The event will be held on Saturday, August 29 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Downtown Jackson, and will include various training sessions covering a wide-range of topics in addition to a panel discussion. 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, local activists and legislators will also have the opportunity to engage on the need to pass critical legal protections for LGBT Mississippians, and discuss the latest efforts to move LGBT equality forward in a post-marriage equality world. The event is closed to press.

“As a nation, we’ve seen some incredible progress these past few months, but there’s still a tremendous amount of work left to do,” said HRC Mississippi State Director Rob Hill.  “Advancing equality and changing hearts and minds is only possible when we consistently share our stories and talk about the lived experiences of LGBT Mississippians. We know and we’ve seen first-hand that when people get to know a LGBT person, they are more likely to respect our dignity and support our equal treatment under the law. It is vital that we collaborate at gatherings such as these so that one day, every corner of the Magnolia State will be inclusive to all.”

A HRC survey last year showed that LGBT Mississippians are active participants in their respective communities. In addition, 57 percent of LGBT people participating in the study have called Mississippi home for more than 20 years, and 10 percent have served, or are serving, in the armed forces. Additionally, more than half of respondents volunteer in their communities, and 60 percent donate money to charitable groups and nonprofits.

HRC Mississippi is working to advance equality for LGBT Mississippians who have no statewide protections in housing, workplace, or public accommodations. Through HRC Mississippi, we are working toward a future of fairness every day - changing hearts, minds and law towards 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.

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