Equality Federation won’t stop until all LGBTQ+ people are fully empowered and represented in their communities, experiencing full equality in their lives.
In state after state this year, opponents have used ever-evolving strategies to legislate anti-LGBTQ discrimination. The two most common strategies are religious exemption bills (so-called “religious freedom” bills) and bills focussed on restroom access.
Update: Equality Federation extends our deepest gratitude to the eight courageous Senators in Missouri who filibustered for a historic 39 hours to prevent a discriminatory religious exemption bill from moving forward in the legislature. SJ39 is a dangerous bill that would ask the voters of Missouri to amend their constitution to allow religious organizations and individuals to use their faith to legally justify refusing services and benefits to LGBTQ people.
Now is the time for transgender equality, and more states are doing the right thing. They are no longer forcing transgender people to have surgery or obtain court orders in order to change the gender marker on their birth certificates.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, a federal agency that ensures the enforcement of federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate on specified grounds against a job applicant or an employee has announced two lawsuits alleging anti-gay discrimination.
Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch Carmichael delivered a tearful floor speech in support of a “civil rights amendment” to an anti-LGBTQ religious exemption bill, #HB4012, to prevent the bill from being used to discriminate. The amendment passed, and on Wednesday, March 2nd, the entire bill was killed in a 27-7 vote.
Over 400 companies including major corporations like Delta, Coca Cola, Home Depot, SalesForce, and Hyatt, along with small businesses throughout Georgia and the Georgia Visitors and Convention Bureau, have come together to say no to discrimination and stand in opposition to the antii-LGBTQ religious exemption bills making their way through the legislature.
As you may have noticed, over the past month, we’ve been rolling out a number of exciting changes to our communications. Thanks to the support of several key donors, the Federation added Jace Woodrum, a seasoned communications operative, to our team in June.
At the Federation, we work to strengthen state-based organizations that are making critical progress on the issues that matter most. And while that work takes many forms, it often involves on-the-ground collaboration -- the kind of collaboration that keeps us traveling around the country.
Just weeks after the Supreme Court struck down DOMA and restored marriage in California, the LGBT community is celebrating another historic victory.
Later today, House Republicans will meet to discuss the future of immigration reform. They have a choice.
Our members are always finding new and exciting ways to raise the dollars they need. From clever campaigns to effective events -- we consistently see state groups exceed their goals, deepen relationships with their supporters, and fund the fight for equality.
The Equality Federation Institute is proud of the diverse group of sponsors supporting our Leadership Conference this year in Portland, Oregon. The annual Leadership Conference brings together LGBTQ leadership from around the nation for 4 days of planning, presenting our successes and challenges, and fellowship in order to guide and build the movement for the next year and beyond.
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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.
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