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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Meet Lennie & Pearl - Together Almost 50 Years, Their Lawsuit Won Marriage Equality in North Carolina

The Human Rights Campaign is celebrating the love between Lennie Gerber and Pearl Berlin, a couple who has been together almost 50 years! Watch the video below, and be sure to have tissues handy. Their love is contagious! 

April 8, 2015
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Watch: Emotional Reunion Between Transgender Teen & Supportive School Counselor

In this Nightline special, Nathan, a transgender teen, meets with the school counselor who supported him throughout his childhood struggle. Years later, Nightline captures the emotional reunion. 

April 7, 2015
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VICTORY: RFRA will not advance in Georgia!

At midnight last night, the Georgia General Assembly officially closed their doors for this legislative session and with it ended any chance that RFRA could move forward in Georgia in 2015. Congratulations to the teams at Georgia Unites Against Discrimination and Georgia Equality for all your hard work to protect the LGBT community in your state!

April 3, 2015
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New National Campaign Seeks to Close Youth Prisons, Improve Outcomes for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System

While recently on a tour at a juvenile detention facility, one of my colleagues asked the staff how they make housing decisions for transgender youth. The staff responded, "We ask youth how they identify themselves, and if they would prefer to be placed in the girls unit or in the boys unit." 

April 1, 2015
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LGBT, Civil Rights Groups Urge Support for Fairness for All Hoosiers Act

INDIANAPOLIS – In an open letter to Gov. Mike Pence and leaders in the Indiana House and Senate, national LGBT and civil rights groups call on lawmakers to quickly enact legislation fixing SB 101, which could allow discrimination against gay and transgender people, and end the firestorm of protests that “Indiana is already on the verge of losing billions of dollars and thousands of jobs because of this dangerous law.

March 31, 2015
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Walmart, Apple, Salesforce, and Yelp Join Chorus Against Discriminatory Religious Exemption Bills

The list of companies threatening to reduce business or leave states that have passed or plan to pass so-called “religious freedom” bills is growing daily. Walmart, Apple, and the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce are among the business interests that have come out against a proposed religious exemption bill in Arkansas.

March 29, 2015

Press Releases

VICTORY! Mass. House Passes Transgender Nondiscrimination Bill

Equality Federation congratulates Massachusetts on the passage of a proactive, transgender-specific public accommodations bill. This bill updates Massachusetts state law to ensure explicit protections for transgender people from discrimination in public places, including restaurants, hospitals, parks, and public restrooms. We celebrate this powerful victory, which comes after over a decade of public education and dialogue in the state.

June 1, 2016
The Summer of Action Kicks Off for LGBT Non-Discrimination Work in Atlanta

This week more than a dozen organizers working to secure non-discrimination protections for LGBT Americans nationwide came together in Atlanta, Georgia, launching a new project dedicated to developing conversations about the importance of comprehensive non-discrimination protections.

May 27, 2016
Eleven States Join Anti-Transgender Lawsuit Against Obama Admin

Officials in eleven states – Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin – have filed a lawsuit against the Obama administration over its directive to allow transgender students to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity.

May 25, 2016
Confirmed: LGBT People Protected from Discrimination in Health Insurance and Care

Equality Federation joined the chorus of LGBTQ advocates and health care professionals in praising the Obama Administration for finalizing a rule in the Affordable Care Act that bans discrimination in health insurance and health care.

May 13, 2016
New Ad Targeting Anti-LGBTQ Law in NC Features Transgender Man

Equality Federation member Equality North Carolina has launched a groundbreaking commercial featuring a transgender North Carolinian and others speaking out against ant-LGBTQ law, HB 2, with support from our friends and partners at American Unity Fund, Freedom for All Americans.

May 4, 2016
Even Donald Trump Slams Anti-LGBTQ Law HB2

Watch GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump come out against North Carolina’s anti-LGBTQ law, HB2, at a recent town hall.

May 4, 2016
A young man looking up, smilingA young man smiling straight at the camera
Confident young woman standing with crossed arms.

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