Equality Federation won’t stop until all LGBTQ+ people are fully empowered and represented in their communities, experiencing full equality in their lives.
In 2012, Mainers voted to extend the freedom to marry to same-sex couples in the state. After that historic victory at the ballot box, EqualityMaine -- like a growing number of states -- wrestled with an increasingly common question: What’s next?
Last week, I wrote about the incredible momentum we're seeing for marriage, even in the reddest states. But in just a few days, I was already out-of-date.The progress being made on marriage is happening so fast, it's unlike anything we've ever seen in the LGBT movement. I never thought I'd say this, but it's hard to keep up.
At our annual Summer Meeting, state and national movement leaders from across the country gather to celebrate recent victories, connect with colleagues and friends, old and new, and collaborate for future success. Each year, our host organization partners with us to ensure that the meeting is fun, informative, and unforgettable.
Every year, the Equality Federation Institute hosts its annual Summer Meeting, bringing together LGBT movement leaders from across the country to build skills and create strong connections. This year’s meeting will be here before you know it, and it's time to mark your calendars and save the date!
On Saturday, February 8, I joined tens of thousands of people—including an impressive team from Equality North Carolina—for the Moral March on Raleigh, the largest gathering in the South since Selma.
Less than 5% of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community gives to an LGBTQ cause, according to research from the Horizons Foundation and Movement Advancement Project. To increase this number, Bolder Giving created Give OUT Day, a national initiative that aims to mobilize thousands of donors across the country on one day in May to give in support of the LGBTQ nonprofit community.
On November 5, 2013, voters in the Michigan community of Royal Oak approved a local ordinance protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people from discrimination. Passage of this ordinance, in a 54 to 46 percent vote, comes 12 years after Royal Oak residents previously voted down a similar proposal. Federation member Equality Michigan was a key player in the fight for fairness and equality in Royal Oak. We talked with Emily Dievendorf and Sommer Foster about the campaign that led to this historic win.
Mobilize the Immigrant Vote (MIV) is a California alliance of organizations advancing the broader movement for social change by building immigrant voting power. MIV strategies include building the capacity of community-based organizations working with New American and immigrant communities of color to educate and mobilize their constituents to vote; linking these efforts with ongoing community organizing; shaping the debate on immigrant civic participation; and developing models for collaboration.
A coalition of local and national organizations is planning a grassroots public education campaign to win the freedom to marry in Nevada. This newly formed program will work with Nevada businesses, faith communities, community groups and opinion leaders to increase support for marriage, pass the necessary legislative resolution and lay the groundwork for a ballot measure campaign.
Oregon United for Marriage (orunited.org) is building a broad coalition of individuals and organizations to win the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in Oregon. We believe marriage and family are about love and commitment, working together, bettering the community, raising children, and growing old together. We believe in an Oregon that supports strong families and values freedom and equality. And we believe that marriage matters to all Oregonians.
Oregon United for Marriage (orunited.org) is building a broad coalition of individuals and organizations to win the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in Oregon. We believe marriage and family are about love and commitment, working together, bettering the community, raising children, and growing old together. We believe in an Oregon that supports strong families and values freedom and equality. And we believe that marriage matters to all Oregonians.
Oregon Says I Do is building a broad coalition of individuals and organizations to win the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in Oregon. We believe marriage and family are about love and commitment, working together, bettering the community, raising children, and growing old together.We believe in an Oregon that supports strong families and values freedom and equality. And we believe that marriage matters to all Oregonians.
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.