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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Roses and Thorns: A Look at the 2017 Legislative Season

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.

June 2, 2017
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Victory! Oregon Passes Milestone Transgender Birth Certificate Bill

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.

May 31, 2017
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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
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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
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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
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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

Press Releases

2020 State Equality Index

The State Equality Index (SEI) is a comprehensive state-by-state report that provides a review of statewide laws and policies that affect LGBTQ people and their families.

January 25, 2021
The Failed Coup Robbed Us of Georgia Joy

Monday, January 4, began my first official week as the new executive director of Equality Federation. I was ready to hit the ground running by playing a very small part in the massive and successful Georgia Senate get-out-the-vote effort.

January 15, 2021
10 Things to Know About Executive Director Fran Hutchins

New year, new executive director. We’ve known her for many years as Equality Federation’s deputy director, but this week Fran Hutchins started her new role as executive director. Get to know a little about Fran!

January 7, 2021
Equality Federation Names Fran Hutchins as New Executive Director

Today, Equality Federation announced that Fran Hutchins, the organization’s current Deputy Director, will lead the organization as Executive Director starting January 1, 2021.

December 8, 2020
Municipal Equality Index: A Nationwide Evaluation of Municipal Law

The Municipal Equality Index (MEI) examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are of LGBTQ people who live and work there. Cities are rated based on non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement, and the city leadership’s public position on equality.

December 3, 2020
November 2020 Election: What Happened in the States

One of the great hopes of the 2020 Election resided in the states: would legislatures flip away from majorities of anti-LGBTQ lawmakers and become pro-equality states? Millions of dollars and years of work went into efforts to change the makeup of State Houses and Senates. Unfortunately, many states came up short, and legislatures remain largely unchanged across the country following November 3.

November 19, 2020
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