Meg Sneed

During 2006, Meg Sneed participated as a member of the first Soulforce Equality Ride.{{cite web|url=http://www.soulforce.org/article/1051 |title=2006 Equality Rider: Meg Sneed - SoulForce |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090717081319/http://www.soulforce.org/article/1051 |archive-date=July 17, 2009 }} She also, in 2006, attempted to enlist in the Coast Guard of the United States to protest the military's "Don't ask, don't tell" policy.{{cite news |url=http://www.bilerico.com/2008/08/phoenix_lesbian_to_walk_across_metro_are.php |title="Phoenix Lesbian to Walk Across Metro Area For LGBT Equality" - the Bilerico Project |publisher=Bilerico.com |date=2008-08-08 |access-date=2013-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225024905/http://www.bilerico.com/2008/08/phoenix_lesbian_to_walk_across_metro_are.php |archive-date=2012-02-25 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/local/27029.php |title=Lights out on lesbian's effort to join Coast Guard |publisher=Tucson Citizen |date=2006-09-22 |access-date=2013-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822233827/http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/local/27029.php |archive-date=2007-08-22 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/0921phxgayrecruit0921.html |title=Military rejects gay's enlistment try |publisher=AZCentral |access-date=2013-12-05}}

In 2008, Meg Sneed founded the Right to Marry: Arizona campaign. The campaign uses the framework of pilgrimage for its outreach. Each summer a group of core Equality Walkers walk a mile for every year Arizona has been a state without full legal recognition of its LGBT citizens. The Equality Walkers utilize these miles to speak to police, city slickers, faith communities, elected officials and individuals in diverse districts. In 2008 the Equality Walkers completed 96 miles through western Maricopa County, in order to raise awareness about Proposition 102, and in 2009 the Equality Walkers completed 97 miles through eastern Maricopa County focusing their outreach to diverse faith communities. In 2010 the Equality Walkers completed 98 miles through Northern Arizona walking through some of the most rural cities in the State and putting faces and stories to the issue of Marriage Equality. In 2011 the Equality Walkers completed 99 miles in the extreme heat and desert of Southern Arizona.{{cite web|last=Crawford |first=Amanda J. |url=http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/08/17/20080817marriagewalk0817.html |title=8 finish 96-mile walk to promote equal rights |publisher=Azcentral.com |date=2008-08-17 |access-date=2010-03-20}}{{cite web|url=http://wwieder.podbean.com/2008/08/16/a-different-view-8816-open-mic/ |title=wwieder " A Different View 8/8/16 Open Mic |publisher=Wwieder.podbean.com |date=2008-08-16 |access-date=2010-03-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121210207/http://wwieder.podbean.com/2008/08/16/a-different-view-8816-open-mic/ |archive-date=November 21, 2008 }}{{cite web|last=Thompson |first=Peter |url=http://www.tucsonweekly.com/gbase/Currents/Content?oid=114111 |title=T Q&A | T Q&A |publisher=Tucson Weekly |access-date=2010-03-20}}{{cite web |url=http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid60118.asp |title=Gay Youths Canvass Phoenix Against Prop. 102 | \ |publisher=Advocate.com |access-date=2010-03-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203125151/http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid60118.asp |archive-date=2008-12-03 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.righttomarryaz.org |title=Right to Marry: Arizona |publisher=Righttomarryaz.org |access-date=2010-03-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100307174354/http://www.righttomarryaz.org/ |archive-date=2010-03-07 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.creators.com/liberal/deb-price/optimistic-lesbian-s-feet-follow-her-heart.html |title=Optimistic lesbian's feet follow her heart |publisher=Creators |access-date=2013-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203032108/http://www.creators.com/liberal/deb-price/optimistic-lesbian-s-feet-follow-her-heart.html |archive-date=2013-12-03 |url-status=dead }}

After the passage of Proposition 102, Meg Sneed vowed to continue the fight regardless and to steadily work to regain individual rights conferred by marriage, 300 by Arizona law and another 1,100 by federal law. She and others held a rally after its passage that contained over 5,000 supporters.{{cite news|url=http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/11/10/20081110samesex1111.html |title=Gay supporters, activists vow to continue fight against Prop. 102 |publisher=AZCentral |access-date=2013-12-05}}

In November 2008, Meg Sneed and other young activists formed H.E.R.O. (Human & Equal Rights Organizers). H.E.R.O. is an organization that works with the community, in order to profess the ideals of S.A.V.E. (Service, Action, Visibility, and Education) events.{{cite web|url=http://www.be-a-hero.us |title=Be A Hero |publisher=Be-a-hero.us |date=2010-01-18 |access-date=2010-03-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324033932/http://www.be-a-hero.us/ |archive-date=March 24, 2010 }}{{cite web |last=Mankel |first=Geneve |url=http://phoenix.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/article/guerrilla-gay-bar-phoenix/1241261/content |title="Huerilla Gay Bar Phoenix brings diversity to bars" - Metromix Phoenix |publisher=Phoenix.metromix.com |access-date=2013-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301180030/http://phoenix.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/article/guerrilla-gay-bar-phoenix/1241261/content |archive-date=2012-03-01 |url-status=live }}

In February 2009, Meg Sneed and friend Melissa Halverson, began to work toward removing the ban on homosexuals donating blood, which states that men who have had sex with men are permanently banned from donating. They gained the support of United Blood Services in their actions.{{cite news|url=http://www.kpho.com/news/18767420/detail.html |title="Equal Rights Group Calls FDA Ban Outdated" - Phoenix News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614054949/http://www.kpho.com/news/18767420/detail.html |archive-date=June 14, 2011 }}

In April 2010, Meg Sneed, Jimmy Gruender, Lee Walters, Luisa Valdez and Lonnie Allen Howard-Stidham refused to leave Senator McCain's office until McCain spoke with them about Howard-Stidham's 2007 discharge from the Coast Guard under Don't Ask, Don't Tell. The five were arrested when they refused to leave.{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.../sit-in-at-mccains-az-offi_b_552576.html |title=Joe Mirabella: Sit-In at McCain's AZ Office to Protest Don't Ask Don't Tell |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |access-date=2013-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130161936/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.../sit-in-at-mccains-az-offi_b_552576.html |archive-date=2016-01-30 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.azfamily.com/.../Group-arrested-outside-McCains-office-for-protesting-military-policy-92155374.html }}{{dead link|date=December 2013}}

In July 2010 Meg Sneed joined the national group GetEqual in Las Vegas to protest Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's inaction on bringing the Employment Non Discrimination Act to the Senate floor. Eight activists were arrested for shutting down the Las Vegas Strip for almost thirty minutes. Las Vegas Police stated that this is the first time in 15 years that a group has successfully shut down the Strip.{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Chris |url=http://www.washingtonblade.com/2010/07/21/choi-others-arrested-in-las-vegas-after-enda-protest/ |title=Choi, others arrested in Las Vegas after ENDA protest - Washington Blade - America's Leading Gay News Source : Washington Blade – America's Leading Gay News Source |publisher=Washington Blade |date=2010-07-21 |access-date=2013-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106104706/http://www.washingtonblade.com/2010/07/21/choi-others-arrested-in-las-vegas-after-enda-protest/ |archive-date=2013-11-06 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/GetEQUAL-stops-traffic-on-Vegas-Strip-8-arrested/27357.html |title=GetEQUAL Stops Traffic on Vegas Strip, 8 Arrested |last=Wockner |first=Rex |date=July 21, 2010 |website=Windy City Times |access-date=July 15, 2021}}

In September 2010 Meg Sneed and other members of H.E.R.O. interrupted a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. Members of H.E.R.O. stood up in the middle of the hearing; where they invoked images of those who have stood in the way of civil rights progress in the past and demanded Senator McCain immediately end his threat to filibuster Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Activists held signs saying, "Senator McCain Repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell, Do You Want to Be the next George Wallace?" and "Senator McCain Repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell, It's Not Too Late to Change Your Legacy.{{cite news |last=Conant |first=Eve |url=http://www.newsweek.com/2010/09/16/arizona-gay-advocates-take-on-mccain-in-washington.html |title=Gay Advocates Take On McCain in D.C |publisher=Newsweek.com |date=2010-09-16 |access-date=2013-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305000136/http://www.newsweek.com/2010/09/16/arizona-gay-advocates-take-on-mccain-in-washington.html |archive-date=2016-03-05 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/09/16/Activists_Target_McCain_at_Senate_Hearing/ |title=Activists Target McCain at Senate Hearing |publisher=Advocate |date=September 16, 2010 |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101018231555/http://advocate.com//News/Daily_News/2010/09/16/Activists_Target_McCain_at_Senate_Hearing/ |archive-date=2010-10-18}}{{cite web|url=http://www.congress.org/news/2010/09/16/gayrights_groups_protest_mccain|title=Gay-rights groups protest McCain|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024152910/http://www.congress.org/news/2010/09/16/gayrights_groups_protest_mccain|archive-date=October 24, 2010|access-date=2019-10-30}}

In August 2012 The Right to Marry: Arizona officially was re branded as the Equality Walk. Meg Sneed lead the fifth year of the Equality Walk, and for the first time had two campaigns which covered the entire State of Arizona visiting 35 cities on foot.{{cite web|url=http://www.echomag.com/archives/features/feature/equality.php|title=Equality Walk|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121203618/http://www.echomag.com/archives/features/feature/equality.php|archive-date=2013-01-21|access-date=2019-10-30}}{{cite web|url=http://westvalleyview.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=42806|title=West Valley View|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102002137/http://www.westvalleyview.com/main.asp?SectionID=2|archive-date=November 2, 2012|access-date=2019-10-30}}{{cite news|url=http://www.azcentral.com/community/glendale/articles/20120807arizona-lgbqt-activist-group-walking-100-miles.html|title=LGBTQ activist group walking 100 miles in Arizona to raise awareness|access-date=2019-10-30}}

2011 Echo Magazine Readers' Choice Award "HEROIC Service by a Woman" {{cite web |url=http://digital.publicationprinters.com/publication/index.php?i=66742&m=&l=&p=41&pre=&ver=flex |title=Echo Magazine April 14, 2011 Page 41 |publisher=Digital.publicationprinters.com |date=2011-04-14 |access-date=2013-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312002207/http://digital.publicationprinters.com/publication/index.php?i=66742&m=&l=&p=41&pre=&ver=flex |archive-date=March 12, 2012 |url-status=live }}

2011 Phoenix Pride "grand marshal" {{cite web |url=http://editorial.shewired.com/events/come-out-phoenix-gay-pride-april-16-17-wonder-womans-lynda-carter-uh-huh-her-and-more |title=Come Out for Phoenix Gay Pride April 16–17, 'Wonder Woman's' Lynda Carter, Uh Huh Her and More |publisher=Shewired |date=May 14, 2011 |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709025846/http://editorial.shewired.com/events/come-out-phoenix-gay-pride-april-16-17-wonder-womans-lynda-carter-uh-huh-her-and-more |archive-date=2012-07-09}}

City of Phoenix Martin Luther King "Living the Dream Award"{{cite web |url=https://www.phoenix.gov/eod/commissions/humanrelations/mlkawards/mlk-living-dream-award-winners |title=Current and Past Dr. Martin Luther King Living the Dream Award Winners |website=City of Phoenix |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022010800/https://www.phoenix.gov/eod/commissions/humanrelations/mlkawards/mlk-living-dream-award-winners |archive-date=October 22, 2020}}

Echo Magazine "2010 Woman of the Year" {{cite web |url=http://getequal.org/2010/12/echos-man-and-woman-of-the-year/ |title=Echo's Man and Woman of the Year |date=December 23, 2010 |website=Get Equal |access-date=June 22, 2023 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110803202214/http://getequal.org/2010/12/echos-man-and-woman-of-the-year/ |archive-date=August 3, 2011}}

Echo Magazine "Hall of Fame"

American University "Richard L. Schlegel Award for Visionary Leader" {{cite web|url=http://www.american.edu/ocl/glbta/The-Richard-L-Schlegel-National-Legion-of-Honor-Award.cfm|title=The Richard L. Schlegel National Legion of Honor Award|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416185119/http://www.american.edu/ocl/glbta/The-Richard-L-Schlegel-National-Legion-of-Honor-Award.cfm|archive-date=April 16, 2010|access-date=2019-10-30}}

'N Touch Magazine "2009 Woman of the Year {{cite magazine |url=http://www.ntouchaz.com/-content/_archive/2010/NTOFeb10.pdf |title=Community chooses 2009 'N Touch News Man and Woman of the Year |last=Luis Garcia |date=February 2010 |page=22 |magazine='N Touch Magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714210946/http://www.ntouchaz.com/-content/_archive/2010/NTOFeb10.pdf |archive-date=July 14, 2011}}

Meg is a columnist for Echo Magazine.{{cite web|url=http://www.echomag.com/opinion5.cfm |title="Walking Toward Equality" - EchoMag |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091010212053/http://www.echomag.com/opinion5.cfm |archive-date=October 10, 2009 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.echomag.com/lifestyle3.cfm |title=Notes from the Gayborhood |last=Simplot |first=Tom |website=Echo Mag |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026090610/http://www.echomag.com/lifestyle3.cfm |archive-date=October 26, 2008}}

{{Reflist|2}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100307174354/http://www.righttomarryaz.org/ Right to Marry: Arizona ]
• [http://be-a-hero.us H.E.R.O. ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324033932/http://www.be-a-hero.us/ |date=2010-03-24 }}

{{Portal|LGBTQ}}

• LGBT-welcoming church programs
• Same-sex marriage status in the United States by state

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sneed, Meg}}

Category:1982 births

Category:Living people

Category:LGBTQ people from Arizona

Category:American LGBTQ rights activists