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MASSACHUSETTS REACHES FULL EQUALITY

The Massachusetts governor signed a law on July 8, 2016 for transgender equality in public accommodations, bringing the state to full LGBT equality.

Check the scorecard for each state here.

NEVADA REACHES 92% EQUALITY

The governor of Nevada, a Republican, just signed into law a comprehensive anti-bullying legislation (SB504) that specifically enumerates sexual orientation and gender identity or expression as protected categories (per GLSEN research enumeration of the categories is critical for the effectiveness of the legislation).

Check our updated scorecard, in which Nevada reaches 92% equality.

Congratulations to all who helped make this happen.

Let’s go for 100% equality in Nevada—and the rest of the country.

BACK TO 36

In an unprecedented move, the Alabama Supreme Court has stopped marriages in the state despite an order from the US Supreme Court.

The legal battles continue!

ALABAMA IS 37

Today Alabama has become the 37th state to offer marriage equality (in addition to the District of Columbia).

Congratulations to all who helped make it happen!

FLORIDA IS 36

It was just announced that the Supreme Court denied the stay. So marriages will start in Florida on January 6. It will be the 36th state (plus DC).

Congrats to all who made it happen!

KANSAS IS 34 AND MONTANA IS 35

Congratulations to all who made possible marriage equality in Kansas (the 34th state to do so) and Montana (the 35th state).

Check each state ranking in the eQualityGIving States's Scorecard.

WYOMING IS 33

Congratulations to Wyoming in becoming the 33rd state offering marriage equality.

ALASKA IS 32

Hours after Arizona, Alaska becomes the 32nd state to have marriage equality.

Congratulations!

ARIZONA IS 31

Arizona has become the 31st state to have marriage equality. Check the up-to-date information of all equality goals on each state in our States Scorecard.

IDAHO AND NORTH CAROLINA

As of today, they are the 29th and 30th states to offer marriage equality.

Congratulations!

WEST VIRGINIA AND WHAT IS NEXT

West Virginia has decided not to challenge the right of same-gender couples to get married. So, today it becomes the 28th state (plus the District of Columbia) not to discriminate loving couples who wish to marry.

Because of the recent Supreme Court order deciding not to review (for the moment) marriage decisions from several Courts of Appeals, it is expected that the number of states offering same-gender marriage will grow to 35 in a matter of weeks.

Congratulations to all loving couples in West Virginia.

KANSAS

Hot off the press, Kansas is the 27th state (plus DC) with marriage equality.

Congratulations!

MARRIAGE IN NEVADA

The US capital for weddings will now accept same-gender marriage! As of today, Nevada is the 26th state (plus the District of Columbia) non discriminating in marriage same gender couples.

How appropriate that Nevada takes over the hump---now we are over 50% of the states with marriage equality. More progress coming in the next few days as the Appeals Courts sort the issues.

Congratulations, Nevada!

COLORADO HAS NOW MARRIAGE EQUALITY

The day after the Supreme Court decision, Colorado is allowing same gender couples to marry. This makes Colorado the 25th state non discriminating on marriage.

Congratulations!

FIVE MORE STATES GET MARRIAGE EQUALITY

The Supreme Court decided not to consider several marriage cases that were on appeal. As a result, Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin now have marriage equality. Total now is 24 states and the District of Columbia.

Six more states (Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wyoming) shall get marriage equality very soon (these states that are part of the same Courts of Appeals).

Check our States Scorecard for the level of LGBT equality in any state.

Congratulations and thanks to all who made it possible!

EXECUTIVE ORDER SIGNED

President Obama signed this morning the non-discrimination executive order for federal contractors, fulfilling his campaign promise of 6 years ago.

Congrats to all who made it happen!

ANOTHER STATE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

A federal judge ruled that the Colorado ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. This is the 16th state with a similar ruling since the Supreme Court ruled the Windsor case in June 2014.

MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN KENTUCKY

A federal judge ruled today that the ban on same-gender marriage in Kentucky was unconstitutional. The same judge ruled a few months ago, on a separate case, that Kentucky had to recognize same-gender marriages from other states. The judge stayed both decisions awaiting for an appeal to the federal appeals court.

Check the state of equality in each state on our scorecard, which is kept up to date.

PENNSYLVANIA APPROVES MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Yesterday a federal district court judge ruled that Pennsylvania should allow same-gender couples to marry. Today, Governor Corbett has announced that he will not appeal the decision. After Governor Christie in New Jersey, Governor Corbett is the second Republican governor not to appeal such a decision.

Pennsylvania becomes the 19th state (plus the District of Columbia) to allow same-gender couples to marry.

With this decision, the state equality index for Pennsylvania raises from 25% to 42%. Check your state's equality index here.

Congratulations to all who made this possible.

OREGON APPROVES MARRIAGE EQUALITY

This afternoon, a federal judge ruled that Oregon should allow same-gender couples to marry starting today. Because the state is not appealing, this is the final decision (despite the National Organization for Marriage attempts to stop it).

Oregon becomes the 18th state (plus the District of Columbia) to allow same-gender couples to marry.

Check our scorecard for Oregon and other states here.

Congratulations to all who worked so hard to make this happen.

UPDATED STATES SCORECARD

We updated our scorecard for the states, by adding for each state the date marriages become effective and the method by which it occurred (Legislature, Courts, Popular Vote or a combination).

Check out our States Scorecard.

As always you can sort columns by clicking on them.

MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN HAWAI'I AND BEYOND

Congratulations to the legislators, donors, and volunteers in Hawai'i---the state that started the marriage equality battle a generation ago and that now has achieved the right to marry for all.

Hawai'i becomes the 16th state (plus the District of Columbia) to provide marriage equality. In all, 37.3% of the American population is covered by the right to marry the person you love.

After the recent legislative victories in Hawai'i and Illinois, the battle in the other states is focused on the courts and ballot initiatives.

MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN ILLINOIS

The Illinois Senate and House have approved marriage equality in Illinois. The governor is expected to sign it into law immediately, making it the 15th state (in addition to Washington, DC) to offer marriage equality. Same gender couples are expected to start marrying on June 1, 2014.

Illinois now has a 92% rating on state LGBT equality. Check what else needs to be done there and other states in our Equality Scorecard.

MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN NEW JERSEY

Today, Governor Christie has withdrawn its appeal of the marriage equality case, given that the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled unanimously last week not to delay same gender marriages. Therefore, starting today, marriage equality is the law of the land in New Jersey (for a total of 14 states and DC).

CONGRATULATIONS NEW JERSEY! AND WASHINGTON D.C.!

The Supreme Court of New Jersey has ruled that while awaiting their ruling next year, same-gender couples can marry in New Jersey.

This makes New Jersey the fourth state to offer full LGBT legal equality (after Vermont, Connecticut, and California). Washington DC is awaiting the expiration of the congressional review period for its transgender legislation. When this happens (in a few days) it will also offer full equality to its LGBT citizens.

DELAWARE AGAIN

We are delighted that Delaware approved yesterday adding gender identity/expression to its nondiscrimiantion and hate crimes statutes. This brings its Equality Scorecard to 75%

Now, it is time for the final push to bring the scorecard to 100% and join Vermont and Connecticut as the states that offer full equality to its LGBT residents.

DELAWARE

Congratulations to all donors, volunteers, and staff who made Delaware the 11th state (plus the District of Columbia) that support marriage equality.

Let's bring the state now to full equality. See what needs to be done in the States Scorecard.

RHODE ISLAND

Congratulations to all of our friends in Rhode Island that can get married starting August 1. Thanks to all who made possible marriage equality in Rhode Island.

COLORADO GETS CIVIL UNIONS

Congratulations to all who made possible the change in Colorado from Domestic Reciprocal Beneficiaries to Civil Unions.

LOVING EVERYWHERE

Check our new initiative: Loving Everywhere.

We are asking couples to send a picture of themselves with a thoughtful letter to each Supreme Court justice explaining the importance of having their marriage recognized not only by the federal government, but also by all 50 states and territories. (This can be achieved by requiring that all states either allow same gender marriages or recognize out of state marriages.)

Send your picture and letter now! Tell your friends and family to do the same.

ARTICLE IN THE BAY AREA REPORTER

Do not miss this article at the Bay Area Reporter that discusses eQualityGiving push for the Omnibus Bill.

Do not miss the new book, by eQualityGiving co-founder, Juan Ahonen-Jover.

The Gay Agenda 2012: All Out is an easy-to-read, comprehensive discussion on how to achieve full legal equality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans.

Read it now!

Check the updated information on the polls for all eQualityGiving endorsed candidates.

PAUL RYAN AND JOE BIDEN ON LGBT EQUALITY

Mitt Romney just announced that Paul Ryan is his VP candidate pick. We are delighted to update our comparison of the presidential candidates on LGBT equality by adding Joe Biden and Paul Ryan.

Check here the positions of Obama, Biden, Romney and Ryan on LGBT equality.

OBAMA AND ROMNEY ON LGBT EQUALITY

Check the new analysis of the positions on equality and LGBT rights from Obama and Romney. It is a simple to read table, and you can click on the headings for full quotes on each position.

WHY WE GAVE $10,000 TO PRESIDENT'S OBAMA RE-ELECTION

Regularly, we post a letter from donors supporting eQualityGiving's endorsed candidates.

After President Obama came out supporting marriage equality, eQualityGiving endorsed him and its founders gave personally $10,000 for his re-election. The story was part of a front page article in The New York Times. Read the endorsement here of President Obama.

ADDED THREE MORE ENDORSED CANDIDATES

Senator Menendez - We met with him, and he's worried about a huge effort to unseat him (a la Daschle and Reid) since he is the DSCC leader. His equality credentials are flawless, and he's polling less than 10% ahead of the GOP/Christie/Koch Brothers SuperPAC candidate Kyrillos.

Trevor Thomas - Openly gay aide to former Gov Granholm, running to unseat the vulnerable Tea Party darling (and 2nd youngest Congressman) Justin Amash in West Michigan.

Jessica Ehrlich - Young lawyer trying to unseat Congressman Bill Young in Florida in a new district with a Democratic majority.

So far we have 15 Endorsed Candidates to Fund and 7 co-endorsed candidates, including President Obama. Check the full list: www.eQualityGiving.org/Endorsed-Candidates

CONNECTICUT BECOMES SECOND STATE TO PROVIDE FULL LEGAL LGBT EQUALITY

Connecticut joins Vermont as the two states that provide full legal equality to LGBT people. See the scorecard of where your state ranks here. Also, take the LGBT equality test to see if you guess correctly the score for your state!

CONNECTICUT ADDS GENDER IDENTITY TO NON-DISCRIMINATION LAW

Today, the Governor of Connecticut signed into law an expansion of the non-discrimination statutes to include gender identity. The statute covers employment, housing, credit, and public accommodations.

WIth this change, Connecticut reaches a 5.5 out of 6 in our State Scorecard.

Currently, Vermont is the only state that provides full legal equality to its citizens (score of 6).

Six states (California, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, New Jersey, and New York) and the District of Columbia achieve a rating of 5.5 out of 6. California, Illinois, and New Jersey can achieve the perfect score of 6 by converting civil unions (Illinois and New Jersey) or domestic partnerships (California) to civil marriage. Iowa can reach a score of 6 by ensuring full parenting rights in all cases. The District of Columbia needs to update its transgender protections for birth certificates. New York can reach a score of 6 by passing GENDA (adding gender identity to employment non-discrimination). Connecticut can achieve it by adding gender identity to the anti-bullying legislation.

DELAWARE ADDS CIVIL UNIONS

The Governor of Delaware has signed into law a Civil Unions legislation that takes effect on January 1, 2012.

Delaware now scores 3.5 out of 6 in our State Scorecard.

PANEL #12: CHANGING HEARTS AND MINDS --- THE CULTURAL WORK OF LGBT ACCEPTANCE

Combine rigorous academic thinking from Harvard and NYU with successful ground work into new insights for changing hearts and minds. Have the discussion moderated by Roberta Achtenberg and there is no better place to spend one hour this Sunday afternoon, March 20, 2011 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm

Clich here to get dialing information.

Click here to ask questions now, whether you will attend in person or not.

This panel is a must for all interested in advancing effectively our equality.

PANEL ON FEDERAL EQUALITY LEGISLATION

On Wednesday, March 16, 2011 from noon to 1 pm EDT, do not miss the panel with Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin and US Senator Jeff Merkley.

You can participate via telephone. Get the dialing information here. You can also ask questions via the internet now (even if you are not able to attend the call).

PANEL ON STATES OF EQUALITY

A discussion with the executive directors of four state organizations to show the spectrum of challenges and opportunities facing our movement in the states.

Participate live on Monday, March 14, 2010 from Noon to 1 pm EDT. See the dialing information and how to ask a question to the panelists now.

PANEL ON ACTING DIFFERENTLY

Don't miss this great eQualityThinking panel on acting differently: civil disobedience, direct action and more.

Tuesday, February 22, 2010 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm EST (9:30 am to 10:30 am).

Click here for the dialing info.

Click here to ask a question now.

Don't miss this panel on The Truth Behind The Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal.

Monday, February 14, Noon to 1:00 pm EST.

Click here for the dialing information. And click here to ask a question to the panelists.

We just held this panel as part of our series of eQualityThinking: Panel #2: Does the "T" in LGBT Mean Anything More than "Token"?

Very interesting issues were revealed such as that we had enough votes to pass an inclusive ENDA in the last Congress. Click on the link above to listen to the audio.

Don't miss the two next panels in eQualityThinking convention for LGBT legal equality:

Panel #2: Does the "T" in LGBT Mean Anything More than "Token"?
This Sunday, January 30, 2011 from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm EST

and

Panel #3: Why HIV Criminalization Matters
Monday, February 7, 2011 from Noon to 1:00 pm EST

To get the dialing instructions and/or ask questions to the panelists, just click on the link for each panel.

Tonight we start eQualityThinking: a free and open virtual convention for full LGBT legal equality. It will run from January 24 to March 31, 2011.

Check all the details here at eQualityThinking.org

ACCOMPLISHMENTS BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS ON LGBT EQUALITY

Andy Tobias, the Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), maintains a list of the accomplishments by the Administration and Congress on LGBT equality. It was in chronological order. He has reorganized the list into three categories: (1) Federal Legislation Signed into Law, (2) Policies Changed, and (3) Respect & Inclusion. Within each category, the entries are in chronological order.

Check the Accomplishments by the Administration and Congress on LGBT Equality.

TO APPEAL OR NOT APPEAL DADT

We have added a new article in our website in which Professor Tobias Wolff discusses the DADT appeal and the court injunction. Very worth reading.

ILLINOIS ADDS SAFE SCHOOLS LEGISLATION

Congratulations to all of those involved in passing Senate Bill 3266 in Illinois. It is an anti-bullying legislation that enumerates sexual orientation and gender identity. It was signed into law on June 27, 2010.

With this new legislation, the equality score for Illinois rises from 4 to 5 (out of 6). Check the states equality scorecard for this state and all states.

ADDED LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM BISHOP ROBINSON

Read the letter from the Reverend Gene Robinson, the openly-gay Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire, in support of Annie Kuster, who is running for US House representing New Hampshire.

ADDED MORE ENDORSED CANDIDATES

On the top of our additional Endorsed Candidates is Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI). He is an Equality Hero and now he needs our support more than ever since he is slightly behind on the polls.

We have also added more Endorsed Candidates. All of them, like Senator Feingold, are totally pro-equality and were interviewed by us. They are:

- Congressman Paul Hodes (D-NH) running for US Senate in New Hampshire.

- State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D-IL) running for US Senate for Illinois (Obama's old seat)

- Randy Parraz (D-AZ) running for US Senate in Arizona

- Annie Kuster running for US House for New Hampshire

- Lincoln Chafee (I-RI) running for Governor of Rhode Island

- Stan Garnett (D-CO) running for Attorney General of Colorado

- Scott Maddox (D-FL) running for Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Read the whole list of eQualityGiving Endorsed Candidates for 2010.

ADDED ALEXI GIANNOULIAS (D-IL) AS AN ENDORSED CANDIDATE FOR US SENATE

Alexi is very outspoken about his total support for equality---with a great emphasis on marriage equality. He will take the senate seat formerly of President Obama.

Check also his impressive video in full support of our equality.

BRAVO ARGENTINA

Argentina is the 10h country to make marriage available to all citizens, irrespective of sexual orientation. The United States continues to lag in being a beacon of freedom. Check the status of our Equality Goals (including marriage equality).

RANDY PARRAZ ENDORSED

We are pleased to announce that eQualityGiving has endorsed Randy Parraz for US Senate in Arizona. He is a graduate of Harvard with a Masters in Public Administration and Berkeley with a law degree. He is fully pro-equality and faces a primary battle. Check more details about him and watch his pro-equality video here.

A PATHWAY TO REPEAL DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL

Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed legislation that would repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell based on certification by the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Join Chiefs of Staff that such action does not affect troop readiness. Similar legislation is expected to pass the Senate in the next few days.

It is expected that by the end of 2010 or early 2011, troups will be allowed to serve openly independently of their sexual orientation. We are looking forward to that day to update our Federal Equality Index.

ENDORSED CANDIDATES FOR 2010

Don't miss our first batch of Endorsed Candidates for 2010. Our endorsement process follows solid, rigorous endorsement criteria that we have published and each candidate is interviewed personally by eQualityGiving. Each candidate is fully pro-equality (including marriage) and has a chance to win.

The end result is a list of candidates for statewide or federal office that deserve our total support (as donors and volunteers).

Check who these candidates are and do all you can so they win and we accelerate getting LGBT legal equality.

WASHINGTON DC ACHIEVES MARRIAGE EQUALITY

The District of Columbia has marriage equality effective March 2, 2010.

This brings the equality score for DC from 4.5 to 5.0: See how your state stands on LGBT equality.

NEW ENDORSED CANDIDATE: DAN HYNES (D) FOR GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS

As with all of our endorsees, Dan Hynes if fully pro-equality. See more information on him and the other eQualityGiving Endorsed Candidates. More endorsements will be coming over the next few weeks.

Also, do not miss the video of Dan Hynes speech during the March on Washington in October 2009.

OPED: HAVE CONGRESS AND OBAMA DONE ENOUGH FOR LGBT EQUALITY?

Check the OpEd that we published in the Bay Area Reporter reviewing this question from different perspectives.

TAKE THIS POLL

How much has the President and Congress done for LGBT equality so far?

Take eQualityGiving's latest poll. It takes less than 30 seconds, and you can see how others voted.

On the same page, check also the comprehensive analysis that we provide about what has been accomplished so far and what needs to be done for LGBT equality.

Tell others to vote too!

STRAIGHT ALLY SPEECH

Check out the speech that Liebe Gadinsky, an straight ally, delivered when accepting the Human Rights Award by the Anti-Defamation League. Very inspirational!

THE DALLAS PRINCIPLES AND ACT ON PRINCIPLES

Check our expanded page about The Dallas Principles (mantra: full LGBT civil rights now. No delay. No excuses.) and its follow up Act On Principles that provides three innovative tools for organizations as well as individuals to take action to achieve full LGBT civil rights now. Check the page here.

STATES SCORECARD

We updated more information to our states scorecard.

But before you look at the results, take this quick gay quiz to check your knowledge of the LGBT rights on your state (or any state you want).

MORE USE OF eQualityGiving's RESEARCH

From: "Garden State Equality" <goldstein@gardenstateequality.org>
Date: December 1, 2009 5:27:14 PM EST
Subject: New study: New Jersey tied for #1 in America for LGBT rights

REPORT: NEW JERSEY TIED FOR #1 IN AMERICA FOR LGBT CIVIL RIGHTS

           A report by the national LGBT organization eQualityGiving.org ranks New Jersey as number one in the United States, tied with three other states, for LGBT civil rights. The States of Equality Scorecard by eQualityGiving, online at www.equalitygiving.org/States-of-Equality-and-Gay-Rights-Scorecard, ranks America's top four states as New Jersey, California, Iowa and Vermont.

           The four states received a 5.5 score on a 6 point scale. No state received a 6.

           "New Jersey ranks number one because our millions of progressive citizens expect nothing less than full equality for everyone," said Steven Goldstein, Chair of Garden State Equality. "Our state is ready for marriage equality now.

           "The people of New Jersey have welcomed each advancement for LGBT civil rights with open arms rather than clenched fists. The only backlash our political leaders should fear is the backlash that would result by not enacting marriage equality. That backlash would be guaranteed."

            Since Garden State Equality's founding in 2004, New Jersey has enacted an unprecedented 210 LGBT civil rights laws at the state, county and local levels.   For the complete list of 210 laws, visit www.gardenstateequality.org/pdfs/210.pdf

            Among the 210 laws:

            Twelve expansions of the domestic partnership law from 2004 to 2006; a civil union law in 2006; a law expanding the Law Against Discrimination to include the transgender community in 2006; and in 2008, a statewide law that simultaneously overhauls the state’s anti-bullying law, expands the state’s hate crimes law to encompass the transgender community, and toughens up the entire hate crimes law to strengthen the fight against all bias-motivated violence.

            Also in 2008, New Jersey became only the second state in the United States, after California, to mandate paid family leave to employees who need to provide care for their same-sex partners.

            And in 2009, in conjunction with his speech at Garden State Equality’s annual Legends Dinner, Governor Corzine signed an executive order mandating that the state indicate gender on driver licenses in accordance with one’s own gender identity or expression, yet another milestone for transgender rights.

A GOOD USE OF eQualityGiving INFORMATION

Here is a good article that uses extensively the ranking that eQualityGiving has created for scoring the states in terms of legal equality for LGBT equality: http://wesblackman.blogspot.com/2009/11/florida-drops-to-43-on-states-of.html

Don't miss the new sets of tools that we have developed to accelerate achieving LGBT legal equality. Check www.ActOnPrinciples.org

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Last Modified 2009-08-30