The University of Georgia's University Council approved domestic partner benefits for employees yesterday, but the measure now goes to UGA President Michael Adams and implementation is far from assured.
Adams told the Athens Banner-Herald he wants to respond to the issue by the end of the academic year, but he needs to talk with the state Board of Regents, attorneys and financial advisers.
UGA University Council approves domestic partner benefits; next stop, President Michael Adams
The executive committee of the University of Georgia’s University Council has voted to approve the wording of a resolution asking President Michael Adams to implement domestic partnership benefits for university faculty and staff.
The proposal, approved by the committee Sept. 13, asks for a “benefits package for eligible employees with domestic partners that matches the benefits and premiums that are currently being granted to employees with spouses.”
Overnight temperatures in the 50s gave way to a sunny, comfortable setting for Athens’ Pride Picnic, held Sunday, Sept. 9 at Lake Herrick Pavillion.
The picnic has been held each year since 1998. Before 2011, Athens Pride was limited to a cookout in April. The full Athens Pride weekend in its current form took shape last year.
For 2012, Athens Pride events ranged from a reception hosted by GLOBES, the University of Georgia’s LGBT faculty/staff group, to bowling, an artist showcase, nightlife parties, a church service and a commitment ceremony.
Organizers behind the 2nd annual Athens Pride Weekend hope to expand on last year’s success by adding several additional events, including bowling and a community artist showcase.
2011 was the first year that Athens celebrated Pride outside of the spring.
Several additional events have been added to this year’s calendar, says Ricky Roberts, Athens Pride treasurer.
The biggest challenge of adding events, Roberts says, is finding local venues that are willing to donate their space for little or no cost. All of this year’s events come with a $5 suggested donation, but Roberts says that no one will be turned away if they can’t afford to donate.
Organizers behind the annual Athens Pride festival have announced details of this fall's upcoming event.
This year's festival will be held Sept. 6-9. Last year was the first year that Athens celebrated Pride outside of the spring.
Organizers wanted to move the festival to the fall to get students out and mixed into the community at the beginning of the school year.
The festival unofficially kicks off with a pre-Pride happy hour at The Go Bar from 8-10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31.
Gay rights activists in Athens are signing on to participate in this weekend's Worldwide LGBT Civil Rights marches, joining dozens of cities from across the country -- and world -- in an effort to raise awareness of ongoing LGBT issues.
The march is being organized by Athens Pride and GLOBES, the University of Georgia LGBT faculty organization, Our Hope MCC, Amnesty International at UGA, Lambda Alliance and sapph.fire.
Organizers hope to kick off the march from Lay Park to the famed UGA arch at noon. Speakers for the event include Athens Mayor Nancy Denson, Athens Pride chair Mike Chadwick and congressional candidate Tim Riley.
Over the course of several days last week, hundreds of Athens, Ga., residents turned out for the first Athens Pride to take place in the fall.
“It was always just the picnic before, and I always felt — even though they were nice and you got to mingle — we were still hidden,” said Mike Chadwick, chair of Athens Pride this year. “By doing the events downtown I think we got a lot more participation. I was thrilled at the group there on Friday night at Dragaoke.”
The first annual Athens Pride Weekend spanned Sept. 22-25. In addition to the annual picnic, this year the Pride celebration also included a silent auction to benefit the Georgia Safe Schools Coalition, Dragaoke, a dance, a “Celebration of Commitment” ceremony and other activities.
Athens Pride and the University of Georgia's LGBT faculty/staff organization, GLOBES, recently announced the 14th annual Athens Pride Picnic and Potluck will be held Saturday, May 1.
The picnic will be held at Lake Herrick Pavilion in the UGA Intramural Fields near the Ramsey Student Center from 1-4 p.m.
According to organizers, the picnic celebrates the university’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning staff, faculty, and students and allies.
The public is invited. Organizers ask that participants bring a potluck dish (no glassware) to the festivities.