Equality Federation won’t stop until all LGBTQ+ people are fully empowered and represented in their communities, experiencing full equality in their lives.
Almost 500 attendees, including over 250 people identifying as transgender, gathered in Richmond, Virginia on Saturday for the 3rd annual TIES (Transgender Information and Empowerment Summit) hosted by Equality Federation Member, Equality Virginia. TIES is the largest conference of its kind in the south and is free to attend.
For nearly four years, the two of us have worked together to coordinate a grant from the State Equality Fund focused on developing campaign strategies that would advance nondiscrimination protections for the LGBTQ community. Our time at Equality Federation has been incredibly rewarding, but our project is now winding down, and we will be leaving the Federation at the end of December.
As part of their TransVisible project, Equality Texas launched their #TransTuesday campaign on Coming Out Day. Every Tuesday, via social media, they will share a personal story, a blog, or a video highlighting transgender Texans.
There is so much at stake for LGBT people in this year’s election, and Equality Pennsylvania is working to make sure that LGBT voices are being heard.
HRC Foundation in partnership with the Equality Federation Institute, announced that a record-setting 88 cities across the U.S. earned the highest possible score in the eighth annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI). The MEI is the only nationwide assessment of LGBTQ inclusion in municipal law, policy and services.
HUD announced that they have finalized their rule that ensures transgender people needing shelter will be provided housing in accordance to their gender identity.Equality Federation hails this as a vital clarification and we express our greatest thanks to all the advocates who worked on these policy changes.
In 20 states across the country, 74 cities earned over 85 points despite hailing from a state without non-discrimination statutes that explicitly protect sexual orientation and gender identity, which is up from five municipalities in 2012.
We are excited to announce the addition of our newest state partner to the Equality Federation: Arkansas Black Gay Men’s Forum!
With a rise in hate violence across the country, a new report from the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) and 16 leading civil rights organizations provides a groundbreaking analysis of state and federal hate crime laws.
Today, Equality Federation responded to the Supreme Court’s decision in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, a case involving a religiously affiliated and taxpayer-funded foster care agency that refused to certify same-sex couples as foster parents in violation of Philadelphia’s nondiscrimination protections.
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.
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.
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.