There's no doubt Gov. Nathan Deal is far from a friend to LGBT people. He ran one of the most — if not the most — anti-gay campaign in the state's history.
His homophobia reared its ugly head again on the International Day Against Homophobia, recognized in Atlanta and around the world on May 17.
Homophobic attitudes don’t just hurt feelings. They also have a direct impact on LGBT health.
“The stigma and discrimination that the LGBT community faces is a primary factor in the health disparities that affect our community,” says Hector Vargas, executive director of the national Gay & Lesbian Medical Association.”
Access to quality healthcare is a key issue.
“One of our surveys shows that LGB people delay seeking medical care at almost twice the rate of the heterosexual population,” Vargas says.
It’s the second annual Pride Week at Spelman College sponsored by the college’s LGBT organization Afrekete — “Atlanta University Center’s single organization for lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender, queer, questioning women, and our sister allies.”
Joining in on the programming with Afrekete are the men of Morehouse College's Safe Space program as the two organizations work to address homophobia and debunk stereotypes at the historically black colleges.
Today at 6:30 p.m. Spelman hosts a panel discussion titled, “Homophobia: An International Perspective.”