LGBT Senior’s News on the Positive Side with Cora Berke
News on the PositiveSide
By Cora Berke
“Rights are won only by those who make their voices heard.”- Harvey Milk
The State of Georgia closed out their 2026 legislative session with a big win for the LGBTQ+ community. After a long night under the gold dome of Georgia’s Capitol Building in Atlanta, all of the proposed anti-LGBTQ+ bills were defeated.
Jeff Graham, Executive Director for Georiga Equality said, “Despite state leadership fixating on restricting LGBTQ+ rights as their core priority over the past years, we made it clear that scapegoating LGBTQ+ Georgians is not a winning political strategy.” He added that, “We could not be more excited to share that we did it! Thousands of Georgians from over 60 counties came together to successfully defeat each one.”
Georgia Equality was founded in 1995 and became the state’s largest advocacy organization in the State for the LGBTQ+ community. In 1998, Svannah formed their own chapter.
Since its inception, they have fought tirelessly for equal rights. This year, to defeat the proposed bills in the legislature, they made over 7,000 phone calls to constituents in all key districts. Georgia Equality also held advocacy training sessions and partner sponsored lobby events.
A total of 13 bills anti-LGBTQ+ bills were defeated; among them were Senate Bill 30, which would have restricted gender affirming care for transgender youth,Senate Bill 39, which sought to remove gender-affirming health care for state employees and Senate Bill 74 which would have made it a criminal offense for libarians to share LGBTQ+ books with minors.
Other proposed bills were stalled which restrict access to puberty blockers for youth and banning transgender students using locker rooms compatible with their gender identity.
Georgia Equality’s work is not done. They advocate for affordable housing and supportive health care for AIDS/HIV patients. The legislature extended their Medicaid expansion program through 2026 and passed a bill allowing pharmacists to prescribe HIV prevention drugs. A total of 18 bills passed in support of affordable housing and healthcare access.
Noel Heatherland, the organizing manager for Georgia Equality said, “Victory is a great feeling. Thank you to everyone who worked with us to protect LGBTQ+ people during this session.”
Jeff Graham concluded, “Georgia Equality will continue to fight to ensure that all Georgians have the right to live and thrive in the state we call home.”
Not only in Georgia, but across the country tireless advocates are fighting for all the places they call home and will continue to do so in 2027.