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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Historic Victory for Transgender Students

Equality Federation applauds this week’s decision by the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, ruling that transgender students’ right to use the restroom and locker rooms matching their gender identity is protected by federal and state law. Congratulations to our member FreeState Justice, who filed the original suit, and the ACLU of Maryland, who joined as co-counsel, on this historic victory!

March 16, 2018
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Welcome our Newest Team Member, Joellyn Weingourt

Our mission to advance and empower the state-based LGBTQ movement has remained constant for the almost 21 years of Equality Federation’s existence. The communities we call home continue to be attacked, which means we must be strategic in our work and growth.

March 8, 2018
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Why the Fight to End Conversion Therapy Matters

In the nearly three years since the Obergefell ruling legalized marriage in all fifty states, we’ve faced an uphill battle. Victory has often meant defeating anti-LGBTQ legislation rather than passing proactive, pro-equality legislation.

March 6, 2018
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Webinar Part Two: Building a Major Donor Program

As part of our Raising the States development training program, Equality Federation is excited to team up with Network for Good to provide training opportunities open to all members!

March 5, 2018
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No on Prop 1 Campaign Launches TV Ad

Equality Federation is proud to support our member Alaskans Together for Equality and the rest of the steering committee of Fair Anchorage, the No on Prop 1 campaign. This week, they released their first TV ad, which features David Lockard and his son, Col, who is transgender.

March 2, 2018
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Widespread Threat to Equality - License to Discriminate Bills

Our families are under attack. From the White House to state legislatures across the nation, right-wing politicians are trying to prevent justice and equality under the guise of protecting religious freedom.

March 1, 2018

Press Releases

Court Rules Transgender Students' Rights Are Protected

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.

May 31, 2017
Orlando One Year Later: #HonorThemWithAction

As we mark a year from the Pulse massacre that claimed the lives of 49 people, Equality Federation stands with Equality Florida in their campaign to #HonorThemWithAction.

May 31, 2017
Texas On Verge of Passing Extreme Anti-LGBTQ Laws

Governor Abbott has called for a special session to continue pushing for an anti-transgender bathroom ban.

May 24, 2017
Victory! Connecticut and Nevada Ban Anti-LGBTQ Conversion Efforts

Equality Federation congratulates our partners and advocates on the ground who have worked tirelessly for these victories in Connecticut and Nevada. This week, we add two more to the list of states that have banned conversion “therapy” for minors.

May 17, 2017
Equality Federation Condemns Tennessee Gov. for Signing Anti-LGBTQ Bill

Equality Federation has condemned Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam for signing HB 1111/SB 1085, requiring that all words in Tennesee state code be defined as their so-called “natural” or “biological” meanings.

May 9, 2017
Trump's Executive Order

Today President Trump signed a troubling and unnecessary executive order (full text below) that directs the Justice Department to draft religious exemptions guidelines that could promote anti-LGBT discrimination, promotes limiting access to contraception, and promotes partisan political spending by churches.

May 4, 2017
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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.