AFER Executive Director Adam Umhoefer (center) at a press conference, flanked by plaintiffs in Virginia’s marriage equality case, along with lawyers David Boies and Ted Olson (right). (Credit: Diana Walker/AFER.)
The American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) became the latest pro-LGBT organization to announce it was shutting down this week following the legalization of marriage equality nationwide.
In an email to supporters of AFER, the group’s executive director, Adam Umhoefer, praised the progress made with respect to marriage equality while also warning that other fights await the LGBT community with respect to gaining equality in other areas, such as employment, housing or public accommodations.
“Nearly six years ago, the American Foundation for Equal Rights was created with the specific mission of arguing for marriage equality before the U.S. Supreme Court and to, while doing so, dramatically advance the American conversation on equality. And we accomplished that…and so much more,” Umhoefer wrote in his email. “…But, even as we celebrate this amazing milestone, please remember we’re going to have to work harder than ever before to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans have full federal equality — nothing more, and nothing less.”
Among the successes that Umhoefer attributes to AFER are legalizing marriage equality in California and Virginia, bringing together both liberal and conservative supporters to speak with one voice about the importance of marriage equality and how it is not a partisan issue, fighting to overturn bans on same-sex marriage in the courts, and sharing the stories of couples and families affected by the denial of marriage rights to force the American public to pick a side.
“Today, because of you — and the pioneering work of organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Freedom to Marry, Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), Lambda Legal, and the National Council for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) — this group of brave plaintiffs and legal teams have finished the work and won every American the right to marry who they love,” he wrote.
But Umhoefer also stressed the importance of the Equality Act, a congressional piece of legislation which would revise the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity among classes protected under both acts. As a result, anti-LGBT discrimination would be prohibited in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, lending practices, education and jury service.
“The fact is that in 31 states LGBT people have very few clear, consistent legal protections against discrimination. They are still at risk of being fired, denied a job, evicted, bullied, harassed, refused service, or denied access to credit because of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” he wrote.
To show their support for the Equality Act, Umhoefer encouraged supporters of AFER to donate to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), which is now chaired by Chad Griffin, the co-founder and a former chair of AFER.
“It’s going to take all of us to reach the finish line, and we hope you will continue on this journey with Chad and HRC as we turn our sights to securing comprehensive LGBT nondiscrimination protections in this county and to ensuring lasting equality around the globe,” Umhoefer added. “There is much more history to be made. And we hope you will continue on this journey with us.”
Just ahead of formally securing the Democratic nomination earlier this week, U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), the first out transgender member of Congress, announced her intention to run for a leadership role within the House Democratic Caucus.
In a September 14 letter, McBride asked her House Democratic colleagues to support her bid to become a co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, which develops messaging for the caucus.
Axios congressional reporter Andrew Solender shared a copy of the letter on X, writing: "Rep. Sarah McBride makes it official: She's running for leadership. Specifically co-chair of House Democrats' messaging arm."
U.S. Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), an out lesbian who entered Congress after flipping a Republican-held district in 2018, has lost her bid for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.
Craig, 54, was widely considered the more moderate candidate in the race against Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, 46.
Flanagan, who won the primary by nearly 20 points, positioned herself as the progressive candidate at a time when much of the Democratic Party's energy and enthusiasm is coming from its left wing. She earned endorsements from U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Tina Smith -- who is retiring from the seat -- as well as Minneapolis-area Rep. Ilhan Omar.
Dolly Parton, the beloved singer-songwriter, actress, and longtime LGBTQ ally, has died at age 80.
Parton's nephew, Brian Seaver, announced her death in a video posted to her Instagram account.
"My name is Brian Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I'm representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next," Seaver said in the video.
"This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality. As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven't truly felt it 'til now," Seaver continued.
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