Equality Federation won’t stop until all LGBTQ+ people are fully empowered and represented in their communities, experiencing full equality in their lives.
Made possible by support from Gill Foundation and written by three Federation staff members -- Fran Hutchins, Ian Palmquist, and Jace Woodrum -- Building Momentum for Change carefully considers the power of local and incremental campaigns, making a strong case for doing and funding this work. The report also offers recommendations for movement leaders to ensure that these efforts avoid a number of common pitfalls.
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.
In the course of just one month, our movement has charged forward -- winning marriage for same-sex couples in three more states. Like many of you, I’m in awe of what has happened in just a matter of weeks.
Despite the significant advances that have been made to win marriage for same-sex couples, a majority of states in this country still lack basic protections for LGBT people in employment, housing, and public accommodations. At the Equality Federation, we're working to change that.
After two decades, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) has passed the Senate, moving us one step closer to ensuring that LGBT individuals are secure and free from discrimination at work. With a final vote count of 64 to 32, this transgender-inclusive bill passed with bipartisan support in the Senate for the first time in history.
The impact of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision striking down Section 3 of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) continues to be felt across the country. As each federal department issues new rules and guidelines for implementing the decision, families in states across the country are asking more and more questions about what it all means for them. A number of member organizations have taken the initiative to inform folks in their states about what a post-DOMA country means for them.
Update: Senator José Rodríguez has introduced a comprehensive nondiscrimination bill, SB 165, that would protect LGBT Texans from discrimination in employment, housing, and in public accommodations – places like restaurants. Pledge your support!
Today, a Minnesota District Court ruled that transgender people on Medical Assistance in Minnesota deserve access to medically necessary services related to gender transition. Since 2005, surgical treatments for gender dysphoria have been excluded from coverage even though equivalent treatments were covered under the federal Medicare program and private insurance plans.
Equality Federation is deeply concerned about the anti-Muslim rhetoric and potential policies of Mr. Trump’s team, including the proposed registry of Muslim immigrants. Here are a few organizations you can learn about and support during this troubling time. We are dedicated to working hand-in-hand with our partners to combat racism and bigotry in all its forms.
Like you, I am still grappling with the sadness, anger, and shock over the victory of a candidate who could not be more removed from our values, and the values of my daughter’s generation. This is a candidate who stirred-up bigotry, racism, and misogyny that has seriously divided our country.
On any given day in America thousands of LGBTQ youth, disproportionately youth of color, are separated from their families by means of our broken, corrupted juvenile justice system. In this webinar discussion with MAP, Youth First!, Impact Justice, and NCLR we explore the issue and what we can do together to make the changes necessary to ensure all our youth have a fair opportunity to thrive. Click here to take the pledge for youth and learn more.
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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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