6 Organizations Helping The LGBTQ+ Community At State & Local Levels
While the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights has come a long way in recent years, there's still more to be done. Organizations that operate on a national or global level do great work, but it's also important to have groups focused on smaller areas, like states or cities, that can hone in on local issues and provide their community with what they need. If you want to help provide this kind of advocacy and support, check out the organizations listed here. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
Groups That Support LGBTQ+ People
| Organization | Location | Mission |
|---|---|---|
| The Audre Lorde Project | New York, NY | Work for community wellness and progressive social and economic justice through mobilization, education, and capacity-building |
| PROMO | St. Louis, MO | Advocate for LGBTQ equality through legislative action, electoral politics, grassroots organizing, and community education |
| Southern Nevada Association of PRIDE | Las Vegas, NV | Create safe and inclusive spaces for self-expression, inspire an authentic sense of activism in the continued fight for equality, and celebrate the unique heritage and diverse cultures of the LGBT+ community of Southern Nevada and its allies |
| Louisiana Trans Advocates | Baton Rouge, LA | Advance the core human rights of self-determination and expression for all trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people in Louisiana |
| OutFront Minnesota | Minneapolis, MN | Create a state where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people are free to be who they are, love who they love, and live without fear of violence, harassment, or discrimination |
| Brooklyn Community Pride Center | Brooklyn, NY | Provide services and support to Brooklyn's LGBTQ+ community through original programming and partnerships with other organizations |
Issues Faced By The LGBTQ+ Community
- Violent hate crimes
- Employment discrimination
- Parents who reject their LGBTQ+ children
- Bathrooms and other public accommodations being exclusionary
- Unequal healthcare
- Housing discrimination
- Criminal justice
- Everyday prejudice
Which States Have The Largest Percentage Of LGBT Residents?
According to the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law
| Rank | State | Percentage of Population That Is LGBT |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | District Of Columbia | 9.8% |
| 2. | Oregon | 5.6% |
| 3. | Nevada | 5.5% |
| 4. | Massachusetts | 5.4% |
| 5. | California | 5.3% |
| 6. | Washington | 5.2% |
| 7. | Vermont | 5.2% |
| 8. | New York | 5.1% |
| 9. | Maine | 4.9% |
| 10. | New Hampshire | 4.7% |
The Danger Of Hiding Who You Are
In Depth
In theory, the principle of equality is firmly rooted in our culture, arguably the backbone of this country. In practice, however, this is not always the case, with some facing greater difficulties than others. One such section of American society that has long struggled with acceptance is the queer community, a frequent target of discrimination, rejection, and violence. Thankfully, there are many groups across the country fighting to combat this societal intolerance. If you want to learn more about the important work they do, then here are, in no particular order, six organizations helping the LGBTQ+ community at state and local levels.
Coming in at #1 is the Audre Lorde Project. With locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, ALP seeks to increase community wellness and advance progressive social and economic values, focusing its efforts on community organizing, mobilization, and education. First convened in 1994 by Advocates for Gay Men of Color, ALP acknowledges the full diversity of LGBTQ+ people of color and works to oppose discrimination and other forms of oppression against these communities.
The Audre Lorde Project furthers its mission through a variety of programs. 3rd Space Support, for example, assists people of color struggling with employment, education, health care, and immigration status, while TransJustice advocates on behalf of trans and gender nonconforming people. The SOS Collective challenges hate and police violence, promoting community-oriented solutions instead of engagement with law enforcement. Those who wish to get involved with the Audre Lorde Project can make donations online or attend an upcoming event.
3rd Space Support, for example, assists people of color struggling with employment, education, health care, and immigration status, while TransJustice advocates on behalf of trans and gender nonconforming people.
In the #2 spot is PROMO. Active in Missouri, this organization endeavors to achieve full legal equality for all the state's residents, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Initially formed in 1986 as a political group committed to defending the right to privacy in Missouri, today PROMO covers a wide range of issues in its fight for equality, using legislative action, grassroots organizing, electoral politics, and community education to advance its aims.
PROMO works with both LGBTQ+ people and allies of the community across several areas, including opposition to anti-LGBTQ+ bills and improving workplace diversity and inclusion. It also publishes a collection of informative resources online, dealing with topics such as conversion therapy and visiting a health care provider. If you are interested in showing your support for this nonprofit, consider donating to its SAGE of PROMO Fund, which benefits older Missourians, or signing up to volunteer.
At #3 is the Southern Nevada Association of PRIDE, which runs Las Vegas PRIDE each year. With its roots going back to 1983, SNAPI strives to educate the community by promoting and celebrating LGBTQ+ life. In addition to the PRIDE Festival and Parade, this nonprofit hosts several other fun events, such as holiday auctions and charity bingo gatherings.
In addition to the PRIDE Festival and Parade, this nonprofit hosts several other fun events, such as holiday auctions and charity bingo gatherings.
SNAPI maintains an active educational component, often touching on topics of critical importance for LGBTQ+ individuals. The It Gets Better Las Vegas Project, for instance, targets LGBTQ+ youth who might be struggling, with the goal of showing them that life can improve. Elsewhere, the Safer Sex Project promotes access and usage of condoms as a way to prevent the transmission of HIV. Those who want to show their support for the Southern Nevada Association of PRIDE can check out the organization's very own magazine or can sign up to volunteer.
Coming in at #4 is Louisiana Trans Advocates. Based in Baton Rouge, LTA champions self-determination and expression for trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people in the state. To accomplish its goals, LTA has partnered with many organizations, including Equality Federation, Trystereo Harm Reduction Collective, and CrescentCare. Since its founding in 2011, it has held over 500 monthly meetings across Louisiana, and it boasts a membership of more than 3,500 people.
In addition to its monthly meetings both in person and online, Louisiana Trans Advocates runs a number of programs and initiatives. There is, for example, a dedicated fund to assist with legal name changes, as well as a leadership development program to train members as they work in the LGBTQ+ movement and beyond. LTA also maintains a selection of helpful resources online, with information on topics such as health care providers and trans allyship. If you are interested in getting involved with this nonprofit, consider checking out its blog or signing up to receive action alerts.
If you are interested in getting involved with this nonprofit, consider checking out its blog or signing up to receive action alerts.
At #5 is OutFront Minnesota. Established in 1987, this organization fights to create an environment free of violence, harassment, and discrimination for LGBTQ+ people in the state. Prizing the values of liberation and intersectional equity, it engages in a diverse set of progressive activities, working in areas like public policy, legal and trans justice, and workplace and educational training. In 2014, for instance, its advocacy helped pass the Safe and Supportive Schools Act, which strengthens protections against bullying in learning environments.
To help young people across the state, OutFront Minnesota runs the Educational Equity Program, which works with different stakeholders to ensure that students feel safe, valued, and respected in their schools. Furthermore, its Anti-Violence Program offers counseling, crisis intervention, and legal aid to LGBTQ+ people experiencing violence or harassment. Each year, this service helps more than 1,000 individuals. Those who wish to show their support for OutFront Minnesota can inquire about internship opportunities or follow its social media profiles to keep informed on the latest news.
Last but not least, at #6 is the Brooklyn Community Pride Center. Incorporated in 2008, this nonprofit supports the area's LGBTQ+ community through original programming and partnerships with external organizations. Committed to the values of transparency, respect, safety, inclusion, and putting people first, it strives to improve the quality of life for all who access its services, providing programs in areas such as health, wellness, and recreation.
Incorporated in 2008, this nonprofit supports the area's LGBTQ+ community through original programming and partnerships with external organizations.
Examples of the Brooklyn Community Pride Center's specific offerings include ElderPRIDE, for older queer people, and TGNC Pride, a weekly support group for those who identify as trans or gender nonconforming. Furthermore, the LGBTQ+ New Americans: Oral History Project, run in conjunction with Immigration Equality, documents and spreads the experiences of LGBTQ+ immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in the area. If you are interested in getting involved with the Brooklyn Community Pride Center, consider making a donation online or attending an upcoming event.
