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Issues

Equality South Dakota Issues focus around the goals that were established at EqSD's conception meeting. These are:

Add sexual orientation & gender identity to any existing nondiscrimination policy and law.

Wells Fargo, 3M, Citigroup and J.C. Penney are some of the major corporations that have offices/businesses in South Dakota. These corporations have sexual orientation in their employment non-discrimination policy.

The State Board of Regents policy covers all students, faculty and staff at all of South Dakota's universities. The City of Brookings and Minnehaha County have sexual orientation in their policies.

EqSD will be identifying other businesses and governmental entities that offer employment protection and will be working to add employment protection where it does not exist.

Elect LGBT or LGBT-supportive candidates to public office.

The Equality South Dakota Political Action Committee will be recruiting candidates who are good on LGBT issues and who will be good leaders for South Dakota. EqSD PAC will be holding candidate training seminars to train these candidates and their staff and volunteers.

EqSD PAC is in the process of fund-raising and will distribute the funds to a number of targeted, LGBT-friendly legislative and local candidates.

Move a majority of faith based institutions to become "open and affirming" of LGBT people.

The first step in this process is to build communication channels and community within the State. Two main efforts are underway:

1. Building of an initial network of people of faith around the state that are willing to speak and work for acceptance and inclusion of LGBT persons in the life of their congregations. The Equality South Dakota website allows members to record their religious affiliations. All are encouraged to setup an account and indicate this information in their profile.
2. Web sites for various LGBT supportive faith-based organizations have been researched and added to the EqSD website. EqSD is seeking out local contacts for these organizations (including Integrity, Dignity, Lutherans Concerned etc.) so they can be included in our network.