Sioux Falls Pride

Sioux Falls Pride
Abbreviation SFP
Founded 2000 (2000)[1]
Type Non-profit
Focus Advocating for LGBT rights, providing LGBT resources
Headquarters Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S.
Area served
South Dakota
Method Fundraising, events
President
 Quinn Kathner
Vice President
 Todd Kruse
Website siouxfallspride.org
Formerly called
 The Center for Equality

Sioux Falls Pride, formerly The Center for Equality (CFE), is a non-profit organization in Sioux Falls, South Dakota that advocates for LGBT rights in South Dakota and provides resources for LGBT people and their allies. One of the largest of the few LGBT rights organizations in South Dakota, it is completely volunteer-based. Sioux Falls Pride plans and hosts the annual Pride events each June along with other events supporting the local LGBTQ+ community.

Mission

Former logo as The Center for Equality

Sioux Falls Pride first took place in mid-2000 and was then hosted by the Center for Equality in Sioux Falls. The Center for Equality, now just known as Sioux Falls Pride; was the leading LGBT focused non-profit organization that provided services, support and advocated for the LGBT community of Sioux Falls and surrounding areas. In addition to community services, the Center for Equality also worked alongside organizations like the ACLU of South Dakota to defeat anti-LGBT legislation like HB 1008 which targeted transgender youth in South Dakota.

Activism and events

SFP expressed concern regarding the passage of South Dakota House Bill 1008 in February 2016. After the bill was passed in the state legislature, representatives for SFP traveled to the State Capitol Building to rally against the bill.[2] SFP also sent South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard a letter requesting a meeting in Pierre.[3] Daugaard accepted and met with three transgender representatives from The Center, two of whom were students. Daugaard later said the meeting "helped (him) see things through their eyes".[4]

In May 2016, SFP also backed the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Justice's decision to request Sioux Falls schools allow transgender students to use facilities that corresponded to their gender identity.[5] A proposed Sioux Falls anti-discrimination ordinance also received support from The Center.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "The Center for Equality". CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers. CenterLink. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  2. ↑ Richardson, Bradford (March 1, 2016). "GOP governor shocks conservatives, vetoes transgender bathroom bill". The Washington Times. The Washington Times, LLC. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  3. ↑ "The Center for Equality Sends Governor Daugaard a Letter". KSFY. KSFY. February 16, 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  4. ↑ Ferguson, Dana (February 23, 2016). "Gov: Transgender meeting 'helped me see things through their eyes'". Argus Leader. Gannett Company. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  5. ↑ Raposa, Megan (May 13, 2016). "Transgender Bathroom Letter Won't Change S.F. Policy". Argus Leader. Gannett Company. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  6. ↑ Smith, Kelley (May 24, 2016). "City plans to withdraw anti-discrimination ordinance". KSFY. KSFY. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  7. "The Center For Equality". Downtown Sioux Falls. Downtown Sioux Falls. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  8. Mallory, Brady (January 15, 2015). "Center For Equality: Planning The Future, Changing The Present For LGBT Community". Keloland Television. Young Broadcasting of Sioux Falls. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  9. "Mission & Goals".
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