Family Equality

It’s the perfect time of year to bundle up and go on an autumn adventure with your loved ones — which is exactly what we did at Family Weekend in the Midwest!??? Last month in Minneapolis, families came together for a magical weekend filled with games, crafts, and trunk or treating! Tony and Dan Porter attended with their children and were especially thrilled to spend so much time with other LGBTQ+ families. “The environment and activities helped our family to feel more accepted in the community, and we were able to create new friendships with other parents — plus, our kids made some new friends!” said Dan. “We are so thankful for Family Equality and the sponsors for hosting this event in the MN Twin Cities.” This event would not have been possible without the support of CARE WITH PRIDE?, which is powered by brands like Neutrogena, Tylenol, Listerine, and Aveeno. This initiative continues to demonstrate true allyship and show genuine care for our families. Thanks to #CAREWITHPRIDE, we know our families are well looked after — whether they’re stocking their homes for flu season or enjoying fall fun at Family Weekend in the Midwest! Thank you!????

NEXT WEEK: On December 3, we’re inviting you to join us in celebrating #GivingTuesday, the global day of generosity! Gift LGBTQ+ families the gift of hope and there's many ways you can help celebrate with us! 1. Donate. Your gift allows us to continue our vital work for LGBTQ+ families. 2. Create a fundraiser. Empower your networks to get in on the fun 3. Spread the word. Post on social media and sending emails to your network. And don't forget that you can make your impact go twice as far! Every dollar given on GivingTuesday, up to $10,000, will be matched thanks to our generous partner Ferring Pharmaceuticals Feeling generous? Donate TODAY! Scott Gatz alexis kantor Beck Fineman Weston Charles-Gallo Don Hribek Alvin McCray Nancy Lyons Scott Ammarell Eliseo Arebalos Adair Curtis Rahsaan DeLain Anthony Hynes Vanessa Leon, MBA Doug London Jim Obergefell Debbie Rice Stephen Switzer Bethany Snyder, MPP

This year, more than 550 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced in state legislatures, many of which targeted LGBTQ+ youth and families specifically. But we know what’s possible when we work together, like families do. On December 3, we’re inviting you to join us in celebrating GivingTuesday, the global day of generosity! Make your impact go twice as far! Every dollar given on GivingTuesday, up to $10,000, will be matched thanks to our generous partner Ferring Pharmaceuticals Scott Gatz alexis kantor Beck Fineman Weston Charles-Gallo Don Hribek Alvin McCray Nancy Lyons Scott Ammarell Eliseo Arebalos Adair Curtis Rahsaan DeLain Anthony Hynes Vanessa Leon, MBA Doug London Jim Obergefell Debbie Rice Stephen Switzer Bethany Snyder, MPP

Join our Director of LGBTQ+ Family Law and Policy, Senior Policy Counsel, Meg York and other panelists from movement partners, Movement Advancement Project (MAP), NCLR – National Center for Lesbian Rights, and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law) for questions you may have about LGBTQ marriage and family protections post-election! Register now: https://lnkd.in/gW-ndNWq

?? Save the Date:?#GivingTuesday, the global day of giving, is upon us! Now more than ever,?#FamilyEquality?needs the support of people like you to continue our work to protect and support the rights of LGBTQ+ families. Your impact can go twice as far on GivingTuesday! Ferring Pharmaceuticals will match all dollars raised up to $10,000 on December 3. Learn how you can celebrate GivingTuesday with a gift of hope for?#LGBTQfamilies?on December 3 below

We've been doing this work for 45 years and we're not stopping now. The fight for equality, freedom, and protection for LGBTQ+ families continues. We're proud to join our movement partners in re-committing to work together to advance LGBTQ+ freedom no matter what the future holds. "We know that so much more work lies ahead of us. Yet as an LGBTQIA2S+ movement, we will continue to work towards what we always have: a country where all LGBTQIA2S+ people are safe, seen, and accepted for who we truly are, without exception. We are here together, and we will move forward. We’ve got this. We’ve got us." Read our full sign-on letter: https://lnkd.in/g38A6ASG

A post-election message from our Interim President & CEO, alexis kantor "Though the results of this election are disappointing to many, Family Equality stands stronger than ever in our commitment to securing a safe and supportive world for all LGBTQ+ families. Our community has overcome countless barriers, and while today’s setbacks are a heavy weight, they are far from the end of our journey. "We know many of our families woke up this morning uncertain and afraid. Many of us had to face impossible conversations with our children, our partners, and our friends about what’s ahead. To every LGBTQ+ family feeling the weight of today — especially those who are transgender, BIPOC, immigrant, low-income, or occupying any identity that has been targeted for harm by our nation’s policies and practices — you are not moving through this moment alone. “As we continue to get a clearer picture of the road ahead, we will work hard to provide you with the resources you need to make informed decisions about yourself and your family. We will create the spaces our families need to feel safe and feel loved. We will share the stories of our families so the truth of who we are cannot be twisted. We will strategize alongside fellow equality champions to push back against whatever is levied against us from schools to statehouses, and we will continue on the path towards progress. “We’ve been doing this work for 45 years and we’re not stopping now. Along with our movement partners, we’ve got this. We’ve got us. The fight continues.”

With less than a week until election day, the Trump-Vance campaign has heightened attacks on the LGBTQ+ community with narratives about “traditional families.” Our Vice President of Public Policy, Luce Remy states, “Regardless of this election cycle, who wins at the top of the ticket, the middle of the ticket and the bottom of the ticket, what has been sparked, is a really fundamental conversation within the LGBTQ+ community, within transgender communities, within the Black community, within the Hispanic [community] about what and how we want to be seen in American society.” Our Interim CEO & President, alexis kantor further believes all American families deserve safety and protection under the law. Read more here:

Family Weekend in the Midwest was fa-boo-lous ??! During the weekend, our families enjoyed our spook-tacular guests like Bullseye the Target Dog, Miz Diagnosis, Magician Greg the Great, and fang-tastic events like the Minnesota Vikings U.S. Bank Tour, Nickelodeon Universe?, and Trunk-or-Treat (hosted by Twin Cities Pride)! It was boo-tiful to see our Midwest families join us at our Family Weekend in Minneapolis for a weekend of community, connection, and unbe-leaf-able memories. It is events like these that are made possible by advocates, allies, and supporters like you! Until next time ghoul-friends! ???? Special thanks to our sponsors! Family Weekend in the Midwest was presented by?Target?and hosted by Family Equality,?Twin Cities Pride,and?Kenvue’s CARE WITH PRIDE?

Progress is us showing up and having the courage to live authentically like our Interim CEO & President, alexis kantor states. In this LGBTQ+ Leaders Roundtable with an incredible panel of powerful and fierce LGBTQ+ leaders, they dive deep into key issues faced by our community, what's at stake this upcoming presidential election, and an eye toward 2025 for?#EqualityforAll. Watch the roundtable here: https://lnkd.in/gAXA5ZEJ Panelists include: Kelley Robinson, Human Rights Campaign Jaymes Black, The Trevor Project Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, Advocates for Trans Equality Imani Rupert-Gordon, NCLR – National Center for Lesbian Rights