Equality Federation won’t stop until all LGBTQ+ people are fully empowered and represented in their communities, experiencing full equality in their lives.
Equality Federation faced a challenging 2019 and used creative strategies to help state-based equality groups across the country support LGBTQ Americans. The fight for justice is a long game. We are committed to using every opportunity to keep building the power of our state-based movement while inspiring communities to stand with us on the side of fairness and equality.
Equality Federation hosted an amazing fundraising reception on April 24th at the Studio Theater in Washington DC. With the help of Board Members, Sam Nitz and Kellan Baker, we had 14 sponsors and over 175 attendees!
One year ago, many of us worried that people wouldn’t understand the need to continue contributing to our movement for equality after marriage equality was secured. Ironically, thanks in part to the media firestorms generated by far-right attacks on our civil liberties such as the religious exemption bill in Indiana and cause célèbre du jours like Kim Davis, it is more likely that our funders and donors understand the need for a strong state-based LGBTQ movement.
Unjust: LGBTQ Youth Incarcerated in the Juvenile Justice System examines how LGBTQ youth who are incarcerated in juvenile detention and correctional facilities face bias in adjudication, and mistreatment and abuse in confinement facilities.
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.
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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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