News & Resources

Equality Federation won’t stop until all LGBTQ+ people are fully empowered and represented in their communities, experiencing full equality in their lives.

The Latest

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Gov. Cuomo Extends Discrimination Protections to Transgender New Yorkers

Equality Federation applauds New York Governor Andrew Cuomo who announced tonight at Federation member Empire State Pride Agenda’s gala that he will issue regulations to protect transgender people from discrimination in housing, employment, credit, education, and public accommodations. Governor Cuomo will direct the State Division of Human Rights to issue regulations that would extend existing protections against discrimination in New york’s Human Rights Law so that protections based on sex are defined to include gender identity, gender expression, and gender dysphoria

October 22, 2015
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Equality Pennsylvania Seeks Policy Director

The Policy Director will manage Equality Pennsylvania’s policy initiatives within the departments of the state government and work to make sure every applicable program is inclusive of LGBT Pennsylvanians and their families, with emphasis on transgender Pennsylvanians. The Policy Director will focus on Pennsylvania government programs to ensure that all plans, benefits and coverage require, permit, or encourage the inclusion of coverage for ALL LGBT Pennsylvanians including their same-sex spouses and their children.

October 19, 2015
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One Colorado Seeks Health Policy Manager

The Health Policy Manager will focus on health coverage to ensure that the plans, benefits and coverage of public and private insurers do not require, permit, or encourage the exclusion of coverage for same-sex partners or their children, nor the exclusion of medically necessary transition care.

October 19, 2015
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Transgender Identical Twin Knew She Was a Girl Since Early Childhood [video]

Nicole Maines told ABC News in a fantastic new report, "I knew that I was trans when I was 3 years old," she said. "Well, I didn't know trans because I didn't know there was a word for it, but I just knew that in my head and my heart that I was supposed to be a girl."

October 19, 2015
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HERO HUB: The Latest on Efforts to Save Houston's Equal Rights Ordinance

Houston Equal Rights Ordinance ensures that a broad range of hardworking Houstonians – regardless of race, age, gender, orientation, pregnancy, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or military status – has the opportunity to earn a living, take care of their families, have housing, and be served by businesses and government, without fear of discrimination.

October 16, 2015
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The Obama Administration Continues to Slam "Harmful" LGBT Conversion Therapy [new report]

Today the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration released a report (.pdf) detailing the harms and dangers presented by so-called conversion therapy used on LGBTQ youth in attempts to change their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

October 15, 2015

Press Releases

Supreme Court Affirms Federal Nondiscrimination Protections for LGBTQ Americans

Today in a historic 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed that employers can’t unfairly fire or otherwise discriminate against LGBTQ people in the workplace.

June 15, 2020
LGBTQ Organizations Unite to Combat Racial Violence

We, the undersigned, recognize we cannot remain neutral, nor will awareness substitute for action. The LGBTQ community knows about the work of resisting police brutality and violence.

May 29, 2020
Watch Vivian Topping and ALOK Talk Equality

ALOK and Vivian Topping from Equality Federation teamed up to share some important updates with you about anti-transgender legislative trends from around the country.

May 29, 2020
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.

May 14, 2020
Meet Our Director of Advocacy and Civic Engagement

As Director of Advocacy and Civic Engagement, Vivian Topping works with state-based LGBTQ organizations to craft smart, effective legislative and electoral campaigns.

May 11, 2020
Tell the FDA to lift the blood donation ban on gay and bisexual people

Earlier this month, the FDA decided to relax its rule of banning donations from gay men, bisexual men, and trans people from 12 months to 3 months. This is a good start but it's not a win. Any ban based solely on identity is wrong.

April 27, 2020
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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.