NEAT History: Marriage Equality Campaigns Since 2012

A NEAT History

In autumn 2012, Marriage Equality USA (MEUSA) convened 20 local, regional, and national organizations to back marriage campaigns across Maryland, Washington, Maine, and Minnesota. The effort's success and the encouraging responses from local campaign partners led the coalition to rebrand as the National Equality Action Team (NEAT), growing to more than 50 organizations that kept running phone banks—both in person and remote—alongside canvass weekends.

By the time NEAT wrapped up its final marriage action in 2014, the group had taken part in 13 successful marriage campaigns and contributed over 100,000 phone calls and thousands of door knocks to local campaigns' totals.

In 2015, NEAT backed its first non-marriage campaign: the push to pass the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO). In 2016, as MEUSA wound down operations, the NEAT program moved to Freedom for All Americans (FFAA) to join the work of securing comprehensive LGBTQ+ non-discrimination protections nationwide. That year NEAT kept expanding and began addressing a broader range of issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.

In 2017, following tremendous success, NEAT became an independent organization devoted to harnessing and building the unique power of everyday people and partners anywhere—so they can make extraordinary change together for LGBTQ+ Justice everywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions About NEAT's History

When was NEAT founded?
NEAT traces its origins to fall 2012, when Marriage Equality USA (MEUSA) brought together 20 local, regional, and national organizations to support marriage campaigns in Maryland, Washington, Maine and Minnesota. That coalition was later rebranded as the National Equality Action Team (NEAT).
Why was the coalition renamed NEAT?
According to the history above, the rebrand followed the success of the 2012 marriage campaign effort and the positive feedback from local campaign partners. The coalition was renamed the National Equality Action Team and expanded to 50+ organizations.
What kinds of actions has NEAT organized?
NEAT has hosted phone banks (both in person and remote) and canvass weekends. Its first non-marriage campaign was support for the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) in 2015.
How many marriage campaigns did NEAT participate in?
By the time NEAT completed its last marriage action in 2014, the group had participated in 13 successful marriage campaigns and added over 100,000 phone calls and thousands of door knocks to the totals of local campaigns.
When did NEAT become an independent organization?
In 2016, as part of MEUSA ending operations, the NEAT program was transferred to Freedom for All Americans (FFAA). In 2017, after tremendous success, NEAT became an independent organization dedicated to harnessing the power of everyday people and partners to make change together for LGBTQ+ Justice everywhere.
Where can I learn more about NEAT's work?
Visit the Our Work page to see previous phone banks, town halls, canvassing and other actions, or read Who We Are for NEAT's mission and values.

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