Equality Federation won’t stop until all LGBTQ+ people are fully empowered and represented in their communities, experiencing full equality in their lives.
On Monday, the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a best practices guide that will ensure transgender employees has access to the restroom that corresponds to their gender identity. The 4-page "Guide to Restroom Access for Transgender Workers" provides guidance to employers on best practices regarding restroom access for transgender workers, with the goal of assuring that employers provide a safe and healthy working environment for all employees.
A bill (SB 2) that would exempt certain public officials from issuing marriage licenses without fear of losing their jobs if doing so “would violate their core religious beliefs” has passed in North Carolina's legislature and now awaits action from Governor McCrory.We join Equality Federation member Equality North Carolina in calling upon the Governor to veto the bill.
Early next month, new protections for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community will become law in Maryland without Governor Larry Hogan's signature. Federation member Equality Maryland's work in the state was imperative to the passing of two pro-LGBT bills in the House and Senate this legislative session.
This summer, Hawaii will become the next state to advance equality for the transgender community.During Hawaii's 2015 legislative session, Federation member Equality Hawaii strongly advocated for HB 631, the transgender birth certificate bill.
Earlier this month, I flew to Albuquerque for a remarkable convening of activists from movements for reproductive rights, reproductive justice, and LGBT issues in the Southwest. Organized by ConwayStrategic (with funding from the Ford Foundation) the gathering included advocates from Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico, including Equality Federation members Equality New Mexico and Equality Arizona, along with some national organizations.
Over the past few months we have seen an increase in the number of anti-conversion therapy bills introduced in legislatures across the country. These bills call for the end of this dangerous practice that causes real harm to the LGBT community, and especially to LGBT youth who are subjected to it against their will.
Kellan Baker is a Senior Fellow with the LGBT Research and Communications Project at the Center for American Progress (CAP), where he works on a range of LGBT health issues with the federal government and other national and state stakeholders.
Recently, our board of directors voted on two new at-large members. In just a few short weeks, our members will have the chance to vote on our new slate of member representatives to the Equality Federation and Equality Federation Institute Board of Directors.
As leaders of state-based organizations, you probably have conducted, or will conduct, a ballot measure campaign. These campaigns can be the key to achieving policy wins in your state, so you want to make sure you're successful, right?
Advocates are working all across the country to advance statewide laws and local ordinances protecting LGBT people from discrimination. At the same time, our opposition is mounting an effort to pass so-called religious exemption laws legalizing discrimination against LGBT people in housing, employment, and services.
The Equality Federation is looking for a highly skilled, enthusiastic and motivated leader to become our Director of Development. As we continue to build our organization, we are seeking an individual who can help us expand as the movement builder and strategic partner to state-based organizations advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.
Our partners at the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund have an exciting opportunity for those interested in learning more about effective political campaigns. Later this month, Victory's Candidate & Campaign Training will take place in San Antonio, Texas.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
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.
.png)
