Jackson MS Hosts USDA #RuralPride

(Jackson, MS, August 4, 2015)—The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) will host the next #RuralPride summit in Jackson, Mississippi, on August 14. The event, co-hosted by the True Colors Fund and Equality Mississippi, will be held at Millsaps College, 1701 N State Street, Jackson, MS 39202, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

#RuralPride is a series of summits across the country to elevate the voices of LGBT people and families in rural communities, explore how these communities are particularly vulnerable, and discuss proposed and enacted federal policy changes that can increase equality and access for rural LGBT people and their families.

The speakers for the Jackson #RuralPride summit include: Bear Atwood, Attorney At Law, PLLC; Ashlee Davis, Director, LGBT Rural Summit, USDA; Charles Irvin, Legal Director, ACLU of Mississippi; Reilley Morse, President/CEO, Mississippi Center for Justice;  Jennifer Riley-Collins, Executive Director of ACLU of Mississippi; and Ming Wong, Supervising Helpline Attorney, NCLR.

The #RuralPride summits center on LGBT experiences in rural America, including increased rates of economic insecurity, lack of family and nondiscrimination protections, the relationship between LGBT and faith communities, and the heightened challenges facing rural LGBT youth and rural LGBT people of color.

The #RuralPride summit series is a partnership between NCLR and USDA that challenges the stereotype that LGBT people only live in metropolitan areas by raising awareness of the particular issues faced by LGBT rural communities.

This event is free and open to the public. Register here.

Learn more about #RuralPride.

The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the human and civil rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. www.NCLRights.org