With more than two decades of experience working with LGBTQ+ youth and families, Lewis will spearhead bold new efforts to bring community and visibility to LGBTQ+ families in all pockets of U.S. 

New York, NY — Family Equality, the leading national nonprofit for current and future LGBTQ+ families, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Ted Lewis (any pronouns) as its new Vice President of Programs. Bringing more than two decades of experience working for and with the LGBTQ+ community, Lewis is poised to lead Family Equality’s programming team as it embarks on new, innovative endeavors to bring community and support directly to families across the country. 

“I am truly honored to be joining the amazing team at Family Equality during this pivotal moment in our community’s fight for equal rights, equitable access to family formation options, and the ability to sustain healthy, happy, love-filled families that are recognized and celebrated,” says Ted Lewis, Vice President of Programs. “Love indeed makes a family, but it is our rights and freedoms that ensure our families are safe, affirmed, and respected. And I am excited to be a part of the Family Equality team as we fight to protect our families and ensure all LGBTQ+ people can experience the joys of family.”

“In today’s landscape, LGBTQ+ families need community, answers, and advocates on the local, statewide, and national stage,” says Darra Gordon, CEO of Family Equality. “Ted doesn’t just understand what LGBTQ+ families are facing right now. They’ve spent their career showing up for them. This is exactly the leadership we need as we work to ensure that no family is left without community, support, or someone in their corner.” 

As Vice President of Programs, Lewis will bring Family Equality into a new chapter of programming, focusing heavily on fostering authentic, local community-building and regional belonging in all corners of the United States as well as leading research and education initiatives to equip families and allies with the information they need to navigate a complex legal and social landscape. At a time when politicians and school boards alike are attempting to erase the freedoms of LGBTQ+ families, their appointment marks a renewed investment in offering direct support, connection, education, and visibility to the community at a time when they need it most. 

Prior to joining the team at Family Equality, Lewis served as the Executive Director of Rainbow Families, a local LGBTQ+ family organization in Washington, D.C. They also served as Director of Youth Well-Being for the Human Rights Campaign, and the Executive Director of Side by Side, a Richmond, VA based LGBTQ+ youth organization. Ted’s early career was in inaugural higher education LGBTQ+ positions at UNC Charlotte and the University of Richmond.

“Ted has been an extraordinary part of our team at a particularly important moment for our families,” writes Sean Carlson, President of the Board of Directors for Rainbow Families. “At a time of growing uncertainty, our community turns to organizations like Rainbow Families and Family Equality, and to leaders like Ted, for connection, compassion, and a true sense of belonging. Ted has given Rainbow Families not only their leadership, but their unwavering belief in the power of community and what it can mean in people’s lives. Under their leadership, families found connection, children found belonging, and so many people found their way into community for the very first time. While we have enormous shoes to fill, we’re deeply grateful that Ted won’t be far from us at all. We’re thrilled to continue this shared work alongside our friends at Family Equality as we keep building a stronger, more connected future for all our families.”

“All of us at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) are thrilled to welcome Ted as the Vice President of Programs at Family Equality,” says Ellen Kahn, Senior Vice President of Equality Programs at HRC.  “Ted comes into this role knowing exactly what the landscape is like for our youth and families right now, and Ted has a proven record of leading change in the systems and institutions we rely on to help us thrive. Ted brings their entire heart, soul, and incredible smarts to everything they do, and all of us are lucky that Ted will be part of our national movement for equality.”

Lewis received their MEd in Higher Education from the University of South Carolina and their BA in English & History from the University of Mary Washington. They live in Richmond, VA with their partner, Jacob.

Lewis begins their role on the first day of Pride Month, June 1 — a reminder of Family Equality’s commitment to protecting and supporting LGBTQ+ families not just during this pivotal time but all year-round. 

Family Equality is the only national nonprofit dedicated to protecting and advancing the freedoms of all LGBTQ+ families through bold advocacy, powerful community building, and transformative education. 

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