OutFront Minnesota Executive Director Monica Meyer and Policy & Outreach Director James Darville join Matt to discuss the state of LGBTQ rights in Minnesota and beyond.
HOW TO HELP:
- Contact your member of Congress and tell them to support the Equality Act.
- Find anti-trans legislation being considered in your state and then contact your state legislators: https://freedomforallamericans.org/legislative-tracker/anti-transgender-legislation/
- To get involved with OutFront Minnesota visit www.outfront.org.
- To learn about state-based LGBTQ rights organizations outside Minnesota visit www.equalityfederation.org.
LEARN MORE:
- More about “conversion therapy” here.
- State-based LGBTQ rights organizations outside Minnesota can be found here.
Executive Director Monica Meyer has been leading organizing, activism and policy advocacy on behalf of issues of equity and justice since 1992. She joined the staff of OutFront Minnesota as Public Policy Director in 2001 and became Executive Director in 2010. Some of her recent recognition include the Humphrey Institute’s Public Leadership Award, the Lynx’s Inspiring Women Award, the Charlotte Striebel Long Distance Runner Award from MN NOW and the MN School Social Work Association’s Friend of Social Work Award. Monica received her master’s degree in public policy from the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota, and her undergraduate degree from Hamline University. Monica is currently a board member with TakeAction Minnesota and the co-chair of the Equality Federation. She is constantly inspired by courageous people she meets who work tirelessly for LGBTQ equity and racial and gender justice.
James Darville joined the Policy and Organizing Team as our LGBTQ+ Voter Outreach Manager in March of 2020. James will be working with Queer Communities and Communities of Color to register folks to vote throughout the state of Minnesota.
Raised in North Carolina, James attended North Dakota State University and studied Strategic Communication. After graduation, James worked as a cheesemonger before getting hired as the Grassroots Organizer for Planned Parenthood in North Dakota. In that position, he helped run election campaigns throughout the state, collected stories from queer folks, and organized groups at college campuses across the state. Moving to Saint Paul, he was hired to be the Coordinator of Volunteer Programs for Planned Parenthood North Central States. He organized and oversaw all volunteer programs across five states. He is excited to continue his work building progressive communities and advocating for reproductive justice and queer liberation at OutFront.
In his free time James loves concerts, throwing cheese parties, and a really good cocktail.
Fun Facts about James:
·I am an avid hiker and camper.
·I am allergic to cardboard boxes.
·My favorite cheese is Quattro Latti, a cheese made from four different types of milk: cow, goat, sheep, and donkey
mattymakesmerry.com 