Equality Michigan Action Network

Last year, Equality Michigan launched our Rural Pride Collective Coalition, built a new name change program, expanded our Community Education Program, and more! Hear directly from our team on the impact we made in 2025.

Watch Our 2025 Reflections Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Nw8pYL_4Qk

Building (Rainbow) Bridges Across Michigan's Upper Peninsula Midway through our Zoom interview, Carrie Fiocchi's screen freezes. She's calling from a local library in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and the internet

Over the past two years, Equality Michigan has worked to build bridges where there have been significant gaps in resources and connections for the LGBTQ+ community in the UP.

Read More: https://pridesource.com/article/rural-pride-collective-2026

Join us next week, Tuesday, February 17th, for an LGBTQ+ Equality Update. We have partnered with Affirmations to answer community questions about legal and policy items from the last year, insights ahead, and opportunities to engage in 2026.

Sign Up: https://www.mobilize.us/equalitymi/event/897805/

Join us TOMORROW, Wed. Feb. 11, for a special Community Q&A! This event offers a welcoming, inclusive space for LGBTQ+ people, families, and allies to learn more about the rights, protections, and challenges affecting our community today.

Sign Up: https://www.mobilize.us/equalitymi/event/890490/

We have not one, but two phone banks happening TOMORROW, Tuesday, February 10th! Join us in TC, or virtually, to connect with change makers.

Sign Up Today: www.mobilize.us/equalitymi/

There are currently two pending U.S. Supreme Court decisions in cases challenging state laws that aimed to ban transgender people from participating in interscholastic and intercollegiate sports.

While a decision is not expected until spring or early summer, here's what we do know.

RESCHEDULED! Join us TUESDAY, Feb. 10th, to have fun and connect with change makers. Take action together and then enjoy food, games, and a good time.

Sign Up & Show Up: bit.ly/4kfiOsI

Join us next week, Wed. Feb. 11, for a special Community Q&A. This event offers a welcoming, inclusive space for LGBTQ+ people, families, and allies to learn more about the rights, protections, and challenges affecting our community today.

Sign Up: https://www.mobilize.us/equalitymi/event/890490/

Join our latest weekly virtual phone bank tomorrow, Wed. Feb. 4th! These events are one of the most effective ways to build real momentum heading into the midterm elections.

Open to all people! Be a part of the movement: https://www.mobilize.us/equalitymi/event/891725/

Hey TC! Join us Sunday, Feb. 8th, to have fun and connect with change makers. Take action together and then enjoy food, games, and a good time.

Sign Up & Show Up: bit.ly/4q5Vqza

Equality Michigan is entering 2026 with urgency and a deep commitment to showing up for Michiganders in every way possible. Here's what we are focusing on the year ahead!

Donate Today to Support Our Work: https://equalitymi.org/donate/

Join our latest weekly virtual phone bank! These events are one of the most effective ways to build real momentum heading into the midterm elections.

Open to all people! Be a part of the movement: https://www.mobilize.us/equalitymi/event/891725/

Huge thank you for everyone who connected with us at the All Abilities Fair. These community events are so important and we are honored to be a resource for everyone. Don't just take our word for it, check out our resource hub: https://equalitymi.org/lgbtq-resource-hub/

Tomorrow, Friday, January 23rd, EQMI will be at the All Abilities Fair! This event is for community members in search of services related to special needs, mental health, disabilities, and more. Come connect and learn more about the resources available to you.

Join us tomorrow, Thursday, January 22nd, for our first canvassing training of 2026. This session is ideal for anyone seeking to support the advancement of LGBTQ+ equality across Northern Michigan through targeted voter outreach and community engagement.

Sign Up & More Info: bit.ly/4jtlanu

Hey Northern Michigan! Join us next week, Thursday, January 22nd, for our first canvassing training of 2026. This session is ideal for anyone seeking to support the advancement of LGBTQ+ equality across Northern MI through targeted voter outreach and community engagement.

Sign Up: bit.ly/4jtlanu

Hey Northern Michigan! Mark your calendars for Thursday, January 22nd, to join our first canvassing training of 2026. This session is ideal for anyone seeking to support the advancement of LGBTQ+ equality through targeted voter outreach and community engagement.

Sign Up & More Info: bit.ly/4jtlanu

Claire will be serving as our Community Education and Advocacy Intern, aiding with community resources in healthcare, employment, housing, mental health, and more!

Introducing our newest Intern, Claire! She is a U of M student studying Anthropology and Psychology, with a minor in Community Action and Social Change. Her passion for interpersonal dynamics, community mental health, and human relationships is vital now more than ever.

It is your last chance to make a donation in 2025! You've had such an impact this year, now let's make sure you get the credit. Give by TOMORROW Wednesday, Jan. 31st to ensure your donation count towards your 2025 taxes.

Give Now: equalitymi.org/donate

Djinn is a mom raising LGBTQ+ kids. This year, her family lost care, faced barriers at school, and carried the weight of being targeted.

EQMI shows up for families like Djinn’s, fighting for a future where LGBTQ+ kids can thrive.

Donate today at: https://equalitymi.org/donate/

Last week, CMS proposed two federal rules that would severely restrict access to healthcare for trans young people. These rules would force hospitals to stop providing trans healthcare or risk losing funding for all patients. Public pressure CAN still stop them: https://bit.ly/cmspetition-eqmi

This begins a 60 day comment period.

While this is still developing and likely to face numerous legal challenges, it is clear that these proposed rules directly endanger Michigan’s entire healthcare infrastructure. Gender affirming care in Michigan continues to be safe, legal, and life-saving!

Today, the Trump Administration announced proposed rules that aim to restrict transgender young people's access to healthcare, including cutting all Medicare & Medicaid funding from hospitals that provide transgender healthcare to young people. THIS IS NOT A BAN AND THESE RULES AREN’T IN EFFECT YET!

Not everyone gets a happy home for the holidays. Your donation allows us to provide direct support those who need resources in housing, employment, and more. Together we can make sure no faces discrimination alone.

Give Today: equalitymi.org/donate

This weekend, we did our last deep canvassing shift for our Trans Organizing & Narrative Shift (TONS) Project for 2025. We've knocked hundreds of doors and have had hard, sincere, open conversations with our neighbors about the trans community. We are proud to say this will be continuing in 2026!

Last day to enroll!! Have questions about health insurance and gender-affirming care? Out2Enroll has you covered with Trans Health Insurance Guides. Find your state at out2enroll.org/trans-guides and enroll at HealthCare.gov before Dec 15th!

This study adds to the robust and growing body of research proving that gender affirming care for adolescents is a medically necessary, life-saving intervention. Denying or restricting access to that care only endangers vulnerable young people.

New research, published in The Journal of Pediatrics, followed more than 400 midwestern transgender and gender-diverse youth over as long as 5 years. It found that hormone therapy is associated with a 68% drop in suicidality scores. Importantly, nearly every youth remained in care.