achieving full equality.

“This piece shows why equality is needed in the Magnolia State for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” said HRC Mississippi State Director Rob Hill.

HRC Mississippi is working to advance equality for LGBT Mississippians who have no state or municipal level protections in housing, workplace, or public accommodations; legal state recognition for their relationships and families; state rights to jointly adopt children; and state protections from hate crimes.