{{Infobox organization |name = Forum for Equality |image = File:Forum for Equality logo.png |type = |caption = The Forum for Equality logo |map = Map of USA LA.svg |map_size = 225px |map_caption = U.S. State of Louisiana |region_served = Louisiana |location = New Orleans, Louisiana |formation = 1989 |key_people = SarahJane Brady, executive director |website = {{URL|http://forumforequality.org}} }} '''Forum for Equality''' is a Louisiana-based statewide LGBTQ civil rights advocacy group that was founded in 1989. The major focus of this group is on the political process, in which it encourages members to participate through reminders of upcoming elections, campaigns promoting awareness of legislation that affects the LGBT community, and rallies to demonstrate popular support for LGBT civil rights.<ref name="ffe-aboutus">{{cite web | url=http://forumforequality.org/wp/about-us/mission-accomplishments/ | title=Mission & Accomplishments | work=Forum for Equality | accessdate=December 26, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228070928/http://forumforequality.org/wp/about-us/mission-accomplishments/ | archive-date=December 28, 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The group also works to educate the LGBT community in Louisiana about the issues that affect the community as a whole.<ref name="ffe-aboutus" /> The organization is a member of the Equality Federation.<ref name="ffe-aboutus" /><ref name="eqfed-members">{{cite web |url=http://equalityfederation.org/members | title=Member Organizations | work=Equality Federation | accessdate=January 14, 2014}}</ref>
==Legal work== In 2004, Forum for Equality filed a lawsuit, ''Forum for Equality v. New Orleans'', to overturn Amendment 1, a state level ballot initiative which amended Louisiana's constitution to define marriage as being exclusively heterosexual. The organization had pledged to file the suit should the initiative pass.<ref name="mjs904">{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1683&dat=20040919&id=AqgaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Y0UEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6552,7606685 | title=Louisiana voters decide on gay marriage issue | work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | date=September 19, 2004 | agency=Associated Press | accessdate=December 28, 2014 }}{{Dead link|date=December 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref name="blade904">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=20040919&id=WWJPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JAQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6697,979057 | title=Louisiana votes for ban on same-sex marriages | work=The Blade | date=September 19, 2004 | accessdate=December 28, 2014 | location=Toledo, Ohio | pages=A3}}</ref> After lower state courts ruled against the amendment,<ref name="shj1004">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=20041006&id=c28pAAAAIBAJ&sjid=StAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6885,2296138 | title=Judge throws out amendment banning gay marriage | work=Spartanburg Herald-Journal | date=October 6, 2004 | agency=Associated Press | accessdate=December 28, 2014 | author=Nossiter, Adam}}</ref> the Louisiana Supreme Court ultimately rejected the suit, claiming the voters in Louisiana had expressed their polls through the ballot box, and suggested that gay and lesbian couples should seek co-ownership of property, ignoring the other legal rights denied to gay and lesbian couples.<ref name="rejected the suit">{{cite web | url=http://marriage.about.com/od/samesexmarriage/qt/louisianagay.htm | title=Same-Sex Marriage in Louisiana | work=About.com | accessdate=December 28, 2014 | author=Stritof, Sheri | archive-date=February 19, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219135102/http://marriage.about.com/od/samesexmarriage/qt/louisianagay.htm | url-status=dead }}</ref>
Forum For Equality filed a lawsuit on behalf of four couples on February 12, 2014, seeking recognition of same-sex marriages established in other jurisdictions.<ref name="wgno1214">{{cite news | url=http://wgno.com/2014/02/12/gay-lesbian-couples-sue-for-marriage-equality/ | title=Gay & Lesbian Couples Sue For Marriage Equality | work=WGNO | date=February 12, 2014 | accessdate=February 28, 2014 | last=Trotter | first=Darian}}</ref> On March 18, Judge Feldman consolidated the cases with another case filed in January 2014 challenging the state's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, ''Robicheaux v. George''<ref name="houma214">{{cite news | url=http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20140216/ARTICLES/140219712 | title=Local same sex couple sues state | work=Houma Today | date=February 16, 2014 | accessdate=February 28, 2014 | last=Wilson | first=Xerxes | archive-date=December 28, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228090511/http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20140216/ARTICLES/140219712 | url-status=dead }}</ref> under the name ''Robicheaux v. Caldwell''. Oral arguments on motions for summary judgment were held on June 25, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Litigation in Louisiana|url=http://www.freedomtomarry.org/litigation/entry/louisiana|work=Freedom to Marry.org|accessdate=25 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427011911/http://www.freedomtomarry.org/litigation/entry/louisiana|archive-date=27 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> On September 3, Judge Feldman ruled for the defendants and upheld the state's constitutional ban on same-sex marriages.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Snow|first1=Justin|title=Federal judge finds Louisiana same-sex marriage ban constitutional|url=http://www.metroweekly.com/2014/09/federal-judge-finds-louisiana-same-sex-marriage-ban-constitutional/|accessdate=September 3, 2014|work=Metro Weekly|date=September 3, 2014}}</ref> All parties asked the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to set an expedited briefing schedule to allow an appeal to be heard alongside ''De Leon v. Perry'', a Texas case.<ref>{{cite news|title=State's Motion to Expedite Appeal|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/240324150/14-31037-Motion-to-Expedite |accessdate=September 20, 2014|publisher=Scribd.com|date=September 19, 2014}}</ref> The Fifth Circuit granted that request on September 25.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Denniston |first1=Lyle|title=Texas, Louisiana same-sex marriage cases linked|url=http://www.scotusblog.com/2014/09/texas-louisiana-same-sex-marriage-cases-linked/|accessdate=September 26, 2014|work=SCOTUSblog|date=September 25, 2014}}</ref> The Fifth Circuit has scheduled oral argument in this case and in ''De Leon v. Perry'' for January 9, 2015. On November 20, the plaintiffs filed a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari before judgment, that is, to hear the case, now ''Robicheaux v. George'', without waiting for a decision from the Fifth Circuit.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Geidner |first1=Chris|title=Louisiana Same-Sex Couples Ask Supreme Court To Hear Their Marriage Case |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/chrisgeidner/louisiana-same-sex-couples-ask-supreme-court-to-hear-their-m|accessdate=November 20, 2014|work=BuzzFeed News|date=November 20, 2014}}</ref> The state supported that request on December 2.<ref>{{cite web |title=State's Brief in support of cert before judgment|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/248942687/14-596-Louisiana-Response-to-Cert-Petition |website=Scribd.com|publisher=Supreme Court of the United States |accessdate= December 2, 2014}}</ref>
==Political work== In 2008, the group attempted to convince Governor Bobby Jindal not to allow an Executive Order signed by former Governor Kathleen Blanco that protected LGBT employees from discrimination in Louisiana to lapse. However, the Governor stated that he did not feel renewal of the Executive Order was necessary.<ref name="advocate808">{{cite news | title=Jindal to let gay bias order die | work=The Advocate | date=August 21, 2008 | author=Ballard, Mark | location=Baton Rouge, LA | pages=01A}}</ref>
In 2009, The Forum met with Louisiana's state Council on Marriage and the Family, a body appointed by conservative Republican Governor Jindal. The video presentation was intended to make the case for easing legal restrictions that bar LGBT families from adopting children in Louisiana.<ref name="adopting children">{{cite news | url=http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=10861417 | title=Gay adoption debate discussed at LA Capitol | work=KSLA | date=August 6, 2009 | accessdate=December 28, 2014 | author=Spunt, David | archive-date=December 28, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228070850/http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=10861417 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The final decision was to maintain the status quo, which the Forum considered to be a compromise. In effect, single LGBT people can adopt in Louisiana, however, couples cannot.<ref name="final decision">{{cite news | url=http://www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/the-gay-parent-trap/Content?oid=1257002 | title=The Gay Parent Trap | work=Gambit | date=May 11, 2009 | accessdate=December 28, 2014 | author=Winkler-Schmit, David | archive-date=December 28, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228070946/http://www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/the-gay-parent-trap/Content?oid=1257002 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|LGBTQ|United States}} * LGBT rights in Louisiana * LGBT history in Louisiana * Same-sex marriage in Louisiana * List of LGBT rights organizations
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
==External links== * {{official website|http://forumforequality.org}}
{{EqFed}} {{LGBT in the United States}}
Category:LGBTQ law in the United States Category:LGBTQ political advocacy groups in Louisiana Category:American organizations established in 1989 Category:1989 establishments in Louisiana Category:Louisiana law Category:Non-profit organizations based in New Orleans Category:Equality Federation