When Equality Federation Institute was looking for a city to host our annual Summer Meeting, we were looking for a place that embodies our commitment to working locally, to building a true grassroots movement, and to winning big, even when it’s hard.

We found it all in Minneapolis, with member organization OutFront Minnesota as our host.

Over the past two years, Minnesota has been at the forefront of bold, historic change — defeating a constitutional amendment that would have limited the freedom to marry in 2012 and passing marriage for same-sex couples in 2013.

But Minnesota’s big wins aren’t the only reason the state is the ideal spot for Summer Meeting. OutFront Minnesota is a shining example of an organization that understands what LGBT work looks like in a post-marriage context.

After winning the freedom to marry, many state-based organizations wrestle with the question, “What’s next?” In the North Star State, OutFront Minnesota knew that even after achieving the marriage milestone, they had much more work to do to ensure that LGBT people are safe and free in communities across the state.

Not long after winning marriage, the team at OutFront Minnesota shifted into a legislative campaign that secured passage of one of the country’s strongest bullying prevention and safe schools laws. The new law will serve to create safe and supportive educational environments for all students, including LGBT young people, and to ensure that students aren’t pushed out of school and into the criminal justice system.

The work that’s happening in states like Minnesota reminds us that our movement is not finished  after marriage -- that the freedom to marry is not the final goal but an important victory along the way to achieving full and lasting equality for all LGBT people.

The Federation is proud to host our annual Summer Meeting in Minnesota to shine a light on the post-marriage work happening right now to ensure that LGBT Minnesotans are free from prejudice, free to be who they are, free to live without facing nearly insurmountable obstacles, free to love and be loved.

Summer Meeting 2014 is your chance to learn from and connect with state and national movement leaders who are doing incredible work across the country -- both before and after marriage wins.

With everything we’re planning, you do not want to miss out on this year’s Summer Meeting! Be sure to register now!