Freedom

Ballard Partners picked up DC-based Freedom for All Americans organization, which advocates for full non-discrimination protection for LGBTQ people.

Specifically, Ballard Partners is working to encourage Senators to vote in favor of the Equality Act, which the House passed in February.

The Equality Act would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender.

The US Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers support the Equality Act, which some religious groups oppose.

E.g., the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, which says the act “is well-intentioned but ultimately misguided. The Equality Act discriminates against people of faith, threatens unborn life, and undermines the common good."

Kasey Suffredini is president and national campaign manager at Freedom for All Americans.

His group claims people of faith support non-discrimination protections, including eight in ten Catholics, Mormons, American Jews and six in ten Evangelical Protestants.

Suffredini co-chaired the Freedom for All Massachusetts effort that led to the first statewide popular vote on transgender rights. In 2018, it passed by a 68 percent to 38 percent vote.

Brian Ballard, who was president Trump’s top fundraiser in Florida, heads the Ballard Partners team,

Ana Cruz (staffer for Florida’s ex-Democratic Senator Bill Nelson) and Trent Morse (Trump’s liaison to the Dept of Health and Human Services) also work the Freedom for All Americans push.