After 10 Years, Executive Director Rebecca Isaacs Steps Down

Yesterday at the kick-off of Equality Federation’s virtual Leadership Conference, I made the bittersweet announcement that after a long and wonderful run, I have decided to step down at the end of 2020—on my 10th anniversary—as leader of the Equality Federation. It has been a great honor to not only serve in this position for a decade but also to have been involved with the Equality Federation from its very inception.

September 6, 2024
2020 Legislative Session Recap

The 2020 legislative session has been interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the current coronavirus crisis, many state legislatures have either suspended session or are focusing primarily on pandemic relief bills.

September 6, 2024
Equality Federation: Queer your data!

At Equality Federation, we work with many politically and civically engaged LGBTQ folks, and we often hear that they don’t feel welcome in other (even progressive) political spaces. What’s more, a 2019 report from Williams Institute found that 21% of LGBTQ people are not registered to vote, compared to 17% of the general population.

September 6, 2024
The First Wave of Anti-LGBTQ Legislation has Arrived and it’s Worse Than you Think

The 2020 legislative session has just begun and we are already facing a massive wave of anti-LGBTQ bills.

September 6, 2024
Thank you, Josh!

It is bittersweet day as we bid farewell to our Administrative Associate, Josh Stickney. Josh has accepted a role as Digital Communications Manager at Equality California. In this new role, he will be supporting the overall communications strategy and program of the organization.

September 6, 2024
Washington Supreme Court to Revisit ‘Arlene’s Flowers’ Case

The Supreme Court of the United States has asked the Washington Supreme Court to revisit Arlene’s Flowers v. Washington. The Justices will not hear the case, asking the lower court to take into consideration the recent Masterpiece Cake decision.

September 6, 2024
Two victories in New Hampshire!

Today New Hampshire’s Republican Governor signed HB 1319 into law, protecting transgender Granite Staters from discrimination in employment, housing, and public spaces. New Hampshire is now the final state in New England – and the 19th state across the U.S. – to have a comprehensive and explicit law protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination in areas of employment, housing, and public accommodation.

September 6, 2024
RTS: 12-Month Development Plan Training Series

September 6, 2024
Help Us Stop Oklahoma’s Anti-LGBTQ Adoption Bill

As an adopted LGBTQ Oklahoman I find SB 1140, Oklahoma’s anti-LGBTQ adoption bill, to be a direct attack on myself and the hundreds of prospective adoptive families across our state.

September 6, 2024
Victory! Anti-Transgender Proposition Defeated in Anchorage

Equality Federation celebrates the defeat of anti-transgender Proposition 1 in Anchorage, Alaska and congratulates our member organization Alaskans Together for Equality and Fair Anchorage for this hard-fought victory.

September 6, 2024
Historic Victory for Transgender Students

Equality Federation applauds this week’s decision by the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, ruling that transgender students’ right to use the restroom and locker rooms matching their gender identity is protected by federal and state law. Congratulations to our member FreeState Justice, who filed the original suit, and the ACLU of Maryland, who joined as co-counsel, on this historic victory!

September 6, 2024
Welcome our Newest Team Member, Joellyn Weingourt

Our mission to advance and empower the state-based LGBTQ movement has remained constant for the almost 21 years of Equality Federation’s existence. The communities we call home continue to be attacked, which means we must be strategic in our work and growth.

September 6, 2024
Webinar Part Two: Building a Major Donor Program

As part of our Raising the States development training program, Equality Federation is excited to team up with Network for Good to provide training opportunities open to all members!

September 6, 2024
No on Prop 1 Campaign Launches TV Ad

Equality Federation is proud to support our member Alaskans Together for Equality and the rest of the steering committee of Fair Anchorage, the No on Prop 1 campaign. This week, they released their first TV ad, which features David Lockard and his son, Col, who is transgender.

September 6, 2024
License to Discriminate Passes in Georgia Senate

The Georgia State Senate, by a vote of 35-19, advanced legislation that would allow taxpayer-funded adoption agencies to deny service to LGBTQ youth and families.

September 6, 2024
Webinar Opportunity: Building a Major Donor Program

As part of our Raising the States resource development training program, Equality Federation is excited to team up with Network for Good to provide training opportunities open to all members!

September 6, 2024
Georgia Passes Comprehensive Adoption Bill; Fight Far From Over

Last week lawmakers in Georgia passed positive reforms to the state’s adoption and foster care code. HB 159 updates the state’s antiquated child welfare laws and does not include any discriminatory language.

September 6, 2024
Victory! South Dakota Defeats Anti-Transgender Bathroom Ban

Two additional bills targeting LGBTQ people have failed in the South Dakota Legislature. SB 160, which would have prohibited classroom instruction of gender expression or identity, and SB 202, which would have required all public restrooms to have a sign posted giving notice that a person of the “opposite sex” may be in the restroom, were both killed or voted down with bipartisan support.

September 6, 2024
Honor Trans People on November 20 and Every Day

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.

September 6, 2024
Freedom Oklahoma targeted by gunfire over the weekend

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.

September 6, 2024
#GetCovered: The Health Insurance Marketplaces are Open for Business!

Since 2013, the Affordable Care Act (or “Obamacare”) has made it possible for LGBTQ people and families get access to quality, affordable health insurance. Thanks to the law, the rate of uninsured low- and middle-income LGBTQ people has dropped by 35%! More people in our community have access to medically necessary services they need, from life-saving HIV drugs to gender affirming health care.

September 6, 2024
Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission is Not About Cakes

President Trump and Attorney General Sessions are calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to rule in favor of a baker who refused to serve a same-sex couple. SCOTUS’ ruling in the upcoming Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission case could change the landscape of existing non-discrimination laws across the country.

September 6, 2024
How to Help After Hurricanes Harvey and Irma

The hurricanes that have battered the southeast over the past month have left devastation in their wake. Our friends in Texas, Florida, the Caribbean, and beyond have a long road ahead.

September 6, 2024
Equality Delaware and One Iowa Join Equality Federation!

The state-based movement for LGBTQ equality and justice is broad and diverse. That’s why we strive to ensure that our membership reflects the whole country.

September 6, 2024
Orlando One Year Later: #HonorThemWithAction

As we mark a year from the Pulse massacre that claimed the lives of 49 people, Equality Federation stands with Equality Florida in their campaign to #HonorThemWithAction.

September 6, 2024
Victory! Oregon Passes Milestone Transgender Birth Certificate Bill

Equality Federation congratulates Basic Rights Oregon on the historic passage of HB 2673A. This legislation allows transgender individuals to amend both name and gender marker on their birth records without going to court.

September 6, 2024
Victory! Connecticut and Nevada Ban Anti-LGBTQ Conversion Efforts

Equality Federation congratulates our partners and advocates on the ground who have worked tirelessly for these victories in Connecticut and Nevada. This week, we add two more to the list of states that have banned conversion “therapy” for minors.

September 6, 2024
North Carolina's Inadequate HB 2 Update

Equality Federation condemned North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper for signing HB 142, a law that legislators attempted to frame as a repeal of the famously discriminatory HB 2.

September 6, 2024
March Forward with Equality Federation: How We Will Win on Bathrooms

July. Scorching heat. Queen Hatcher approached the door of a suburban Atlanta home, knocked, and took a deep breath.

September 6, 2024
20 States Could Ban Dangerous Anti-LGBTQ Conversion "Therapy" Efforts

Equality Federation is supporting legislation in 20 states to protect youth from the harmful, unscientific, disproven practice of sexual orientation and gender identity conversion “therapy” efforts that are shockingly still in practice today.

September 6, 2024
Victory! Utah Passes Historic Bill Repealing Anti-LGBTQ Public Education Law

The Utah Legislature passed a historic bill on Wednesday this week repealing a state law prohibiting supportive discussions of “homosexuality” in public and charter school curricula and classrooms. This victory has been months in the making.

September 6, 2024
Equality California's 2017 Legislative Package Pushes Progress

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.

September 6, 2024
Welcome Our New Policy Fellow, Maryse Pearce!

This legislative session, we’ve hired a Policy Fellow to analyze the impact of proposed policies related to the LGBTQ community in all 50 states at the state legislative level. After a wide search with numerous qualified applicants, this week we welcomed Maryse Pearce to the team.

September 6, 2024
Discriminatory Bill on Taxpayer Funded Adoption Agencies Introduced in South Dakota

In early February, the South Dakota legislature introduced SB149, a FADA (First Amendment Defense Act) style adoption bill. Despite the bill’s sponsor’s claim to the contrary, the impact of the legislation is clear. This bill will allow taxpayer funded adoption agencies to discriminate against LGBTQ people.

September 6, 2024
Victory! South Dakota Anti-Transgender Bill (SB115) Withdrawn

In late January, South Dakota’s SB115, was withdrawn from the senate. The bill, which would have banned transgender students from fully participating in school programs and using the facilities that matched the gender they live every day, was pulled by its sponsor right before its hearing on January 31st.

September 6, 2024
Equality Utah Seeks Injunction in Landmark Case

In October, Equality Utah made history by filing a lawsuit against Utah’s state education office. The lawsuit challenges a curriculum law that prohibits discussing homosexuality in a positive way.

September 6, 2024
Victory! Colorado RFRA Bill (HB1013) Dies in Committee

On Wednesday last week, Colorado House Bill 1013, a religious exemption bill, died in committee for the third year in a row. The bill, the Colorado Freedom of Conscience Protection Act, was essentially a state RFRA.

September 6, 2024
Victory! Discriminatory Bill Withdrawn in Wyoming

On Thursday last week, Wyoming’s state legislature withdrew House Bill 135. HB135 would have allowed businesses, state and local governments to discriminate against LGBTQ people.

September 6, 2024
438 Civil and Human Rights Organizations Oppose Confirmation of Jeff Sessions

438 civil and human rights organizations, including Equality Federation, have signed onto a letter from The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights to express our strong opposition to the confirmation of Senator Jefferson B. Sessions (R-AL) to be the 84th Attorney General of the United States.

September 6, 2024
Progress! Virginia Governor Signs Anti-LGBTQ Discrimination Order

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe signed an executive order today that bans anti-LGBTQ discrimination among state employees, contractors and subcontractors.

September 6, 2024
2016 State of the States Part 4: Accomplishing Priorities & Creating Strategic Partnerships

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

September 6, 2024
2016 State of the States Part 3: Staff & Boards Creating Social Change

Since 2006, the State of the States report by Equality Federation has documented the strength and sustainability of state-based advocacy organizations that advance equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the communities they call home. Over the past ten years, State of the States has faithfully documented our movement’s triumphs and trials as reflected in the capacity of our state-based organizations.

September 6, 2024
2016 State of the States Part 2: Funding the State-Based Movement

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

September 6, 2024
2016 State of the States: Part 1: Supporting Executive Directors Advancing the Movement

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

September 6, 2024
Equality Ohio Launches Municipal Equality Map

Ohio is one of 28 states that leaves LGBTQ people out of laws that make discrimination illegal. However, some individual communities have enacted these protections themselves.

September 6, 2024
Largest Survey of U.S. Transgender People Results Released

Today, the National Center for Transgender Equality released findings from the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey (USTS), the largest survey ever conducted of transgender people. The USTS examined the experiences of transgender people across the United States, with an incredible 27,715 respondents.

September 6, 2024
New Hampshire Introduces Comprehensive Transgender Non-Discrimination Bill

The Freedom New Hampshire coalition – currently comprised of Transgender New Hampshire, New Hampshire PFLAG, Rights and Democracy, ACLU of New Hampshire, GLAD and Freedom for All Americans – introduced a comprehensive trans nondiscrimination bill this session.

September 6, 2024
VICTORY! Minnesota Transgender Surgery Ban Found Unconstitutional

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.

September 6, 2024
10 Reactions to Trump from State Equality Groups

September 6, 2024
Progress! Cheyenne Council Approves Non-Discrimination Resolution

On Monday, October 24, after nearly six hours of public testimony and dais debate, the Cheyenne City Council voted 7-3 to approve an anti-discrimination resolution that commits to equal protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents.

September 6, 2024
Hundreds Attend Transgender Conference in Virginia

Almost 500 attendees, including over 250 people identifying as transgender, gathered in Richmond, Virginia on Saturday for the 3rd annual TIES (Transgender Information and Empowerment Summit) hosted by Equality Federation Member, Equality Virginia. TIES is the largest conference of its kind in the south and is free to attend.

September 6, 2024
Equality Texas Launches #TransTuesday

As part of their TransVisible project, Equality Texas launched their #TransTuesday campaign on Coming Out Day. Every Tuesday, via social media, they will share a personal story, a blog, or a video highlighting transgender Texans.

September 6, 2024
Equality Pennsylvania Gets Out the Vote!

There is so much at stake for LGBT people in this year’s election, and Equality Pennsylvania is working to make sure that LGBT voices are being heard.

September 6, 2024
Michigan Votes to Adopt LGBTQ Safe Schools Guidance

After a months-long public engagement campaign, the Michigan State Board of Education voted 6-2 yesterday to adopt the “Guidance on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Students.” This guidance creates more supportive learning environments for LGBTQ students, who are at greater risk of suicide, and cannot succeed academically without a supportive school environment.

September 6, 2024
Juneau Passes Inclusive LGBTQ Non‐Discrimination Ordinance

This week, the Juneau Assembly passed an ordinance that makes it illegal to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. In passing this ordinance, Juneau became the second Alaskan city to pass an inclusive non‐discrimination ordinance that extends protections in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or national origin, race, color, age, religion, sex, familial status, and disability.

September 6, 2024
Eleven States Join Anti-Transgender Lawsuit Against Obama Admin

Officials in eleven states – Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin – have filed a lawsuit against the Obama administration over its directive to allow transgender students to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity.

September 6, 2024
Meet the New Executive Directors of the State-Based LGBTQ Movement

Recently, several of our member organizations welcomed new leadership to their teams. These incredible leaders will help to expand our movement in bigger and brighter ways across the country. Let’s congratulate our member organizations and welcome these new leaders!

September 6, 2024
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