News & Resources

Equality Federation won’t stop until all LGBTQ+ people are fully empowered and represented in their communities, experiencing full equality in their lives.

The Latest

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Commitment to Racial Justice

Equality Federation is committed to promoting racial justice and equity in all facets of our work. When we began our racial justice initiative in 2014, we decided that it was not enough to have a stand-alone program or project.

October 26, 2017
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More Than Just A Conference - Equality Federation's Convenings Make Change!

Equality Federation’s conferences, convenings, and trainings provide an extraordinary opportunity for member organizations to learn from and support each other.

October 25, 2017
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Local Wins, National Impact

Equality Federation members scored key municipal policy wins this year. While we often focus on statewide wins, these city and county victories are critical components of the fight for equality in the communities we call home.

October 25, 2017
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20 Years Strong!

In 1997, a few LGBTQ movement leaders, including our current executive director, Rebecca Isaacs, came together at the Highlander Center in Tennessee. Sitting in a circle of rocking chairs in the room where Rosa Parks was trained in civil disobedience, they envisioned coming together as a state-based movement to form the “Federation of Statewide LGBT Political Organizations.” From that loose network, an organization grew.

October 25, 2017
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Our Funders & Financials

October 25, 2017
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The Current Political Landscape

Equality Federation’s Legislative Action Center tracks every piece of LGBTQ-focused legislation in all 50 states, allowing us to deploy critical resources to our state partners at every step of the legislative process. This year we tracked over 350 bills affecting the LGBTQ community. Fifteen states faced down anti-transgender bathroom ban legislation this year and we were victorious in fighting every one of these discriminatory efforts.

October 25, 2017

Press Releases

Regional Field Director, Equality Utah

Based in Salt Lake City, Equality Utah is the state’s leading Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) political advocacy organization. With a vision of a fair and just Utah, Unity Utah was founded in 2001, by a group of visionary members of the Utah LGBT Community.

February 7, 2014
Ian Palmquist to Speak at LGBT in the South: Advocacy Within and Beyond the Law

In just a few weeks, advocates, attorneys, organizers, ministers and community members will come together to strategize about new approaches to LGBT advocacy in the South. The Federation’s Ian Palmquist will join the conversation. 

February 4, 2014
Unsung Victories: Maryland, Kentucky, Louisiana and West Virginia

State-based organizations across the country are making change in the communities we call home -- where the work is hard, but the impact is great. Nearly every week, we hear about another victory that provides LGBT people with the protection, respect and dignity they need and deserve, but far too often, these wins go unsung by the broader LGBT movement.

February 4, 2014
Marriage Efforts Move Forward, Even in the Reddest States

Thinking back to this time last year, I certainly didn’t expect to be looking at an equality map showing that 17 states and the District of Columbia have extended the freedom to marry to same-sex couples. But in nearly every region of this country, we’ve seen monumental progress that has dramatically changed the map.

February 4, 2014
Stories from the States: Equality Michigan and Partners Win Fairness and Equality for LGBT People in Royal Oak

On November 5, 2013, voters in the Michigan community of Royal Oak approved a local ordinance protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people from discrimination. Passage of this ordinance, in a 54 to 46 percent vote, comes 12 years after Royal Oak residents previously voted down a similar proposal. Federation member Equality Michigan was a key player in the fight for fairness and equality in Royal Oak. We talked with Emily Dievendorf and Sommer Foster about the campaign that led to this historic win.

February 3, 2014
Data Strategist & Technical Assistance Manager, Mobilize the Immigrant Vote

Mobilize the Immigrant Vote (MIV) is a California alliance of organizations advancing the broader movement for social change by building immigrant voting power. MIV strategies include building the capacity of community-based organizations working with New American and immigrant communities of color to educate and mobilize their constituents to vote; linking these efforts with ongoing community organizing; shaping the debate on immigrant civic participation; and developing models for collaboration.

February 3, 2014
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