Thread by @NCHealthNews

Presser by #NCGA Dems advocating for statewide non-discrimination legislation. "Equality for All" bill filed. ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/202…

Butler noting that "a teacher's voice can be their savior." Speaks to teachers re: working with professionalism. "Not for a moment do I believe that a teacher wants to out a child who has placed their trust in that teacher." #LGBTQIA

Notes that there are >1M same sex households in the U.S. as of the last census. #LGBTQIA #ncga

Also filing a spate of other bills to:
- repeal HB2 altogether
- anti-discrimination bill
- bill prohibiting "gay conversion therapy"
#ncga

HB 518 - Equality for All bill
Domestic violence protection bill, protects folks in #LGBTQIA relationships who experience #DomesticViolence
HB 519 - Mental Health Protection Act
HB 520 - anti conversion tx bill
#ncga

Valerie Arendt from @NASWNC Conversion therapy methods are discredited and criticized by nat'l orgs, including hers.
"Discriminative, dangerous, harmful."
Cites high #mentalhealth rates for #LGBTQIA youth.

@NASWNC Parents of #LGBTQ youth would benefit through ban of conversion therapy, Arendt says. #ncga #ENCadvocacyday

@NASWNC Next speaker notes high amounts of support for #LGBTQ folks, even as there are increased legislation targeting them.
Claims that polls find most of public supports the policies in their bills. "Hopeful we'll see the tide turning in that direction"

@NASWNC Kendra Johnson from @equalitync speaking now, says youth are "under attack" being told they're inherently flawed and outed and losing support systems inside of schools." Notes number of bills targeting #LGBTQIA kids.

@NASWNC @equalitync Butler: You have to be prepared to plant seeds under trees whose shade you will not enjoy. Progress has been made and will be made. We want to show what's possible.
#ncga Says she's confident that some day these ideas will prevail. #encadvocacyday