State-based organizations across the country are making change 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 go unsung by the broader LGBT movement.

At the Federation, we’re committed to telling the story of these victories. And this week, we're headed to West Virginia, Missouri, Georgia and Oklahoma.

• In West Virginia, the Mayor of Lewisburg, John Manchester, has announced his support for marriage equality and has become the state’s first “Mayor for the Freedom to Marry!" Congratulations to Fairness West Virginia, whose stories touched Mayor Manchester and moved him to stand up as the first mayor in West Virginia to publicly support the freedom to marry for all families.

• Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has issued an Executive Order directing the Missouri Department of Revenue to accept joint tax returns that mirror the Federal Treasury and IRS, ensuring that all legal same-sex marriages will be recognized for state tax purposes. This is a huge step toward recognizing all couples in Missouri, and the team at PROMO continues on the path toward winning the freedom to marry in their state!

• Atlanta, Georgia has made history as the first city in the Deep South to receive a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2013 Municipal Equality Index! Thank you to Georgia Equality for your continuous work to ensure LGBT individuals are treated equally in your state and its cities.

• In Oklahoma, the University of Tulsa has added sexual orientation and gender identity to its nondiscrimination policy. We stand with The Equality Network to applaud the University for its commitment to fairness and inclusion.

What else? Let us know about a win in your community, and we’ll feature it in an upcoming edition of Unsung Victories! Just send an email to communications@equalityfederation.org.