Welcome to the Spring/Summer 2025 Silver State Equality newsletter.
In April, Silver State Equality—together with the Nevada Equality Coalition—hosted our semi-annual Equality Lobby Day in Carson City. More than 60 advocates, volunteers, and allies joined us at the State Capitol to speak out in support of pro-equality legislation. Thanks to their advocacy, the voices of LGBTQ+ Nevadans rang loud and clear throughout the legislative building.
As the 83rd Nevada Legislature nears its close, we remain vigilant—tracking key legislation and standing up for the rights of our community. Our priority bills this session, listed below, are moving along through the legislative process:
SB 171: Gender Affirming Care Shield Law
SB 352: Health Insurance Non-Discrimination
AB 416: Prohibiting Book Bans
Stay updated on the status and outcome of the bills by visiting: silverstateequality.org/legislation
We are disappointed to report that a $400,000 Department of Justice grant—awarded to Silver State Equality to combat hate crimes against LGBTQ+ Nevadans—was recently revoked by the federal government. This is part of a coordinated effort by the Trump Administration to strip away critical funding to keep the LGBTQ+ community healthy and safe. While our Stop the Hate Nevada initiative will not move forward as planned, our commitment remains unwavering. We will continue empowering LGBTQ+ Nevadans with the tools to report hate crimes and seek justice.
Learn more below about our exciting upcoming events including the fifth annual Equality Luncheon on June 25 and our annual Silver State Equality Awards on November 12 at KAOS at The Palms!
Read on for more important updates!
André C. Wade
State Director
Silver State Equality
Pronouns: he/him/his
Equality “Lobby” Day in Carson City – April 16
Last month, Silver State Equality and the Nevada Equality Coalition gathered a group of more than 60 LGBTQ+ advocates, volunteers, and allies in Carson City for our 2025 Equality “Lobby” Day.
Together, we met one-on-one with lawmakers and their staff to champion a bold, pro-equality legislative agenda — advocating for stronger protections for LGBTQ+ Nevadans in areas including healthcare, workers’ rights, family building, and more.
Thanks to our collective efforts, three of our priority bills successfully advanced out of their respective houses and continue to move through the legislative process:
SB 171
Nevada’s GenderAffirming Care Shield Law
SB 352
Anti-discrimination protections in insurance
AB 416
A bill to prevent the banning of library books and materials in public schools and public libraries.
OUR MESSAGE IS CLEAR: Nevada must be a place where all LGBTQ+ people have equal rights and are treated with dignity and respect.
The Fight for Fairness in Sports Continues
On April 4, in response to the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association’s (NIAA) harmful policy change excluding transgender athletes, State Director André Wade issued a powerful public statement—generating significant media coverage across Nevada. We remain committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of gender identity or expression, have the right to fully and fairly participate in school sports.
Below is an excerpt from the statement. You can read the full statement here.
“We are deeply disappointed that the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) changed its decade-long inclusive transgender student-athlete policy to one that is exclusionary. That they did this based on the desire of the Lieutenant Governor, members of his Task Force, and Presidential executive orders that are not law, despite their claims, is all the more disheartening. This policy is not only harmful and exclusionary, it is unconstitutional. Nevada’s Equal Rights Amendment, passed overwhelmingly by voters in 2022, explicitly protects individuals from discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression. This change directly contradicts those constitutional protections.”
The first 100 days of the Trump administration have already taken a serious toll on LGBTQ+ people in Nevada and across the nation. From relentless executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion to direct attacks on transgender rights, the pace and intensity of these rollbacks have been difficult to keep up with. We know many in our community are worried about their rights and the country’s direction. That’s why Silver State Equality launched the Equality Brief — a weekly update designed to keep you informed on the latest developments in Washington, D.C., and Carson City that affect LGBTQ+ people, from legislation and policies to executive actions and local initiatives.
STAY IN THE KNOW. Sign up to receive this timely and essential update directly in your inbox.
JUNE 25
SILVER STATE EQUALITY LUNCHEON
Silver State Equality hosts its fifth annual Equality Luncheon, The Gloves Are Off, on Wednesday, June 25 at Tuscany Hotel & Casino, 255 E. Flamingo Rd., Las Vegas, 89169.
Join us for updates on LGBTQ+ specific and inclusive legislation from Nevada’s 83rd Legislative Session, including a review of which bills passed and which did not, and the implications for our community. The Equality Luncheon provides an opportunity to connect with industry leaders, engage in meaningful discussions, and reflect on the progress of Nevada’s LGBTQ+ movement during these challenging times. Tickets and sponsorships are available at SilverStateEquality.org.
NOVEMBER 12
SILVER STATE EQUALITY AWARDS
Join us on Wednesday, Nov. 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. at KAOS at The Palms for the annual Silver State Equality Awards, hosted by RuPaul’s Drag Race’s very own Coco Montrese.
This not-to-be-missed event is attended by influential leaders of the LGBTQ+ movement, elected officials, business and labor leaders, celebrities, and members of the medical and legal communities, among other notables. This year, Silver State Equality will honor the LGBTQ+ Center of Southern Nevada with the Community Leadership Award. Jan Jones Blackhurst will be honored with the Ally Leadership Award. Ticket and sponsorship information here
