Equality Federation won’t stop until all LGBTQ+ people are fully empowered and represented in their communities, experiencing full equality in their lives.
Today is #GivingTuesday, a national day of charitable giving, and we need you to support the state-based LGBTQ resistance.
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of people who were killed in acts of anti-transgender violence. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th, 1998 kicked off the “Remembering Our Dead” web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999.
In 2017, there have been multiple attacks, drive-by shootings, and episodes of vandalism targeting LGBTQ advocacy organizations and community centers in New Jersey, Florida, and Tulsa. Freedom Oklahoma appears to be the latest victim. When the cleaning crew arrived on Sunday morning they discovered bullet holes riddled across the glass wall which serves at the entrance to Freedom Oklahoma’s office.
Update: Raven Matherne won a seat on the Stamford Connecticut Board of Representatives and is believed to be the city's first openly transgender lawmaker.On Tuesday, November 7th EIGHT transgender candidates made history!
Equality Federation joined an amicus brief (see below) filed by Lambda Legal in what is shaping up to be one of the most significant LGBTQ equality cases of our time, Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. Don’t be fooled by the name or the right-wing’s arguments; This case is not just about cakes or one small business, it is about whether laws against discrimination can continue to be enforced without sweeping exemptions.
Yesterday, the Bexley City Council approved a nondiscrimination ordinance protecting individuals against discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations, based upon sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Ordinance 1215 was approved with a majority six “yes” votes.
We’re all holding our breath for the Supreme Court’s decision on marriage, which will be announced any day now. At the same time, we’re also finally catching our breath, because by the end of this month, all but a handful of state legislatures will be out of session.
Like you, Equality Federation staff and board are on pins and needles with anticipation for the Supreme Court’s ruling on the freedom to marry. At press time, the Court has indicated that a decision could be issued on Thursday, Friday, or Monday.
Our hearts are broken over the senseless murders in Charleston, and we send our love and condolences to everyone impacted by this hateful act. Racism, hate, and bigotry continue to manifest unspeakable destruction in our lives and communities. We stand with all who want to create a world free of racism and injustice.
Finalizing your plans for Summer Meeting in Charlotte? Itching for more details?Check out our just released schedule! And go ahead and register now to reserve your spot!
Over 3,000 children are awaiting adoption in Michigan, yet on Thursday, June 11, Governor Rick Snyder signed a law permitting faith-based adoption agencies that receive public funding to discriminate against potential parents - including same-sex or unmarried couples - if doing so would violate the agencies' religious beliefs, leaving the needs of children on the sidelines.
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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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