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In an exclusive story withÌý, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has unveiled , a comprehensive campaign to dramatically expand LGBT equality in the South through permanent campaigns inÌýMississippi, Alabama and Arkansas. This substantial and lasting initiative—with aÌýthree-year budget of $8.5 million and a dedicated staff of 20—i²õÌýthe largest coordinated campaign for LGBT equality in the history of the South.

“Right now, this country is deeply divided into two ¾«¶«Ó°Òµs—one where LGBT equality is nearly a reality and the other where LGBT people lack the most fundamental measures of equal citizenship. Project One ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ is an unparalleled effort to close that gap, and it opens up a bold, new chapter in the LGBT civil rights movement of this generation. In this grand struggle for equality, we can’t write off anyone, anywhere,” said HRC President and Arkansas native Chad Griffin.

Project One ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ is the very first campaign of its kind to work exclusively on LGBT equality in Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas—where there areÌýno non-discrimination protections for LGBT people at the state or local level in employment, housing or public accommodations, and whereÌýeach state’s constitution expressly prohibits marriage equality.