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

BGM Forum logo
Spotlight Interview featuring Ronnie, Advocacy, Policy, & Partnerships Director at FreeState Justice

In recognition of HIV is Not a Crime Day and Maryland's recent groundbreaking progress toward HIV law reform, we sat down for a conversation with Ronnie at FreeState Justice, one of our state partners. We discuss Maryland’s historic progress, its significance in the current landscape of HIV criminalization across the United States, and the importance of Black LGBTQ+ leadership in shaping HIV justice.

February 28, 2025
BGM Forum logo
Iowa Republicans Strip Civil Rights Protections for Trans People from State Law

The Iowa Legislature this evening passed a repeal of 18-year-old nondiscrimination protections for transgender people. We denounce Iowa’s rollback of civil rights protections for trans people in the strongest possible terms, and call on all Americans of conscience to stand up for their LGBTQ+ friends, family, and neighbors.

February 27, 2025
BGM Forum logo
A Message to Our Community from 200+ Organizations Committed to Advancing LGBTQIA2S+ Freedom

To everyone in our community: We are here. We will keep fighting for us, showing up for us, and creating spaces where we can all feel safe and loved.

February 21, 2025
BGM Forum logo
President Biden Signs Defense Bill Blocking Health Care For Transgender Military Children

President Biden signed into law the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. This annual defense policy bill included a new provision blocking health care for the transgender children of military servicemembers. This provision is the first anti-LGBTQ+ federal law enacted since the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996.

December 24, 2024
BGM Forum logo
2024 at a Glance: Equality Federation Team Shares Snapshots from This Year

Hear from the Fed team, and take a look at what we’ve been up to in 2024!

December 19, 2024
BGM Forum logo
Municipal Equality Index 2024

Equality Federation Institute is proud to partner on HRC’s 2024 Municipal Equality Index (MEI), a comprehensive tool that shows how cities nationwide foster LGBTQ+ equality through their policies, practices, and services. 

December 5, 2024

Press Releases

Help Protect AB 1266 - The California School Success and Opportunity Act

In recent months, Assembly Bill 1266, the School Success and Opportunity Act, was passed by both chambers of the California legislature and signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. This bill restates existing anti-discrimination law requiring that transgender students, like all students, be provided with a safe and supportive school environment where they can succeed.

November 20, 2013
Member Opportunity: The Trevor Project Needs Your Help Recruiting for Their Youth Advisory Council

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.

November 19, 2013
The New Federation Insider Offers Great Resources Just For Our Members

In June, the Federation launched a weekly "Members Only" newsletter for member staff and boards as well as a biweekly "Friends of the Fed" newsletter for our supporters, donors and friends. Over the past few months, we've gotten a wealth of positive feedback about our new communications, and we've also heard some great suggestions.

November 19, 2013
Even in the Reddest of States, America’s Cities are Leading the Way in the Fight for LGBT Equality

WASHINGTON — From coast to coast, America’s cities are demonstrating a commitment to treating lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people with dignity and respect by passing laws and implementing policies that treat all people equally. That’s according to a new report by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization. 

November 19, 2013
Building Momentum for Change

Made possible by support from Gill Foundation and written by three Federation staff members -- Fran Hutchins, Ian Palmquist, and Jace Woodrum -- Building Momentum for Change carefully considers the power of local and incremental campaigns, making a strong case for doing and funding this work. The report also offers recommendations for movement leaders to ensure that these efforts avoid a number of common pitfalls.

November 15, 2013
2013 State of the States, Part 1: State Leaders Advancing the Movement

Since 2006, the State of the States report by the Equality Federation has documented the strength and sustainability of state-based advocacy organizations that advance equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.

November 12, 2013
A young man looking up, smilingA young man smiling straight at the camera
Confident young woman standing with crossed arms.

Want To Make A Difference? Support Our Work

With your support, we'll be able to continue our work to build the leaders of today and tomorrow, strengthen state-based LGBTQ+ organizations, and make critical progress on the issues that matter most—like protecting transgender people, ending HIV criminalization and ensuring access to care, and banning conversion therapy across the country.