Equality Federation won’t stop until all LGBTQ+ people are fully empowered and represented in their communities, experiencing full equality in their lives.
Over the past few months we have seen an increase in the number of anti-conversion therapy bills introduced in legislatures across the country. These bills call for the end of this dangerous practice that causes real harm to the LGBT community, and especially to LGBT youth who are subjected to it against their will.
Earlier this month, I flew to Albuquerque for a remarkable convening of activists from movements for reproductive rights, reproductive justice, and LGBT issues in the Southwest. Organized by ConwayStrategic (with funding from the Ford Foundation) the gathering included advocates from Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico, including Equality Federation members Equality New Mexico and Equality Arizona, along with some national organizations.
This summer, Hawaii will become the next state to advance equality for the transgender community.During Hawaii's 2015 legislative session, Federation member Equality Hawaii strongly advocated for HB 631, the transgender birth certificate bill.
Early next month, new protections for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community will become law in Maryland without Governor Larry Hogan's signature. Federation member Equality Maryland's work in the state was imperative to the passing of two pro-LGBT bills in the House and Senate this legislative session.
Like its neighboring state of Oklahoma, Texas has seen a dizzying number of anti-LGBT bills this session, 22 to be exact. Federation member Equality Texas helped to soundly defeat four preemption bills that would have invalidated local LGBT nondiscrimination ordinances.
Louisiana set a dangerous precedent this week. Two different nondiscrimination bills -- both positive pieces of legislation that would have extended protections to LGBT Louisianans -- were tabled.
Equality New Mexico's Board was mostly white, mostly male, and mostly cisgender. With thoughtful consideration, extraordinary dedication, open hearts and a willingness to learn, they switched from a "recruitment model" to an "attraction model." Today, their Board is diverse and dedicated to intersectionality and social justice.
Equality New Mexico wants you to know the truth about Stonewall. Here is the educational flier they collaborated on with Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico, NM GSA Network, SURJ New Mexico, Solace Crisis Treatment Center, Prevention at Play, and some awesome Santa Fe community members.
For many young people, the first education they receive regarding their sexuality and sexual health is in school. It is critical, especially for LGBTQ youth, that this education is comprehensive, and addresses the needs of all young people.
Research shows that students of color and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students are more likely to be disciplined than their White, non-LGBTQ peers. Students with intersectional identities, such as Black transgender youth or gay undocumented youth, are at even greater risk.
Equality Federation is proud to join Advancement Project and Gay Straight Alliance Network to release Power in Partnerships: Building Connections at the Intersections to End the School-to-Prison Pipeline, a new report intended to serve as a resource for LGBT and racial justice organizations interested in working together to address disparities in school discipline along lines of race, gender and sexual orientation.
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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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