• by Danielle Oster , February 5, 2025

Family Equality, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing equality for LGBTQ+ families, is welcoming a new leader.

The organization announced the hiring of Darra Gordon as its new CEO, effective March 3.

Gordon will replace Interim CEO Alexis Kantor, following a leadership transition. In a statement, Scott Gatz, Chair of Family Equality’s board of directors, expressed gratitude to Kantor for stepping into the interim chief executive role, which he said “ allowed us to continue our important work advancing equality for LGBTQ+ families without skipping a beat.”

Kantor will return to a position as co-chair of the organization’s board of directors alongside Gatz.

Gordon joins Family Equality following more than six years with national LGBTQ+ advocacy nonprofit GLAAD, where was deputy president and COO. She also served more 15 years with LGBTQIA+ youth service programming organization Hetrick-Martin Institute, most recently as COO.

According to an announcement released by Family Equality, Gordon takes on the role aiming to strengthen its partnerships and amplify LGBTQ+ family voices across the country. Among the national corporate sponsorship partners currently listed on the organization’s website are Fidelity Investments, Gerber, Kenvue, Playbill, Warner Discovery, and Target – although it’s unclear if the latter is ongoing, given Target’s recent rollback of DEI initiatives.

Gordon  arrives in the role at a critical time for LGBTQ+ families, whose rights are currently under threat due to recent legislative and executive actions.

“This is a vulnerable time for our community and for Family Equality,” Gordon said in a statement. “But it is also a time of incredible possibility. Family is a great uniter. Together, we will rise to meet the challenges ahead, ensuring that the organization remains strong, steadfast, and impactful for generations to come.”