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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Member Resource: National Center for Transgender Equality Releases Report To Improve Conditions for LGBT Prisoners

In a country that incarcerates more of its people than any other in the world, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people are more likely to end up behind bars, and even more likely to face abuse while there. To address the issues and harms faced by LGBT prisoners, and to give activists and allies tools for working to improve jail and prison conditions for these individuals, the National Center for Transgender Equality has released an excellent new resource: Standing with LGBT Prisoners: An Advocate’s Guide to Ending Abuse and Combating Imprisonment.

April 9, 2014
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Recent Polls Show Record-Levels of Support for the Freedom to Marry from the Republican Party

With 17 states and Washington, D.C. allowing same-sex couples to share in the freedom to marry, a major shift in attitudes within the Republican party is increasingly emerging. In a recent memo from Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry, they cite a surge in support coming from Republicans of all ages, as conservatives across generations are changing the way they think about marriage for same-sex couples.

April 9, 2014
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Announce Eligibility and Enrollment for Same-Sex Spouses

Just this past week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) took the latest step in implementing the Supreme Court’s decision overturning the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) with its announcement that same-sex spouses will be recognized in administering several aspects of the Medicare program, regardless of where the couple lives. Now that Medicare is no longer prevented by DOMA from recognizing same-sex marriages for determining entitlement to, or eligibility for, Medicare, CMS is working with the Social Security Administration to conduct eligibility determinations and to enroll seniors and individuals with certain disabilities in the program.

April 9, 2014
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Member Opportunity: Management Center to Offer Training at Summer Meeting 2014

Summer Meeting 2014 is coming together, and it's going to be the best one yet -- especially with the newest addition to the program.This year, the Equality Federation Institute is proud to offer a special opportunity for member organizations -- a free fast-paced crash course in the basics of effective management.

April 8, 2014
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After Years of Tireless Work, Maryland Secures Nondiscrimination Protections for Transgender People

It took years of organizing and lobbying and coalition building and storytelling. But soon, the Fairness for All Marylanders Act of 2014 will become law.

April 2, 2014
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Spread the Word: LGBT People Under Attack in Mississippi

We've developed the tools below so that all Federation member groups can organize and engage their supporters in the fight against Mississippi's harmful and dangerous bill to allow discrimination against LGBT people.

April 2, 2014

Press Releases

2013 State of the States, Part 1: State Leaders Advancing the Movement

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

November 12, 2013
Stories from the States: PROMO Holds Post-DOMA Webinar and Twitter Town Hall

The impact of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision striking down Section 3 of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) continues to be felt across the country. As each federal department issues new rules and guidelines for implementing the decision, families in states across the country are asking more and more questions about what it all means for them. A number of member organizations have taken the initiative to inform folks in their states about what a post-DOMA country means for them.

October 31, 2013
The 2012 Equality Federation Annual Report: Winning Equality in Communities We Call Home

As I look back on the past year, I’m still in awe. State organizations accomplished game-changing victories that were nothing short of historic. That’s why I’m proud to share with you Equality Federation’s 2012 Annual Report, which offers a small look into our role in last year’s incredible wins.

October 23, 2013
Member Resource: What LGBT Communities Need to Know About the Affordable Care Act

Members of the LGBT community are more likely than the general population to lack adequate, if any, health coverage. But as a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), millions of LGBT people and their families will experience improvements in the quality of coverage they have—such as LGBT-inclusive anti-discrimination protections—or will have access to health insurance coverage for the first time.

October 14, 2013
Stories from the States: The Fairness Campaign and Kentucky Fairness Alliance Merge!

We are pleased to welcome our newest member organization, the Fairness Campaign in Kentucky! The Fairness Campaign has recently merged with Kentucky Fairness Alliance to create a more unified, stable, and successful LGBT equality movement in the Bluegrass State!

October 14, 2013
The Continuing Implementation of DOMA Decision and How It Will Impact Medicaid and CHIP

Since the Supreme Court’s landmark decision striking down Section 3 of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), many federal departments have issued guidance and policy updates detailing the impact of DOMA’s demise for same-sex couples.

October 14, 2013
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