| Atticus Circle | |
| Founded | 2004, Texas, USA |
|---|---|
| Focus | Equal Rights |
| Method | Education, Advocacy |
| Website | AtticusCircle.org |
Atticus Circle is a national not-for-profit organization whose mission is to educate and mobilize fair-minded straight people to advance equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender partners, parents and their children. With the national office located in Austin, Texas, Atticus Circle is also a unique organization in its focus solely on straight allies of the movement. The organization is found by and run by straight people and works to empower other straight allies to give them a sense of ownership in this civil rights struggle rooted in love.
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History
Atticus Circle, named for Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird, was found in 2004 by Anne Wynne after 11 states passed anti-gay "Discrimination Amendments". Since it's inception, Atticus Circle has participated in campaigns in Texas around GLBT domestic partnership benefits and "Discrimination Amendments". They have advocated against "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policies and for fair family policies.
Mission statement
Atticus Circle's official mission statement describes the organization and its aims thus:
- Atticus Circle educates and mobilizes fair-minded straight people to advance equal rights for LGBT partners, parents, and their children. To accomplish our goal, Atticus Circle will focus its efforts on education, policy development, and legal advocacy.
Projects
2007: "Caring for All Children" project serves to educate straight people all over the country about the rights and protections that children of straight people have that the children of LGBT people don't. January-May, 2007: Atticus Circle formed the "Equality Circle," a group of straight volunteers in Austin, Texas who paired with LGBT people to advocate for equal rights during the 2007 Texas Legislative Session. October 7-13, 2007: Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights, in partnership with Soulforce will be held October 7-13, 2007 in many cities throughout the United States, including Montgomery, AL,Phoenix, AZ, Los Angeles and Humboldt County, CA, Atlanta, GA, Indianapolis, IN, Shreveport, LA, Augusta, ME, New York City, Raleigh, NC, Salem, OR, Harrisburg, PA, Austin, TX, Houston, TX and Seattle, WA. Straight individuals, couples and families will be holding overnight vigils all over the country stating their support for LGBT equal rights.
