Equality Federation won’t stop until all LGBTQ+ people are fully empowered and represented in their communities, experiencing full equality in their lives.
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In honor of HIV Is Not a Crime Awareness Day, we sat down with 3 Black LGBTQ+ leaders and executive directors whose state-based LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations successfully modernized or repealed HIV criminalization laws for a candid conversation about what it actually takes to win—and why victory can still feel incomplete.
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It’s hard to be a queer or trans Texan right now, especially in deep-red rural areas. But Equality Texas has the answer: the Rainbow Rights Roadshow, a 15-stop tour of the state is a chance for LGBTQ+ Texans to connect, learn, advocate, and be in community.

Check out our bilingual community education toolkit to help our communities learn about mpox and the safe and effective vaccine that protects against it.

FACT: Cuts to health care disproportionately hurt LGBTQ+ communities. Click to view our health care factsheet!
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We are thrilled to share that three of our incredible team members have been selected for the National Black Justice Collective’s (NBJC’s) 2025 Cohort of 100 Black LGBTQ+/SGL Emerging Leaders to Watch!
“Beyond Pink Ribbons” is more than a slogan. It’s a reminder that breast cancer advocacy must evolve if it’s going to serve everyone it claims to represent. It’s time to create space for everyone who lives with, or is at risk for, this disease.
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.
In the course of just one month, our movement has charged forward -- winning marriage for same-sex couples in three more states. Like many of you, I’m in awe of what has happened in just a matter of weeks.
Despite the significant advances that have been made to win marriage for same-sex couples, a majority of states in this country still lack basic protections for LGBT people in employment, housing, and public accommodations. At the Equality Federation, we're working to change that.
After two decades, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) has passed the Senate, moving us one step closer to ensuring that LGBT individuals are secure and free from discrimination at work. With a final vote count of 64 to 32, this transgender-inclusive bill passed with bipartisan support in the Senate for the first time in history.
The impact of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision striking down Section 3 of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) continues to be felt across the country. As each federal department issues new rules and guidelines for implementing the decision, families in states across the country are asking more and more questions about what it all means for them. A number of member organizations have taken the initiative to inform folks in their states about what a post-DOMA country means for them.
As I look back on the past year, I’m still in awe. State organizations accomplished game-changing victories that were nothing short of historic. That’s why I’m proud to share with you Equality Federation’s 2012 Annual Report, which offers a small look into our role in last year’s incredible wins.

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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.