National LGBT Community Organizations
CenterLink
CenterLink was founded in 1994 as a member-based coalition to support the development of strong, sustainable LGBT community centers. The organization has played an important role in supporting the growth of LGBT centers across the country and addressing the challenges they face, by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity and increase access to public resources. Based in Fort Lauderdale, FL, CenterLink works with other national organizations to advance the rights of LGBT individuals and to provide LGBT community centers with information and analysis of key issues.
Serving over 200 LGBT community centers across the country in 46 states and the District of Columbia, as well as centers in Canada, Israel, Mexico, China and Peru, CenterLink assists newly forming community centers and helps strengthen existing LGBT centers, through networking opportunities for center leaders, peer-based technical assistance and training, and a variety of capacity building services. Our efforts are based on the belief that LGBT community centers are primary change agents in the national movement working toward the liberation and empowerment of LGBT people. Serving over 600,000 people, they are the heart and soul of the LGBT movement and are vital to our current well-being and dreams for the future. Whether they provide direct services, educate the public or organize for social change, community centers work more closely with their LGBT constituency and engage more community leaders and decision-makers than any other LGBT network in the country.
Centers serve a vital and multi-faceted role in many communities across the country. They are often the only staffed non-profit LGBT presence in the area and the first point of contact for people seeking information, coming out, accessing services or organizing for social change. 40% of LGBT centers provide direct health care and 10% of these centers exclusively serve LGBT communities of color, youth, seniors or women. At the same time, half of the LGBT community centers have budgets under $50,000 and no full-time staff.
A fundamental goal of our mission is to help build the capacity of centers to meet the social, cultural, health and political advocacy needs of LGBT community members across the country. CenterLink also acts as a voice for LGBT community centers in national grassroots organizing, coalition building and social activism in order to strengthen and build a unified center movement.
Website: www.lgbtcenters.org
Serving over 200 LGBT community centers across the country in 46 states and the District of Columbia, as well as centers in Canada, Israel, Mexico, China and Peru, CenterLink assists newly forming community centers and helps strengthen existing LGBT centers, through networking opportunities for center leaders, peer-based technical assistance and training, and a variety of capacity building services. Our efforts are based on the belief that LGBT community centers are primary change agents in the national movement working toward the liberation and empowerment of LGBT people. Serving over 600,000 people, they are the heart and soul of the LGBT movement and are vital to our current well-being and dreams for the future. Whether they provide direct services, educate the public or organize for social change, community centers work more closely with their LGBT constituency and engage more community leaders and decision-makers than any other LGBT network in the country.
Centers serve a vital and multi-faceted role in many communities across the country. They are often the only staffed non-profit LGBT presence in the area and the first point of contact for people seeking information, coming out, accessing services or organizing for social change. 40% of LGBT centers provide direct health care and 10% of these centers exclusively serve LGBT communities of color, youth, seniors or women. At the same time, half of the LGBT community centers have budgets under $50,000 and no full-time staff.
A fundamental goal of our mission is to help build the capacity of centers to meet the social, cultural, health and political advocacy needs of LGBT community members across the country. CenterLink also acts as a voice for LGBT community centers in national grassroots organizing, coalition building and social activism in order to strengthen and build a unified center movement.
Website: www.lgbtcenters.org
Friend Factor
Friendfactor is pioneering a new model of online organizing that will bring new supporters to the gay* rights movement. The online platform has the power to reach millions of friends.Through public education and advocacy tools, Friendfactor cultivates new “champions of freedom,” people who, when asked to support their gay* and transgender friends, will do so. Gay* friends matter more than gay* issues for most people, but many friends don’t know what’s at stake or how to help, and most gay* and transgender Americans don’t know how to ask. Friendfactor seeks to fill that gap and shift the gay* rights dialogue away from ideology and toward a more personal and inclusive concept: friends helping friends.
Go there - sign up. It's easy - you can use your Facebook to login.
Website: http://www.friendfactor.org/
Go there - sign up. It's easy - you can use your Facebook to login.
Website: http://www.friendfactor.org/
Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
We believe that such an atmosphere engenders a positive sense of self, which is the basis of educational achievement and personal growth. Since homophobia and heterosexism undermine a healthy school climate, we work to educate teachers, students and the public at large about the damaging effects these forces have on youth and adults alike. We recognize that forces such as racism and sexism have similarly adverse impacts on communities and we support schools in seeking to redress all such inequities.
GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes in creating a more vibrant and diverse community. We welcome as members any and all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or occupation, who are committed to seeing this philosophy realized in K-12 schools.
Website: www.glsen.org
We believe that such an atmosphere engenders a positive sense of self, which is the basis of educational achievement and personal growth. Since homophobia and heterosexism undermine a healthy school climate, we work to educate teachers, students and the public at large about the damaging effects these forces have on youth and adults alike. We recognize that forces such as racism and sexism have similarly adverse impacts on communities and we support schools in seeking to redress all such inequities.
GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes in creating a more vibrant and diverse community. We welcome as members any and all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or occupation, who are committed to seeing this philosophy realized in K-12 schools.
Website: www.glsen.org
Get Equal
Our mission is to empower the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community and our allies to take bold action to demand full legal and social equality, and to hold accountable those who stand in the way.
We envision a society in which LGBTQ people experience equal protection under the law, and are free from cultural and social transphobia/homophobia, without caveat or compromise. To that end, GetEQUAL will inspire and equip the LGBTQ community and allies to fight back against discrimination in a way that builds power and personal agency, encourage LGBTQ people to take our place to push forward progressive change as equals, and to build bridges with all who struggle for justice and dignity in their lives.
GetEQUAL will work toward this mission and vision by:
This work will involve many different avenues for supporters to take action individually, including both online and offline mechanisms within the context of sustained campaigns. Some of the mechanisms we intend to make use of in this work are:
Website: http://getequal.org/
We envision a society in which LGBTQ people experience equal protection under the law, and are free from cultural and social transphobia/homophobia, without caveat or compromise. To that end, GetEQUAL will inspire and equip the LGBTQ community and allies to fight back against discrimination in a way that builds power and personal agency, encourage LGBTQ people to take our place to push forward progressive change as equals, and to build bridges with all who struggle for justice and dignity in their lives.
GetEQUAL will work toward this mission and vision by:
- Building and authentically engaging a movement of people poised to take action, both online and offline, to create and sustain a critical mass demanding full equality
- Organizing direct actions that lead to moments of crisis in existing power structures – moments that result in more power for our allies in the movement and the political will for elected officials to resolve that conflict
- Illuminating and grounding our organizing work in the lived experience of discrimination and multiple oppressions
- Creating meaningful avenues for straight allies in our organizing work
- Refusing to count as friends those who stand in the way of equality — regardless of party affiliation or individual/organizational agendas
- Challenging false frameworks that claim legal and social equality for LGBT Americans has already arrived
- Engaging in relational organizing – meaning that we will strive to create deep and authentic relationships with supporters as often as possible, and that we will provide clear ways for supporters to take action with meaningful results
This work will involve many different avenues for supporters to take action individually, including both online and offline mechanisms within the context of sustained campaigns. Some of the mechanisms we intend to make use of in this work are:
- Online calls to action via email and social networks
- Direct actions that strategically target those with decision-making power
- Townhall meetings in local communities
- Training sessions on the history, strategy, and tactics of direct action
- Centralized online organizing hub
- Online toolkit to support local organizers’ work in their own communities
- Professional consulting and advice on direct action campaign planning
- Coordinated, distributed actions
Website: http://getequal.org/
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
The Human Rights Campaign represents a grassroots force of over 750,000 members and supporters nationwide. As the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, HRC envisions an America where LGBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.
What We Do
As the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, the Human Rights Campaign represents a grassroots force of over 750,000 members and supporters nationwide — all committed to making HRC’s vision a reality.
Founded in 1980, the Human Rights Campaign advocates on behalf of LGBT Americans, mobilizes grassroots actions in diverse communities, invests strategically to elect fair-minded individuals to office and educates the public about LGBT issues.
Mission StatementHRC envisions an America where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are ensured equality and embraced as full members of the American family at home, at work and in every community.
Focus on Diversity
In a world defined by difference, our strength depends on our common humanity. HRC unites diverse communities into a powerful whole striving for equality. Learn about HRC’s diversity initiatives.
Educational Outreach
HRC’s research and educational programs engage LGBT and straight-supportive Americans in an ongoing dialogue about equality. Find out more about these groundbreaking outreach programs.
Media Outreach
HRC works with the news media to showcase a pro-equality message and produces its own media programs, demonstrating the breadth of LGBT life. Learn more about HRC’s media work.
HRC Publications
HRC produces a variety of high-quality resources on topics ranging from coming out to legal and political issues affecting LGBT Americans. Find out more about HRC’s publications.
Website: www.hrc.org
What We Do
As the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, the Human Rights Campaign represents a grassroots force of over 750,000 members and supporters nationwide — all committed to making HRC’s vision a reality.
Founded in 1980, the Human Rights Campaign advocates on behalf of LGBT Americans, mobilizes grassroots actions in diverse communities, invests strategically to elect fair-minded individuals to office and educates the public about LGBT issues.
Mission StatementHRC envisions an America where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are ensured equality and embraced as full members of the American family at home, at work and in every community.
Focus on Diversity
In a world defined by difference, our strength depends on our common humanity. HRC unites diverse communities into a powerful whole striving for equality. Learn about HRC’s diversity initiatives.
Educational Outreach
HRC’s research and educational programs engage LGBT and straight-supportive Americans in an ongoing dialogue about equality. Find out more about these groundbreaking outreach programs.
Media Outreach
HRC works with the news media to showcase a pro-equality message and produces its own media programs, demonstrating the breadth of LGBT life. Learn more about HRC’s media work.
HRC Publications
HRC produces a variety of high-quality resources on topics ranging from coming out to legal and political issues affecting LGBT Americans. Find out more about HRC’s publications.
Website: www.hrc.org
National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE)
The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) is a 501(c)3 social justice organization dedicated to advancing the equality of transgender people through advocacy, collaboration and empowerment.
NCTE was founded in 2003 by transgender activists who saw the urgent need for a consistent voice in Washington DC for transgender people.
NCTE provides this presence by monitoring federal activity and communicating this activity to our members around the country, providing congressional education, and establishing a center of expertise on transgender issues.
NCTE also works to strengthen the transgender movement and individual investment in this movement by highlighting opportunities for coalition building, promoting available resources, and providing technical assistance and training to transpeople and our allies
NCTE sees this type of assistance as strengthening new and existing transgender organizations and our allies, initiating coalition building, and empowering state and local advocates who can mobilize on the federal level.
NCTE also maintains a federal transgender activists’ network. We understand that there are many individuals and organizations working to increase the civil rights of transgender people and providing needed resources and efforts. By maintaining a network of these activists we can connect people who are looking for transgender-related information with the individual or organization that can best assist them.
Please contact us if you would like to be added to this network and let us know what information you can provide to those seeking assistance.
Website: www.transequality.org
NCTE was founded in 2003 by transgender activists who saw the urgent need for a consistent voice in Washington DC for transgender people.
NCTE provides this presence by monitoring federal activity and communicating this activity to our members around the country, providing congressional education, and establishing a center of expertise on transgender issues.
NCTE also works to strengthen the transgender movement and individual investment in this movement by highlighting opportunities for coalition building, promoting available resources, and providing technical assistance and training to transpeople and our allies
NCTE sees this type of assistance as strengthening new and existing transgender organizations and our allies, initiating coalition building, and empowering state and local advocates who can mobilize on the federal level.
NCTE also maintains a federal transgender activists’ network. We understand that there are many individuals and organizations working to increase the civil rights of transgender people and providing needed resources and efforts. By maintaining a network of these activists we can connect people who are looking for transgender-related information with the individual or organization that can best assist them.
Please contact us if you would like to be added to this network and let us know what information you can provide to those seeking assistance.
Website: www.transequality.org
National Gay & Lesbian Task Force
The mission of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is to build the political power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community from the ground up. We do this by training activists, organizing broad-based campaigns to defeat anti-LGBT referenda and advance pro-LGBT legislation, and by building the organizational capacity of our movement. Our Policy Institute, the movement’s premier think tank, provides research and policy analysis to support the struggle for complete equality and to counter right-wing lies. As part of a broader social justice movement, we work to create a nation that respects the diversity of human expression and identity and creates opportunity for all.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund, founded in 1973 and incorporated in 1974, works to build the grassroots political power of the LGBT community to win complete equality. We do this through direct and grassroots lobbying to defeat anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and legislation and pass pro-LGBT legislation and other measures. We also analyze and report on the positions of candidates for public office on issues of importance to the LGBT community. NGLTF, Inc., is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation incorporated in New York. Contributions to NGLTF, Inc., are not tax-deductible.
Website: www.thetaskforce.org
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund, founded in 1973 and incorporated in 1974, works to build the grassroots political power of the LGBT community to win complete equality. We do this through direct and grassroots lobbying to defeat anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and legislation and pass pro-LGBT legislation and other measures. We also analyze and report on the positions of candidates for public office on issues of importance to the LGBT community. NGLTF, Inc., is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation incorporated in New York. Contributions to NGLTF, Inc., are not tax-deductible.
Website: www.thetaskforce.org
Out & Equal
Out & Equal provides widely recognized value to individuals and organizations through a range of programs designed to educate and empower, including our Building Bridges, LGBT Diversity Training, and Out & Equal University webinar series. Out & Equal mobilizes tens of thousands of professional staff, managers and executives in Out & Equal regional affiliate networks and our Employee Resource Group Registry. Through LGBTCareerLink, an online job search and career development portal, Out & Equal serves diversity friendly employers and LGBT job seekers.
Out & Equal has earned the trust and respect of LGBT employees and employers for producing the best attended, most informative and most inspiring summit on LBGT workplace issues.
Website: http://outandequal.org
Out & Equal has earned the trust and respect of LGBT employees and employers for producing the best attended, most informative and most inspiring summit on LBGT workplace issues.
Website: http://outandequal.org
TransYouth Family Allies
TYFA empowers children and families by partnering with educators, service providers and communities, to develop supportive environments in which gender may be expressed and respected. We envision a society free of suicide and violence in which ALL children are respected and celebrated.
We work to create a society free of suicide and violence in which ALL children are respected and celebrated. Specifically, TransYouth Family Allies will work to:
In carrying out its mission, TransYouth Family Allies is guided by the following principles:
Website: www.imatyfa.org
We work to create a society free of suicide and violence in which ALL children are respected and celebrated. Specifically, TransYouth Family Allies will work to:
- Educate and inform schools, healthcare professionals, daycare centers, courts and legal representatives, child welfare agencies and communities about discrimination on the basis of gender identity or gender expression.
- Eliminate harassment, oppression, and violence motivated by ignorance, fear, and hatred of transgender children and youth.
- Work to inform citizens, including legislators about advances in medical science and current standards of care with regard to the legal status of transgendered and gender variant children.
- Work to form alliances with organizations and individuals to help achieve support services for the transgender and gender variant children of America, so that they and their families may find the services and support that they need to live their lives free of harassment and obstruction.
In carrying out its mission, TransYouth Family Allies is guided by the following principles:
- All children, regardless of individual socioeconomic conditions, age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, family status or military status should have an opportunity to be represented by our organization.
- The interests and concerns of all transgender and gender variant children are valuable and should be heard and fairly represented. This includes all classes, subgroups, and minorities.
- Mutual benefit can be achieved by working with other organizations in the pursuit of civil and human rights for transgender and gender variant children.
Website: www.imatyfa.org
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources including our nationwide, 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline, digital community and advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone.
The Trevor Project operates three core program areas in order to provide life-saving and life-affirming resources for LGBTQ youth and to create safe, accepting and inclusive environments for all young people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Website: http://www.thetrevorproject.org
Phone: 1-866-4-U-TREVOR
The Trevor Project operates three core program areas in order to provide life-saving and life-affirming resources for LGBTQ youth and to create safe, accepting and inclusive environments for all young people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Website: http://www.thetrevorproject.org
Phone: 1-866-4-U-TREVOR
Victory Fund
The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund works to elect LGBT leaders to public office for one simple reason. They change America's politics.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender office holders are our clearest and most convincing champions for true equality. As leaders in government, they become the face and voice of a community. They challenge the lies of extremists and speak authentically about themselves, their families and their community.
Since 1991, the Victory Fund has helped thousands of openly LGBT candidates win election to local, state and federal offices.
Website: http://www.victoryfund.org
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender office holders are our clearest and most convincing champions for true equality. As leaders in government, they become the face and voice of a community. They challenge the lies of extremists and speak authentically about themselves, their families and their community.
Since 1991, the Victory Fund has helped thousands of openly LGBT candidates win election to local, state and federal offices.
Website: http://www.victoryfund.org
