October Action Sheet
Local
AMY Burnsville Library Updates
In the last two meetings the county commissioners appointed new members to both the local advisory and AMY regional library boards. These new members, which include head commissioner Jeff Whitson himself, are all sympathetic to the aims of censorship and exclusion. They now constitute the majority of the board.
Read more here: https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2023/09/12/yancey-appoints-7-library-board-members-in-response-to-pride-display/70831538007/
The annual board meeting of the Yancey County Public Library Advisory Board will be held at Yancey County Public Library tomorrow, Thursday, October 12 at 5:30pm. There is no space for public comment at this meeting, but a good show of support will be helpful.
Access the agenda here: http://www.amyregionallibrary.org/yancey-county-board-meeting/
Youth OUTright
Sign up for their newsletter to get regular updates, complete with many queer-friendly events and resources!
Sign up for their online queer-friendly youth programming (for your youths!)
Check out their resources focused on youth safety and mental health, particularly during what could be a challenging school year:
Youth Safety Plan: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFs1wCvrt8/pZzT4eAnitTf_v_70URjWA/view?mc_cid=8b997650be&mc_eid=5d69ba55b3#1
School Support Plan: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFq5S8uLKc/qPV532C2j7oOEdI1JPNkjg/view?mc_cid=8b997650be&mc_eid=5d69ba55b3#1
Support the Direct Youth Payment Program
This program provides immediate emergency funds for queer youth, prioritizing folks who are currently experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, are in danger of losing basic necessities, or suffering other major economic challenges. Donate to YouthOUTright to support this fund: https://www.youthoutright.org/donate
Tranzmission Project
Book Packing Party at Different Wrld in West Asheville, Sunday October 15th from 12 to 2PM
Help wrap and address packages to help Tranzmission Project get free books to LGBTQ folks behind bars. Feel free to bring paper bags and book donations!
Check out their resource page for trans and non-binary folks:
Sign up for updates and check out other programs on their website:
Asheville Racial Justice Coalition
Reparations Update
RJC is putting pressure on city and county government to reaffirm their commitment to paying reparations in light of their recent reluctance to specify Black people as the intended recipients of these payments.
Check out the full update and support the campaign here:
Asheville Tool Library
The Asheville Tool Library is a volunteer-powered, membership-based nonprofit that shares its tools and resources and offers educational opportunities to the Community of Western North Carolina.
Check out their inventory here: https://ashevilletoollibrary.org/tool-inventory/
Volunteer training nights are the second Thursdays of the month from 6-8pm. The next one is tomorrow (Oct 12)!
Get more info here: https://ashevilletoollibrary.org/volunteer/
State
State Legislature Strips Environmental Protections
State legislators overrode vetoes of HB600 and SB678, two regulatory reform bills that will among other things gut protections on local waterways, ease regulations of livestock-waste disposal, and speed up the construction of the contentious Mountain Valley Pipeline.
Southern Equality Resources/Actions
Southern Equality has a great guide to legal resources for Trans folks specific to North Carolina (and other states as well!)
Check it out here: https://southernequality.org/legal-resources/north-carolina/
Take action against SB49 (the recently passed Don’t Say Gay etc. schools bill) and request a “Determination of Title IX Compliance”
A federal law called Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in any school that receives federal funds.
Read more here: https://southernequality.org/titleixdetermination/
