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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Lawsuit Filed Over Louisiana Governor's Unconstitutional Anti-Gay Marriage Executive Order

Equality Federation member Forum for Equality Foundation has partnered with the ACLU to file suit challenging Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal's anti-LGBT "Marriage and Conscience Order." Read the press release below!

June 30, 2015
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Victory! Supreme Court Grants Freedom to Marry

Today, Equality Federation applauds the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision securing the freedom to marry for all Americans!This is a momentous win for freedom, equality, inclusion, commitment, and above all, love.

June 27, 2015
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Equality Federation Staff's Personal Reactions to the Marriage Ruling

Today is a joyous moment in our movement's march towards justice and equality for all. The Supreme Court's ruling is deeply personal to all of us, and here are our reactions...

June 26, 2015
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Bexley, Ohio Becomes Latest City to Pass Nondiscrimination Ordinance

Yesterday, the Bexley City Council approved a nondiscrimination ordinance protecting individuals against discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations, based upon sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Ordinance 1215 was approved with a majority six “yes” votes.

June 24, 2015
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2015 LGBT Legislative Roundup

We’re all holding our breath for the Supreme Court’s decision on marriage, which will be announced any day now. At the same time, we’re also finally catching our breath, because by the end of this month, all but a handful of state legislatures will be out of session.

June 24, 2015
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Decision 2015: 3 Ways the Supreme Court Could Rule on Marriage

Like you, Equality Federation staff and board are on pins and needles with anticipation for the Supreme Court’s ruling on the freedom to marry. At press time, the Court has indicated that a decision could be issued on Thursday, Friday, or Monday.

June 23, 2015

Press Releases

23 LGBT Advocates Arrested in Idaho Demonstration

Twenty-three advocates championing nondiscrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people were arrested on March 2nd at the Idaho State Capitol. The demonstrators asked lawmakers to include protections for LGBT people in the Idaho Human Rights Act.

March 3, 2015
Swampscott, MA Passes Public Setting Nondiscrimination Protections for Gender Identity

Swampscot, MA has joined the movement led by towns and cities across the country to protect people from discrimination based on gender identity. Carly Burton, interim co-executive director of Federation member MassEquality, released the following statement in response to the decision.

March 3, 2015
Charlotte, NC City Council Rejects Weakened Non-Discrimination Ordinance

Last night, the Charlotte City Council rejected a proposed nondiscrimination ordinance supported by Equality Federation member Equality North Carolina and their coalition partners. The measures would have added sexual orientation and gender identity, among other characteristics, to already protected classes in four city non-discrimination ordinances.

March 3, 2015
Married Same-Sex Couples Now Protected By Family and Medical Leave Act

The Department of Labor has issued some great news for LGBT couples and their families: married same-sex couples will soon be eligible for benefits under the Family and Medical Leave Act even if they live in a state that doesn’t recognize their marriage. From a release on the Department’s website, workers in same-sex marriages will have the same rights as those in opposite-sex marriages to federal job-protected leave under the FMLA to care for a spouse with a serious health condition.

February 28, 2015
Exposed: Dangerous "Gay Conversion Therapy" Still Practiced in Most States (video)

Dangerous forms of "therapy" are performed every day in the United States and throughout the world in an attempt to "convert" lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people to conform to heterosexuality and traditional gender standards. Despite the progress we've made achieving the freedom to marry in many states and the increased cultural acceptance of LGBT people, this dangerous practice continues.

February 27, 2015
Nathan Schaefer

Nathan Schaefer is the Executive Director of the Empire State Pride Agenda and the Empire State Pride Agenda Foundation. In this capacity, he oversees the organization’s staff across the state and is responsible for advancing equality and justice for LGBT New Yorkers via the various facets of both organizations.

February 26, 2015
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