Equality Federation won’t stop until all LGBTQ+ people are fully empowered and represented in their communities, experiencing full equality in their lives.
In 1997, a few state LGBTQ leaders came together at the Highlander Center in Tennessee. State by state, they were often working in isolation. Sitting in a circle of rocking chairs, they envisioned coming together as a state-based movement to form what would become Equality Federation.
This week marked one year since the tragedy at Pulse night club claimed the lives of 49, mostly Latinx, LGBTQ young people. As we continue to mourn and celebrate their lives, we commit to honoring them with action.
“For the LGBTQ community, today marks the beginning of Pride Month – a month dedicated to celebrating the vibrancy of our community, living our truth, remembering those we have lost and those who have paved the way, and preparing for the next year of hard work and accomplishments ahead of us.
As we kick-off Pride month, I’d like to look back on the legislative season and my time as Policy Fellow at Equality Federation, tracking and analyzing bills that impact the LGBTQ community. Here are two of the major highs and lows in trends this legislative season.
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.
In a case brought by Transgender Law Center, on behalf of high school senior Ash Whitaker, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s ruling that transgender students are protected from discrimination under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
At Equality Federation, we know how tough it can be to work in the South. That's why, for years, we've been facilitating, supporting, and growing partnerships and collaborations across the region that strengthen our state groups and accelerate the progress we've been making.
Today the Obama Administration’s Department of Education (DOE) and Department of Justice (DOJ) signed a groundbreaking letter that was sent to public schools directing them to embrace transgender students by allowing them to participate fully and use the facilities that match the gender they live every day.
In 2013, Equality California and its coalition partners successfully advocated for the passage of the School Success and Opportunity Act (AB1266), which went into effect on January 1, 2014. AB1266 ensures that schools have the guidance they need to make sure all students, including those who are transgender, have the opportunity to do well in school and graduate.
It's an exciting time here at the Federation! Each year, we ask our beloved members to complete our recertification survey. Recertification is a chance for you to update the Federation about your work, your priorities, and your team. It’s also an opportunity to let us know of any changes we can make to improve your experience as a member.
In the past few years, we have seen growing public support for allowing same-sex couples to marry. This support has come from years of important public and private conversations about marriage for same-sex couples -- between friends, families, neighbors -- and in the media for all to hear.
We are excited to announce the addition of two new member organizations to the Equality Federation: Gender Justice League and Wyoming Equality! Gender Justice League is a Washington State trans* and allied activist group based out of Seattle.
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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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