The following information concerning state-wide and area news, events, and activities is updated at the beginning of each calendar month. Please check with the originating organization to check on possible cancellations or changes that might have occurred since they were originally posted here. See Local News for non-CCSJ events and activities organized and/or occurring in the Morgantown area. See WVU News for Social and Environmental Justice related activties and events organized or occurring at West Virginia University.
NOW is focusing on encouraging people to register and vote this year and also supporting the equal rights amendment and abortion. For more information, go to their Facebook page or email Amanda Ray, the state NOW president, at amandajray@yahoo.com.
See more about ACLU West Virginia here or Facebook. Email them at mail@acluwv.org.
The ACLU-WV is thrilled to announce another Appalachian Queer Youth Summit for the summer of 2024!
“This camp will bring together teens ages 15-19 who either identify as LGBTQ+ or come from LGBTQ+ families from across West Virginia and give them the tools they need to organize and advocate for the issues they care about.
“Campers will learn how to talk to legislators, how to run meetings, tell powerful stories, and more, and will participate in a collective action to better the lives of LGBTQ+ people after the camp concludes.
“Perhaps most importantly, AQYS campers will get to be themselves around people who understand them.
“This year's camp will be held Aug. 7-11 in Morgantown. As always, participation is totally free and travel stipends are available for those who need them.
“Ready to come to camp? Apply here.
“Are you a former camper age 20-21 who would like to serve as a Junior Counselor? Apply here.
“Interested in volunteering? Apply here.
“Please contact Mollie Kennedy atmkennedy@acluwv.org with any additional questions.”
Fairness West Virginia is a civil rights advocacy organtization dedicated to the fair and equal treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender West Virginians.
Fairness West Virginia announced that, in early April, the Town of Bethany became the nineteenth town in the state to adopt a fairness law to protect LGBTQ + residents from discrimination in housing and employment and in public spaces. This is the first town to pass such an ordinance in 2024.
Follow Fairness West Virginia on Facebook.
The WVTC is a grassroots organization that works to ensure the well-being of trans people.
For more information, please go their Facebook page.
This group organized in December 2021 in Charleston “to illuminate the experiences of LGBTQ+ people of color in West Virginia and provide them with a safe space of fellowship,” according to a story in the Juneteenth edition of Black By God: The West Virginian. For more information, email WVBPfoundation@outlook.com or Kasha@wvpfoundation.com.
According to its website, “We are an emerging news and storytelling organization centering Black voices from the Mountain State. We provide a more nuanced portrayal of the Black experience in the Appalachian region.” Crystal Good is the editor/publisher/founder of Black By God.
There is a weekly online edition and a quarterly print edition.
To contact Black by God, email Info@Blackbygod.org or call 304-207-0352. The mailing address is 2156 University Ave. Suite 400, Morgantown, WV, 26505. To make a tax-deductible donation, go to blackbygod.org/donate.