New Intern Brings A Public Health Perspective to ENC's Work

Equality NC is please to have Greer Cook working with us this spring to pass the School Violence Prevention Act. Greer introduces herself in the post below.

Greer - This is your new Public Health Education intern, Greer. I am finishing up my Masters in Public Health at UNCG and I am very happy to be here at Equality North Carolina so that I can to put my newly acquired knowledge to practice.

Not only is Equality North Carolina a wonderful place to work, but their mission is akin to my visions of creating change and improving the health and well-being of GLBT populations.

I have focused my research on GLBT issues, specifically transgender HIV prevention programs and disclosure of HIV+ status among youth. I became actively involved with Equality NC last spring by advocating for the School Violence Prevention Act (SVPA), and I am back to spread the word again!

BullyingAs you all probably know, the SVPA will be reintroduced this spring and ENC is currently working on their second postcard campaign for the bill. In preparation for the 2009 legislative session, I have been researching bullying statistics to bring the most current information to the town hall meetings that are being held around the state.

Rebecca Mann, Community Organizer with Equality North Carolina is traveling around the state to educate communities about the SVPA this spring, and I will be there as well.

Additionally, we will be updating fact sheets about issues that directly affect you related to job discrimination, equal marriage/relationship recognition, and sexuality education just to name a few.

Being an ally is important to me because I have witnessed the negative effects that result from society’s failure to understand that identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender is an innate characteristic and not a “choice.” As an ally, I am deeply committed to securing your rights alongside Equality North Carolina by advocating for equality and justice.

-Greer Cook