This week at Equality Ohio, I’ve been finishing up LGBTQ+ sensitivity training that can be used for shelters and drop-in centers. Moving onto other tasks, I’ve been making myself available to learn all that I can while I’m here. As a non-profit nerd, I was able to attend a training on how to bulk upload data into Every Action which is a non-profit CRM (customer relationship management) platform. A huge shout-out to my fellow intern pal, Liz, who put it all together for us. If you have ever signed in support of a bill, an organization or just a mailing list then you very well may be in this system. It is the most effective way for non-profits to keep track of voters, supporters, and donors.

If I learned anything from data entry, it is that people have terrible handwriting. If you have ever scribbled your name or email on a sign-up sheet, just know you have caused someone stress. Your support is important to non-profit organizations – so make sure they can read that support! This really echoes the rhetoric that was used in the 2016 election for voter mobilization. People too often think that their voice is not heard amidst the crowd but when I’m sitting here at my desk entering signatures, that is the only voice that I hear. There is a point to all that we do as voters, organizers and citizens and if I could spend the rest of my life working to tell people why their voice matters, I’d do just that.

In the office with Beth, our wonderful legal fellow (and my new best friend).

My current work with Equality Ohio has me thinking more about the 2018 elections. Equality Ohio does not specifically endorse candidates but it also seems that LGBTQ+ rights are not at the forefront of current politicians minds. Ohio still does not have a statewide anti-discrimination law, making it perfectly legal for someone to be fired on the basis of their gender identity of sexual orientation. Several places in Ohio do have these protections but that only makes up about twenty-one percent of the state. I wonder if those casting a vote this election season will understand the weight it holds, the effect it has on my life, and how it will affect the future of so many.

There just really isn’t enough iced coffee for all of this.