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
Federation Members Tell President Obama: No Broad Religious Exemptions in Executive Order

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s unprecedented decision in Hobby Lobby, LGBT advocates working across the country are deeply concerned about what will happen next, especially as the President’s staff prepares an executive order protecting LGBT people from discrimination by federal contractors.

July 8, 2014
BGM Forum logo
Press Release: LGBT Movement Leaders Tell President Obama Executive Order Shouldn’t Contain Broad Religious Exemptions

For Immediate ReleaseLGBT Movement Leaders Issue Strong Request to President ObamaExecutive Order Shouldn’t Contain Religious Exemptions Beyond the Constitution and Title VII

July 8, 2014
BGM Forum logo
Stories from the States: Overcoming Harsh Opposition in Hawai’i

Hawai’i is often thought of as the state that put in motion our modern march toward marriage equality. Even so, the Aloha State didn’t extend the freedom to marry to same-sex couples until last year. But it did so through a dramatic campaign that ended with a special legislative session and the passage of SB-1 — the Hawai’i Marriage Equality Act.

July 2, 2014
BGM Forum logo
Summer Meeting 2014: Full Schedule Released

Equality Federation Institute’s annual Summer Meeting is the premier gathering of LGBT movement leaders. The 2014 Summer Meeting (July 30 – August 2) will feature informative workshops, inspiring speakers, and incredible social events — in the amazing city of Minneapolis, with OutFront Minnesota as our host.

July 2, 2014
BGM Forum logo
The Latest on Summer Meeting: Schedules, Lodging Details, and More

Equality Federation Institute’s annual Summer Meeting is the premier gathering of state-based and national LGBT movement leaders. More than 150 advocates from across the country gather to connect and forge relationships, collaborate for future success and build momentum toward even greater wins in the communities we call home.

July 2, 2014
BGM Forum logo
Supreme Court Gets It Wrong in Hobby Lobby Case

In an unprecedented decision this week, the Supreme Court ruled that employers can use their religious beliefs to deny their employees access to benefits that they are guaranteed by law to receive.

July 1, 2014

Press Releases

Read the Leaked Draft of Trump's Religious Exemption Order

A copy of Trump’s religious exemption executive order has leaked, and it is being described by legal experts as staggeringly broad in scope. The order would give license to discriminate to any person or organization and flies in the face of the values Americans hold dear – fairness, freedom, and treating others the way we’d like to be treated.

February 2, 2017
Extremist Jerry Falwell Jr. Appointed to Task Force on Higher Education

Equality Federation condemns President Trump’s decision to name one of the nation’s most prominent anti-LGBTQ leaders, Jerry Falwell Jr., to the Task Force on Higher Education.

February 1, 2017
Trump's Anti-LGBTQ Scotus Pick: Neil Gorsuch

Tonight President Trump announced Neil Gorsuch, a judge of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, as his nominee for the Supreme Court of the United States.

February 1, 2017
Victory! Colorado RFRA Bill (HB1013) Dies in Committee

On Wednesday last week, Colorado House Bill 1013, a religious exemption bill, died in committee for the third year in a row. The bill, the Colorado Freedom of Conscience Protection Act, was essentially a state RFRA.

January 31, 2017
Watch: Freedom Oklahoma Leads Resistance Against Anti-LGBTQ Attacks

Last year Federation member Freedom Oklahoma led the defeat of 27 anti-LGBTQ bills, and this year they are ready to continue their winning streak on behalf of every Oklahoman who values fairness and equality for all. Earlier this week, they hosted 150 people interested in advocating for equality.

January 31, 2017
Victory! Discriminatory Bill Withdrawn in Wyoming

On Thursday last week, Wyoming’s state legislature withdrew House Bill 135. HB135 would have allowed businesses, state and local governments to discriminate against LGBTQ people.

January 31, 2017
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.