Equality Federation won’t stop until all LGBTQ+ people are fully empowered and represented in their communities, experiencing full equality in their lives.
Equality Federation hails the introduction of the Equality Act which would provide comprehensive federal protections against discrimination for LGBTQ Americans and their families. Led by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), 40 senators introduced the Act in the Senate and, simultaneously, led by Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI), 158 representatives filed legislation in the House.
The Heart of Dixie has grown colder today. This afternoon, the Alabama House of Representatives passed HB24, deceptively named the Alabama Child Placing Agency Inclusion Act, on a 87-0 vote with 6 abstaining. The bill now heads to Governor Kay Ivey’s desk.
Today’s the day! We’re currently in third place with momentum on our side.
Tomorrow is Give OUT Day, a national day of giving to LGBTQ organizations, and Equality Federation could win $10,000 for our work to achieve equality all across the country! Will you chip in to propel us to victory?
Equality Federation has been proud to partner with Lyft since last year, and a new announcement from the company reinforces why we value them as a business leader in inclusivity.
Equality Federation congratulates the hard work of Federation member Equality New Mexico, all of the national partner organizations, and the courageous advocates on the ground who shared their personal stories to achieve today’s victory: banning the dangerous and unscientific practice of sexual orientation and gender identity conversion efforts! New Mexico joins five states and the District of Columbia in banning the practice, and Equality Federation is currently supporting bills that would ban it in 19 more states.
A judge in Pinedale, Wyoming faced discipline from the Wyoming Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics for a newspaper interview she gave stating that she would not officiate same-sex marriages. She said, “When law and religion conflict, choices have to be made.”
Equality Federation regrets to report that several organizations, including two Federation member groups, have been targeted by acts of vandalism. Someone smashed a window of Equality Florida’s Orlando office in late February.
In case you missed it, 2016 was a year for the record books. Well over 200 pieces of anti-LGBTQ legislation kept Equality Federation and our state partners busy in state capitals across the country. That’s the bad news.
Though the national political scene has been tumultuous, unpredictable, and downright discouraging these past few months, I have the privilege to work with passionate Ohioans in several of our cities who are determined to do everything they can to stand with LGBTQ Americans in the face of harmful rhetoric coming from this new administration and its advocates.
With the challenges, disappointments, and threats coming out of Washington, it’s a pleasure to see forward thinking legislative packages coming out on the state level. Equality Federation will keep highlighting the groundbreaking work of our member organizations.
Equality Federation will continue to fight for the inclusion and fair treatment of transgender students. We are encouraged by the outpouring of support for Gavin and other transgender students across the nation.
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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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