Equality Federation won’t stop until all LGBTQ+ people are fully empowered and represented in their communities, experiencing full equality in their lives.
On July 4, 1999, I left Alabama, the state I had called home for my entire life. Since the moment that I pulled away from my childhood home in a car packed to the gills, I have considered that day my own personal Independence Day.
State-based organizations across the country are advancing major progress in the communities we call home -- where the work is hard, but the impact is great. Nearly every week, we hear about another victory that provides LGBT people with the protection, respect, and dignity they need and deserve, but far too often, these wins are unrecognized by the broader community.
With incomplete nondiscrimination protections in 32 states and misleading religious exemption bills popping up across the country that would create loopholes allowing unfair treatment and discrimination against gay and transgender people, it is increasingly important that we raise awareness about the need for complete nondiscrimination protections for all people. Despite the momentous victories for the freedom to marry, many people remain unaware that there is still work to do to ensure full equality under the law.
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals denied the Alabama Attorney General’s request for a stay on a judge’s ruling allowing same-sex marriage in Alabama. This should clear the way for same-sex marriage to begin next week unless the Supreme Court intervenes.
D.W. Trantham testified in support of a bill that would ensure LGBT citizens of Idaho were protected from discrimination in its statewide human rights law. Unfortunately, the bill was defeated. Idaho is one of the 32 states that urgently need to update their laws so that all people, including LGBT, people are protected from discrimination. Get involved in our #DiscriminationExists campaign to learn more about where your state stands and what you can do to help.
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 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.
“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,”
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
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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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