Sutherland Institute Annual Gala promises to be an unforgettable night
SALT LAKE CITY — Sutherland Institute's annual gala will take place this evening. Arthur Brooks, American Enterprise Institute president, will keynote. Guests will also be treated to a performance from singer/songwriter Loren Allred, the voice behind the hit song “Never Enough” from the motion picture The Greatest Showman.
Please join us as we present the Sutherland New Birth of Freedom award to three Americans whose lives serve to preserve and promote freedom. Recipients for 2018 are Maj. Gen. Jefferson S. Burton, adjutant general of the Utah National Guard; Tracie Sharp, president and CEO of the State Policy Network; and Greg Miller, NBA Governor, Board of Directors, Larry H. Miller Group of Companies.
“In the rich tradition of the Sutherland Annual Gala, we look forward to gathering and celebrating three great honorees,” said Rick Larsen, Sutherland CEO. “The 2018 New Birth of Freedom recipients are deserving, and each award presentation will be awe-inspiring. We are grateful to supportive sponsors, and too many leaders, presenters and elected officials to name, for making this event possible. Last but certainly not least, thank you to Arthur Brooks for making time to join his many friends and admirers in Utah in his final year at AEI. We look forward to this memorable evening.”
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to share AEI’s message with friends gathered in Utah to celebrate the Sutherland Institute’s annual gala,” Brooks said.
Attendees will be presented with Sutherland Institute’s newest publication, The Sun Is Still Rising: Politics Has Failed But America Will Not, written by nationally renowned pollster Scott Rasmussen, who will also be in attendance and will share brief remarks regarding societal trends and opinions going into the November midterms and beyond.
SUTHERLAND INSTITUTE 2018 ANNUAL GALA
A NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM
SPEAKERS, HONOREES & PERFORMING GUESTS:
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. MDT
*A reception will begin at 6 p.m., prior to the dinner*
WHERE: Grand Ballroom, Grand America Hotel, 555 Main St., Salt Lake City
For more information, to RSVP, or to schedule an interview:
Kelsey Witt | Communications Director
kelsey@sifreedom.org
c: 801.497.1562 (text or call) o: 801.355.1272 ext. 115
www.sutherlandinstitute.org
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State of LGBTQ Equality in Eight Utah Cities Detailed in HRC’s 7th Edition of the Municipal Equality Index
Many municipalities extend vital protections to their LGBTQ citizens and visitors
WASHINGTON -- Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, in partnership with the Equality Federation Institute, released its seventh annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI), assessing LGBTQ equality in 506 cities across the nation, including eight in Utah.
The 2017 Municipal Equality Index, the only nationwide rating system of LGBTQ inclusion in municipal law and policy, shows that cities across the country, including in Utah, continue to take the lead in supporting LGBTQ people and workers -- even in the face of renewed attacks this year on the LGBTQ community by federal and state officials.
For LGBTQ Americans, legal protections and benefits vary widely depending on location -- states and cities have markedly different laws governing discrimination. 21 states have non-discrimination laws that include protections for LGBTQ people in employment, and 20 states have laws that protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in places of public accommodation. But cities are leading the way: since the MEI’s debut in 2012, the number of cities earning perfect scores has increased more than sevenfold, and today at least 25 million people live in cities that have more comprehensive, transgender-inclusive non-discrimination laws than their state.
The average score for cities in Utah is 44 out of 100 points, which falls below the national average of 58.
Logan
Utah
46
Ogden City
Utah
56
Orem
Utah
20
Park City
Utah
35
Provo
Utah
48
Salt Lake City
Utah
66
West Jordan
Utah
34
West Valley City
Utah
46
“From San Antonio, Texas to Brookings, South Dakota -- this year’s MEI again proves that there are no barriers to municipal LGBTQ equality for a city with dedicated, pro-equality elected officials,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Forward-looking leaders across the U.S. are stepping up, protecting their youth from so-called ‘conversion therapy,’ increasing anti-bullying protections, ensuring transgender city employees have access to inclusive health care benefits and protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination in all areas of life. As we approach one of the most critical elections of our lifetimes, it is incumbent on all of us to make sure that we help elect more leaders across the nation who share this uncompromising commitment to equality for all.”
“In this political moment, as we face unprecedented challenges to fairness, justice, and democracy at the federal level, we look to local leadership to advance equality for the LGBTQ community,” said Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director of the Equality Federation Institute. “Equality Federation is committed to our partnership with HRC on the Municipal Equality Index because it sets a bar that most localities want to reach.”
Since the MEI’s debut in 2012, the number of cities earning perfect scores has increased by more than sevenfold, and today at least 25 million people live in cities that have more comprehensive, transgender-inclusive non-discrimination laws than their state.
Progress on transgender equality has been particularly noteworthy in cities across the U.S. this year, continuing a positive trend that the MEI has tracked -- and encouraged -- since 2012. Transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits are offered to employees of 147 municipalities this year -- up from 111 in 2017, 66 in 2015 and just five in 2012. The MEI’s Issue Brief on Transgender-Inclusive Health Benefits is available here.
Other key findings from the 2018 Municipal Equality Index include:
The MEI rated 506 cities including the 50 state capitals, the 200 largest cities in the United States, the five largest cities or municipalities in each state, the cities home to the state’s two largest public universities, 75 municipalities that have high proportions of same-sex couples and 98 cities selected by HRC and Equality Federation state group members and supporters. It assesses each city on 49 criteria covering citywide nondiscrimination protections, policies for municipal employees, city services, law enforcement, and city leadership’s relationship with the LGBTQ community. This year’s report also includes two new issue briefs for policymakers: Addressing the Unique Needs of LGBTQ Older People and Working Toward a Fully-Inclusive Municipal Workplace.
The full report, including detailed scorecards for every city, as well as a searchable database, is available online at www.hrc.org/mei.
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual,transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.
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In 2011, the United Nations declared today (October 11th) as International Day of the Girl. The mission of this day is to inspire worldwide enthusiasm for goals and initiatives that better girls’ lives, provide girls with opportunities to show leadership, and help girls reach their full potential.
Join us in celebrating
International Day of the Girl TODAY
At Athleta City Creek from 3-7 p.m.
Come in for shopping, activities, give-a-ways and refreshments. Also take our pledge to help change the narrative for our girls. #LetsTellHer her voice is powerful, brave and important.
Our amazing sponsor ZenZee has created BEAUTIFUL shirts and sweatshirts that will be available for donations.
Can't make it to the event? Contact us to make a donation for your Day of the Girl apparel.
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“I want to be part of the change and help empower young girls. No matter our age, we can all make a difference – one small group of girls at a time."
– Lilia, age 16 (GOTR junior coach)
Strength. Empowerment. Independence. Changing the narrative. Being part of a new way forward. Today, on International Day of the Girl, there are so many reasons to support girls. What is yours?
