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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Equality Federation Institute Priorities & Projects

Equality Federation Institute is the national strategic partner to state-based LGBTQ+ equality organizations. We amplify the power of state-based LGBTQ+ groups by providing essential resources, expertise, coordination, and convening opportunities. 

January 13, 2025
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President Biden Signs Defense Bill Blocking Health Care For Transgender Military Children

President Biden signed into law the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. This annual defense policy bill included a new provision blocking health care for the transgender children of military servicemembers. This provision is the first anti-LGBTQ+ federal law enacted since the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996.

December 24, 2024
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2024 at a Glance: Equality Federation Team Shares Snapshots from This Year

Hear from the Fed team, and take a look at what we’ve been up to in 2024!

December 19, 2024
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Municipal Equality Index 2024

Equality Federation Institute is proud to partner on HRC’s 2024 Municipal Equality Index (MEI), a comprehensive tool that shows how cities nationwide foster LGBTQ+ equality through their policies, practices, and services. 

December 5, 2024
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New Director Alert!

We are pleased to announce Janeesha’s promotion from Events Manager to Director of Leadership & Capacity Building!

November 18, 2024
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Reflecting on Leadership Conference 2024

We held our largest Leadership Conference to date, with 360+ attendees from across the country coming together to build relationships and learn from one another. 

August 29, 2024

Press Releases

Stories from the States: Equality Illinois Organizes to Win the Freedom to Marry for Same-Sex Couples

On November 5, the Illinois House passed the freedom to marry in a decisive 61 to 54 vote, following Senate passage on Valentine’s Day earlier this year. On November 20, Governor Pat Quinn signed the bill into law and gave committed same-sex couples across the state the protection and dignity they deserve.

December 2, 2013
Federation’s Executive Director Rebecca Issacs in the Wisconsin Gazette: “Winning LGBT Equality in the Heartland”

Last month, we welcomed an incredible group of state leaders to our Midwest Leadership Summit in Chicago.

December 2, 2013
State of the States Report Part 2: Staff & Boards Creating Social Change

Since 2006, the State of the States report by the Equality Federation has documented the strength and sustainability of state-based advocacy organizations that advance equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.

December 2, 2013
This Thanksgiving Consider Supporting Native American Protesters of the Dakota Pipeline

The gross irony that Native Americans are being abused by overzealous police during Thanksgiving has not been lost on Equality Federation. For this #SolidarityWednesday we encourage you to consider donating to one of the organizations supporting the protestors at Standing Rock in the Dakotas who are fighting to preserve the land and water for future generations.

November 24, 2013
Help Protect AB 1266 - The California School Success and Opportunity Act

In recent months, Assembly Bill 1266, the School Success and Opportunity Act, was passed by both chambers of the California legislature and signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. This bill restates existing anti-discrimination law requiring that transgender students, like all students, be provided with a safe and supportive school environment where they can succeed.

November 20, 2013
Member Opportunity: The Trevor Project Needs Your Help Recruiting for Their Youth Advisory Council

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.

November 19, 2013
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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.