The Center for Equality

The Center for Equality
Abbreviation CFE, The Center
Founded 2000 (2000)[1]
Type Non-profit
Focus Advocating for LGBT rights, providing LGBT resources
Headquarters Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S.
Area served
South Dakota
Method Fundraising, events
President
 Thomas Christiansen
Vice President
 Brienne Maner
Treasurer
 Billy Mawhiney
Mission To protect and support the rights and well being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender South Dakotans and their families[2]
Website thecenterforequality.org

The Center for Equality (CFE), locally referred to as The Center, is a Sioux Falls-based non-profit organization that advocates for LGBT rights in South Dakota and provides resources for LGBT people and their allies. One of the largest and few LGBT rights organizations in South Dakota, it is completely volunteer-based. The Center hosts several fundraisers and events, such as the annual Sioux Falls Pride Parade and the AIDS Benevolence Fund.[3] It is also a member of CenterLink.[1] The Center also offers the CFE Youth Scholarship.

In 2016, three transgender representatives from The Center met with South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard regarding South Dakota House Bill 1008.[4] The Center has also supported other LGBT legislation in recent years.

Mission

The Center states their mission is "to protect and support the rights and well being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender South Dakotans and their families."[2] The Center advocates for LGBT rights throughout South Dakota, provides resources, and reaches out to LGBT youth in the region. They also aim to raise awareness, safety, education, and visibility in the state for the community.[5]

The Center is also active in supporting the HIV/AIDS community and provides resources on HIV/AIDS, including information on local testing centers.

Activism and events

The Center hosts South Dakota's largest pride parade the annual Sioux Falls Pride Parade.[5] They also host fundraisers for LGBT- and AIDS-related causes, such as the AIDS Benevolence Fund.[3] The organization also hosts The T, a monthly support group for transgender individuals.

The Center expressed concern regarding the passage of South Dakota House Bill 1008 in February 2016. After the bill was passed in the state legislature, representatives for The Center traveled to the State Capitol Building to rally against the bill.[6] The Center also sent South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard a letter requesting a meeting in Pierre.[7] Daugaard accepted and met with three transgender representatives from The Center, two of whom were students. Daugaard later said the meeting "helped (him) see things through their eyes".[4]

In May 2016, The Center also backed the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Justice's decision to request Sioux Falls schools allow transgender students to use facilities that corresponded to their gender identity.[8] A proposed Sioux Falls anti-discrimination ordinance also received support from The Center.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 "The Center for Equality". CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers. CenterLink. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Mission & Goals". The Center for Equality. The Center for Equality. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  3. 1 2 "The Center For Equality". Downtown Sioux Falls. Downtown Sioux Falls. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  4. 1 2 Ferguson, Dana (February 23, 2016). "Gov: Transgender meeting 'helped me see things through their eyes'". Argus Leader. Gannett Company. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  5. 1 2 Mallory, Brady (January 15, 2015). "Center For Equality: Planning The Future, Changing The Present For LGBT Community". Keloland Television. Young Broadcasting of Sioux Falls. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  6. ↑ Richardson, Bradford (March 1, 2016). "GOP governor shocks conservatives, vetoes transgender bathroom bill". The Washington Times. The Washington Times, LLC. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  7. ↑ "The Center for Equality Sends Governor Daugaard a Letter". KSFY. KSFY. February 16, 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  8. ↑ Raposa, Megan (May 13, 2016). "Transgender Bathroom Letter Won't Change S.F. Policy". Argus Leader. Gannett Company. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  9. ↑ Smith, Kelley (May 24, 2016). "City plans to withdraw anti-discrimination ordinance". KSFY. KSFY. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
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