Welcome back!

You may have noticed Wyoming Equality’s increased organizational capacity. This  has been  possible through federal Center for Disease Control and infectious disease funding funneled through the Wyoming Department of Health. Healthcare has always been an area of need in our community—whether it is lack of insurance, under insurance, lack of providers, or the fear of potential stigma and discrimination, the barriers can be overwhelming. Wyoming Equality’s strategic planning throughout the public health emergency uniquely prepared and positioned our organization to create key partnerships with experts working on population health and infectious disease treatment and prevention. Our community organizing efforts helped launch the Wyoming Equality Healthcare Access Project (WEHAP) in 2020 with a variety of healthcare advocates, academic researchers, public health experts, providers, and people with lived experience. This group  meets regularly to plan statewide needs assessments and create networks of LGBTQ+ friendly providers and healthcare entities where folx can get the care they need in Wyoming. Shout out to Casper Pride who created the first resource and referral guide to care in Casper a few years ago, paving the way for our statewide work. No provider in your area? We are also identifying out-of-state specialists and telehealth providers to address needs in even the most rural and frontier areas. And thanks to increased funding and staff capacity, we are making more headway than ever. Please click here to get more involved or to recommend a friendly provider in your area. 

Our healthcare work has amplified the incredible victories that our Executive Director (ED) led us to during this legislative session. Beating back nine bills in the legislature would not have been possible without the political prowess and relationship-building that Sara Burlingame possesses. Burlingame’s strategy and approach in collaboration with supporters from across the state and individuals willing to testify and share their stories changed what could have been a giant stain on Wyoming’s history and the hearts of so many we love. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we applaud the leadership of our staff, the wisdom of our medical professionals, the intelligence of supportive insurance companies, the bravery of those directly affected, and the families who endured the endless debate about their private lives. This includes people from Jackson, Casper, Worland, Cheyenne, Laramie, and many more who braved Wyoming’s winter roads and courageously shared their stories with legislators. All of this effort combined to achieve  policy victories, laying the groundwork for future battles. 

And speaking of laying the groundwork, Wyoming Equality is taking the opportunity after the passage of SF 133—a bill that would outlaw trans athletes in sports—to potentially litigate in the name of our trans youth. We see you and we love you dearly! We know that targeting a handful of our state’s most vulnerable youth is not the solution to Title IX concerns in the state and pits students and coaches against each other. This bill flies in the face of what Title IX seeks to mitigate—the gender binary. We believe that enough is enough and that the state’s constitution will agree. Stay tuned for more details as our efforts unfold. 

With increased staff capacity, the board is also working to increase our  capacity by identifying, recruiting, and developing new board members that want to lead Wyoming Equality into its bright future. For years, the Wyoming Equality board has been the boots on the ground, working to fundraise, organizing events, and build programs to break isolation and create spaces for LGBTQ folks. As our priorities expand, we are beginning the hard work to establish the foundation for a new day at Wyoming Equality that embraces the work we are historically known for while expanding our advocacy, health, and youth programs. It’s a heavy lift to grow an organization, but we are glad you are here for it. As Arundhuti Roy says, “Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”

Thank you for being part of the new day at Wyoming Equality. We could not do it without you. If you are feeling inspired to join our cause, please consider joining a committee, getting involved through the activities on our new website, and by becoming a monthly donor. Just $10-$20 per month will make an incredible impact on our future success. 

In Gratitude,

Andrea Shipley
Wyoming Equality, Outgoing Vice President
Wyoming Healthcare Access Project Chairperson