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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Federation Plans for the Work Ahead with Newly Merged Freedom Oklahoma

A year and a half ago, I flew to Tulsa to work with The Equality Network. At that time, TEN was a small organization of committed volunteers. While they were doing remarkable work with few resources, they recognized it was time to grow so they could have an even bigger impact on their state.

March 4, 2015
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Historic LGBT-Faith Coalition Backs Nondiscrimination in Utah

SAN FRANCISCO - Today, Equality Federation hails the progress made by Federation member Equality Utah in bringing together faith and political leaders to draft nondiscrimination legislation, Senate Bill 296, to ensure no hardworking Utahn is unfairly fired from a job or denied a place to live.

March 4, 2015
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Charlotte, NC City Council Rejects Weakened Non-Discrimination Ordinance

Last night, the Charlotte City Council rejected a proposed nondiscrimination ordinance supported by Equality Federation member Equality North Carolina and their coalition partners. The measures would have added sexual orientation and gender identity, among other characteristics, to already protected classes in four city non-discrimination ordinances.

March 3, 2015
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Swampscott, MA Passes Public Setting Nondiscrimination Protections for Gender Identity

Swampscot, MA has joined the movement led by towns and cities across the country to protect people from discrimination based on gender identity. Carly Burton, interim co-executive director of Federation member MassEquality, released the following statement in response to the decision.

March 3, 2015
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23 LGBT Advocates Arrested in Idaho Demonstration

Twenty-three advocates championing nondiscrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people were arrested on March 2nd at the Idaho State Capitol. The demonstrators asked lawmakers to include protections for LGBT people in the Idaho Human Rights Act.

March 3, 2015
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Married Same-Sex Couples Now Protected By Family and Medical Leave Act

The Department of Labor has issued some great news for LGBT couples and their families: married same-sex couples will soon be eligible for benefits under the Family and Medical Leave Act even if they live in a state that doesn’t recognize their marriage. From a release on the Department’s website, workers in same-sex marriages will have the same rights as those in opposite-sex marriages to federal job-protected leave under the FMLA to care for a spouse with a serious health condition.

February 28, 2015

Press Releases

VIDEO: State and National Movement Leaders Reflect on the Federation’s Impact at Summer Meeting 2014

Another Summer Meeting has come and gone, and as in year’s past, our gathering in Minneapolis was full of moments to remember. This year, in what was one of the biggest highlights for me personally, the Federation team took a few moments to tell participants about our work and our vision for the state-based movement in the years to come.

August 6, 2014
Amber Royster

Amber Royster is the Executive Director of Equality New Mexico (EQNM), New Mexico's LGBTQ advocacy organization. Following six years on active duty in the U.S. Navy, she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Master of Public Administration degrees at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington.

August 5, 2014
Stories from the States: Equality New Mexico Shifts Focus After Winning Marriage

After winning marriage, the next question that’s typically asked is: “What’s next?” For Equality New Mexico, this question has a multitude of answers.

August 5, 2014
Summer Meeting 2014: Full Program & Final Reminders

In just a few days, more than 160 advocates from across the country will gather in Minneapolis to connect and forge relationships, collaborate for future success, and build momentum toward even greater wins in the communities we call home. The 2014 Summer Meeting (July 30 – August 2) will feature informative workshops, inspiring speakers and incredible social events — in the amazing city of Minneapolis, with OutFront Minnesota as our host.

July 24, 2014
LGBT Movement Leaders Applaud President Obama’s Historic Executive Orders Protecting LGBT Workers from Discrimination

Equality Federation, the strategic partner to state-based organizations advancing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, is celebrating the signing of two executive orders today. Executive Order 11246 will now prohibit federal contractors from discriminating against workers based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

July 21, 2014
Moving Forward After Today’s Executive Orders

Just moments ago, I was standing in the East Room of the White House as President Obama signed two historic executive orders. For the first time in the history of our country, federal contractors can no longer discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and transgender employees in the federal civil service are explicitly protected from discrimination.

July 21, 2014
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