The event will be held on Saturday, September 19 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and will include various training sessions covering a wide-range of topics. The summit will serve as an opportunity for people from all over the state to learn how to better support their LGBT friends, family members, coworkers and fellow congregants. Community members and local activists will also have the opportunity to engage on the need to pass critical legal protections for LGBT Arkansas, and discuss the latest efforts to move LGBT equality forward in a post-marriage equality world.

“Arkansans are more engaged than ever before on issue of LGBT equality, and we’re excited to collaborate with folks from all over the Natural State on how we can make our home more inclusive to all,” said HRC Arkansas State Director Kendra R. Johnson. “This is the opportunity for us to share our stories and experiences, because as we’ve seen, when people get to know an LGBT person, they are more likely not only to treat us with dignity, but support our equal treatment under the law. We hope this gathering will be the first of many that can one day lead Arkansas to be a place that is fully inclusive to all.

An HRC survey last year showed that LGBT Arkansans are active participants in the respective communities. In addition 58 percent of LGBT people participating in the study have called Arkansas home for more than 20 years and 9 percent have served, or are serving, in the armed forced. More than half of respondents volunteer in their communities, and 60 percent donate money to charitable groups and nonprofits.

HRC Arkansas is working to advance equality for LGBT Arkansans who have no state level protections in housing, workplace, or public accommodations. Through HRC Arkansas, we are working toward a future of fairness every day—changing hearts, minds and laws toward achieving full equality.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. HRC envisions a world where LGBT people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

###