The video essay is part of HRC’s Project One America campaign to advance equality in Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas

Today, the Human Rights Campaign released a video showcasing the experiences of Southern lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and their families. The video essay is one component of the organization’s Project One America program.         

“People love their Southern roots, their families and they don’t want to leave their homes. So they are choosing to boldly speak out to effect change,” said Brad Clark, director of Project One America. “The interviews in this video are a courageous testament to the strength of LGBT people in the South.”

In April 2014, media consulting firm Putnam Partners shot, edited, and produced the video. The video captures testimonies of LGBT people in Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas, sharing stories of discrimination as well as hope and aspiration living and working in the South.

Participants in each of the ten stories represent various backgrounds and detail real-life issues related to growing up, raising families, and working in the South, while identifying as LGBT. 

“These stories paint a picture of what life is like when our friends and neighbors have no protections from discrimination," said Clark.

Project One America is an unprecedented effort to dramatically expand LGBT equality in Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas. HRC is making a deep and lasting $8.5 million investment concentrated in these three states.

The community-based program focuses on building lasting LGBT presence and infrastructure. A full time local staff and dedicated office space will support this effort. HRC is committed to Project One America for the long haul.

Funding for LGBT advocacy in the South has trailed other parts of the country traditionally. According to a report by Funders for LGBTQ Issues, in 2011-2012, grant funding for LGBT advancement and advocacy totaled $10.10 per LGBT adult in the Northeast. That number was only $1.71 per LGBT adult in the South.  HRC is working to change that reality.

For details on Project One America, visit www.hrc.org/campaigns/project-one-america

To view video, click here.