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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REPORT: A Call to Action: LGBTQ+ Youth Need Inclusive Sex Education

A Call to Action: LGBTQ+ Youth Need Inclusive Sex Education details the urgent need for LGBTQ+-inclusive sex education programs and supports. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth – particularly those who are at the intersection of multiple marginalized communities – need to be able to learn in settings that are inclusive of their experiences and that give them the necessary tools to stay safe and healthy.

May 25, 2021
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New team members

It’s an exciting time at Equality Federation. I am honored to announce two new staff members have started this week to enhance and expand our advocacy work. Corinne Green has joined as our Policy & Legislative Strategist, and Mike Webb has joined as our Policy Engagement Strategist. Learn a little below about Corinne & Mike, as well as the way our growing advocacy department will operate.

April 28, 2021
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Latest Attack on LGBTQ Community Goes After Transgender Youth

With every state now in legislative session, we can officially say this is the worst session for transgender youth in recent memory. What started last year but was quickly halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down or pausing many 2020 legislative sessions has come back with a vengeance in 2021.

March 25, 2021
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Equality Federation Statement on the Atlanta-area Attacks

“As a queer AAPI person, I want to acknowledge that this has been a particularly difficult week for those of us who hold these identities. For those members of the community that are suffering this week, I see you, and I stand with you,”

March 18, 2021
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On Eve of Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing, National Leaders Rally In Support of the Equality Act

Unprecedented Support for the Equality Act Comes from Civil Rights Leaders, Women’s Advocates, Business and Corporate Leaders, Educators, Faith Leaders, Medical Community, and Millions of Americans

March 16, 2021
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Progress on Gay Adoption

As the head of Equality Federation, which works to ensure that L.G.B.T.Q. people can thrive and provide for their families, I see firsthand how discrimination causes harm. And as an adopted person, I am forever grateful that my adoption agency’s top priority was finding me a home with loving parents, rather than turning people away based on religious beliefs.

March 9, 2021

Press Releases

Executive Director Betsy Smith Steps Down from EqualityMaine After 14 Years of Incredible Work

Executive Director Betsy Smith has been leading EqualityMaine for fourteen years. After securing many incredible wins for LGBT Mainers, she has announced that she will soon step down from her position. Before Betsy officially leaves the Federation family (though we'll always count her as one of our own), we wanted to learn everything we could from her work and experience. So we caught up with her to talk about her successful tenure at EqualityMaine.

August 28, 2013
FEDtalks Daily: John Smallwood of Fair Wisconsin--Watch Now!

Our final FEDtalk given at the Summer Meeting 2013 is from John Smallwood, Advocacy & Organizing Director at Fair Wisconsin.

August 26, 2013
FEDtalks Daily: Shannon McCann of Equality Utah--Watch Now!

Our ninth FEDtalk given at the Summer Meeting 2013 is from Shannon McCann, Intern at Equality Utah. 

August 23, 2013
Sam Nitz

Sam Nitz currently serves as the Data & Targeting Manager for EMILY’s List, using data and targeting to help elect more Democratic, pro-choice women to office across the country. Previously, he served as the Deputy Targeting Director at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2010 and worked at political direct mail and polling firms.

August 22, 2013
More FEDtalks Now Available!

At this year’s Summer Meeting, we invited state leaders and our Federation interns to take five minutes to share a big idea, talk through an innovative strategy, or offer up an exciting concept. We called the presentations FEDtalks, and since the meeting wrapped, we keep getting requests to publish the videos online.

August 22, 2013
Aaron Welo

Aaron Welo is an at-large director and the Treasurer for the Equality Federation. He is currently an associate with Thompson Coburn LLP in St. Louis, where he practices in the firm's business litigation group on a variety of class and complex litigation matters.

August 22, 2013
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Confident young woman standing with crossed arms.

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