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Kappa Theta Epsilon Sorority’s Beta Chapter presents PowHER Lunch ATL
/in Events, Kappa Theta Epsilon, News /by Kappa Theta EpsilonKappa Theta Epsilon Calls for Action in Response to Rising Anti-LGBT Violence
/in News /by Kappa Theta EpsilonATLANTA – Kaladaa Crowell. Brandi Mells. Shanta Myers. Kerrice Lewis. Kyra Inglett.
Shanise Myers. Jeremiah Myers. Seven lives – the future of four Black lesbian women and three
young children – ended tragically on December 28th, 2017.
These are the stories you don’t hear much about on the evening news; stories of lesbian-led families
snuffed out by senseless violence. Stories of promising young lives cut short with no explanation.
These three unrelated cases highlight an ever-present, but growing, problem in our community.
According to the annual study conducted by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs,
violent crime against the LGBT community is on a steep climb. Anti-LGBTQ homicides rose by
86% in 2017, with the significant majority of victims being young and black.
We are issuing a clarion call to our family, friends, and allies. No matter your romantic affections or
identity, please stand with us as we demand justice for LGBTQ victims of violent crime.
Raise your voice are we speak the names of those we have lost, and work toward prevention of future
tragedy. Let us insist that law enforcement accurately report the relationship of lesbian-identified
couples, so that statisticians and the media recognize the crisis of violence we currently face.
Every member of our society deserves the right to live in safety and peace.
Kappa Theta Epsilon is committed to ending this epidemic and helping our community thrive. By
memorializing those we’ve lost, requiring accurate representation of our stories in the media, and
lobbying for more effective hate crime prevention measures, we are working to make our nation a
safer place for all LGBTQIA people.
We encourage other LGBT sororities, fraternities and civic organizations to join our efforts by
developing programming that addresses these issues.
If you or your organization would like to partner in this effort, please contact Kappa
at hello@kappathetaepsilon.com. Let’s work together to end this violence and create a better future.
Please click here to read the Sorority’s official statement.
Kappa Theta Epsilon Calls for Action in Response to Increasing US Mass Shootings
/in News /by Kappa Theta EpsilonATLANTA – Countless lives changed forever yesterday, when a heavily armed young man barged into
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, about an hour northwest of Miami. Nikolas
Cruz, a 19-year-old who had been expelled from the school, opened fire on terrified students and teachers,
leaving 17 dead and five more fighting for their lives.
The Parkland shooting joins the Pulse nightclub shooting of 2016 among the ten most deadly in American
history.
These stories are all too common. The deaths of Americans in mass shootings – young and old, from
every race, socioeconomic background, and religion, are now commonplace in the news cycle.
According to the Washington Post, there were 146 mass shootings from 1966 to 2017. Recently, that total
has risen to 167. 1,065 people lost their lives in these tragedies; of those deaths, more than 150 of them
were children.
F.B.I. and news reports state there have been more than 40 “active shooter” episodes in schools since the
year 2000.
We are issuing a call to action to our family, friends, and allies. We ask that you join us and stand up for
legislative action to protect our communities from this senseless violence. Every member of our society
deserves the right to feel safe – whether at school, work, social events, or their place of worship.
Kappa Theta Epsilon is committed to ending this epidemic and helping our society thrive. We believe that
individual and group grassroots action can positively impact communities across the nation. Please take
action by:
– Memorializing those lives that were lost
– Advocating for improved and more accessible mental health treatment
– Promoting tolerance and anti-bullying programming in our education system
– Lobbying for effective gun control laws, including the prohibition of AR-15 type
weapons and gun stops
We encourage other LGBT sororities, fraternities and civic organizations to join our efforts by developing
programming that addresses these issues.
Please click here to read the Sorority’s official statement.
Kappa Theta Epsilon Mobilizes to Help Louisiana Flood Victims
/in Kappa Theta Epsilon, News /by Kappa Theta EpsilonKappa Theta Epsilon Sorority Expresses Support and Condolences to the Family of Alton Sterling
/in News /by Kappa Theta EpsilonATLANTA – The National Office of Kappa Theta Epsilon Sorority, Incorporated joins our Founder in expressing our heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Alton Sterling, a 37-year old Baton Rouge, LA resident killed in an exchange with police in the early morning hours of July 5th, 2016.
The Sorority has expressed our hopes for an independent Federal investigation of the circumstances that led to Mr. Sterling’s death.
This morning, our Founder released a heartfelt letter encouraging the family to stay strong, and sharing our hopes for more effective engagement between law enforcement and the people of Baton Rouge moving forward.
Sorors, friends and Sorority supporters wishing to reach out to the Baton Rouge Police Department and the Office of the Mayor may contact the Sorority directly for resources.
Kappa Theta Epsilon Sorority Expresses Condolences Over Mass Shooting at Pulse Nightclub
/in Kappa Theta Epsilon, News /by Kappa Theta EpsilonATLANTA – The National Office of Kappa Theta Epsilon Sorority, Inc. joins our entire membership in offering our deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in the Pulse nightclub shooting.
We are saddened to learn that more than 100 people fell victim to this violent hate crime. Members of our community have long fought for equality, civil liberty and the right to live proudly, without fear.
Though we have made immense strides as a community over the last several years, this terrible act is an unfortunate reminder of how far we have left to go, and the importance of continued education and community solidarity.
We ask all Sorority members, supporters and friends to honor the lives of those directly affected by creating safe spaces for open dialogue amongst each other and the larger community.
In order to ensure effective care for injured victims, we ask all members of the Sorority and other LBGTQ-focused civic organizations in Orlando and the surrounding areas to give blood, and donate any time and resources available to assist in their recovery. We must stand together during this unfortunate time and help Orlando overcome it.
As an organization committed to education and social change, Kappa Theta Epsilon intends to continue its work to inform the public of the significant challenges still faced by the LGBTQ community. Our hearts are with the fallen of Orlando, and we are committed to honoring them with our continued service.
Please read the official press statement here.
Kappa Theta Epsilon Applauds Overturning of Mississippi Same Sex Adoption Ban
/in Kappa Theta Epsilon, News /by Kappa Theta EpsilonATLANTA – The National Office of Kappa Theta Epsilon Sorority, Inc. released a statement today on behalf of the social service organization’s membership in response to U.S. District Court Judge Daniel P. Jordan III’s decision to strike down the state of Mississippi’s same-sex adoption ban last Thursday:
“The members of Kappa Theta Epsilon are pleased to learn of the Campaign for Southern Equality’s victory in U.S. District Court. We believe that all children deserve the love and support of a positive, affirming home environment. Judge Jordan’s decision clears the way for Mississippi same-gender couples to open their homes and offer such a space to children in need.
The Sorority hopes to learn that Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant will be as fair in his decision regarding HB 1523. The bill, currently on the Governor’s desk, allows private citizens and organizations to refuse service to a variety of constituencies on religious grounds.
We ask all Sorority supporters, other LGBTQ civic organizations and proponents for equality in Mississippi to make their voices heard by calling, writing and emailing Governor Bryant’s office. It is our hope that, after such a historic ruling supporting fairness for all families, open discrimination will not become a part of Mississippi’s political tapestry in 2016.”
Please read the official press release here.
TARGET: Social Impact & Policy Awareness
INITIATIVE: #MoreThanMarriage
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For more information on how you can become involved with social impact and public policy in your area, contact the Sorority at http://KappaThetaEpsilon.com/contact.
Kappa Theta Epsilon Supports the Vetoing of Georgia HB 757
/in Kappa Theta Epsilon, News /by Kappa Theta EpsilonKappa Theta Epsilon Sorority, Incorporated is pleased to learn that Governor Nathan Deal has chosen to veto GA House Bill 757.
The controversial piece of proposed legislation, named the First Amendment Defense Act, was passed by the state legislature in February and made it to the Governor’s desk amid strong opposition from the civic and business communities.
FADA was a legislative attempt to codify into GA law similar protections to those included in the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) which was declared unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court in 1997.
The legislation would give legal protection to any ministerial staff, clergy or “faith based organizations” to refuse services “that violate such faith based organization’s sincerely held religious belief.”
That means that faith-based organizations could refuse to “rent, lease, or otherwise grant permission for property to be used by another person for an event which is objectionable to such faith based organization.” The definition of “faith-based organization” is broad enough to include several Georgia universities, and local businesses owned by religious organizations.
We salute the state legislators and business community who stood with our constituency to see this legislation defeated. Though the war isn’t yet won, this is a decided victory for Georgians.
Read the Sorority’s official press release.
Read Gov. Deal’s remarks on HB 757 here.
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TARGET: Social Impact & Policy Awareness
INITIATIVE: #MoreThanMarriage
About Kappa Theta Epsilon
Kappa Theta Epsilon is a social service Sorority committed to the personal and professional development of leaders in the LGBT community.
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