5 Organizations Leading LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Beyond Pride Month
During Pride, (and beyond) we want to take a moment to celebrate and amplify some of the incredible organizations that are tirelessly advocating for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. While registering and verifying our voter registration is always a strong statement of allyship, these organizations share additional powerful ways to empower and act on behalf of the LGBTQIA+ community.
PFLAG is an amazing organization for all things LGBTQIA+. With a massive network of 400+ local chapters, they’re all about helping folks find support, teaching people about LGBTQIA+ issues, and fighting for LGBTQIA+ rights.
Imagine a place that cheers for the LGBTQIA+ community and helps them tell their stories to the world - that's PFLAG. Whether you need a little backup, want to support a friend, or aim to be a super-ally, PFLAG has a treasure trove of resources to help out.
They've got all the info and tools you need. All you have to do is get involved! Join a local chapter, become a member, or dive into their resources. And as if that wasn’t already cool enough, their monthly 'PFLAG Connects Communities' virtual meetings create a space for diverse LGBTQIA+ peeps from all backgrounds to share and learn from each other's experiences.
Based in Atlanta, Out on Film is a rockstar film festival that spotlights movies by, for, and about the LGBTQIA+ squad and our awesome allies. In 2020, Out on Film scored a mega win—becoming an Oscar-qualifying festival, one of only two LGBTQIA+ film festivals in the US to achieve this status!
This non-profit brings us an epic 11-day party every year, featuring high-quality flicks that teach us about the LGBTQIA+ experience and highlight the issues they face. The films they roll out are as diverse and welcoming as a Pride Parade, all aiming to give power to the LGBTQIA+ community and showcase their stories through the magic of cinema.
Funding for Out on Film's festivals comes from ticket sales, generous donations, and the support of their sponsors. When you swing by the festival, you're not just watching a movie—you're backing LGBTQIA+ artists and soaking up their inspiring work. Feel like doing more? Attend in person or digitally, volunteer, or submit a film! Help make Out on Film a hit by spreading the word and boosting LGBTQIA+ representation in Hollywood. Every action counts!
It Gets Better blasted off in 2010, their mission: “uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth around the globe.” How? By reaching millions with storytelling, education, and building a worldwide community.
They aim to show LGBTQIA+ youth how rad they are, how much they matter, and how powerful they can be. Covering four continents and eight languages, It Gets Better is the planet's biggest effort to lift up LGBTQ+ youth through stories and storytelling.
It Gets Better is also your gateway to over 1100 organizations in 40+ countries, all ready to support LGBTQ+ youth. Need a local resource that gets you? They've got you covered. Looking for support as a Black queer youth? They know just the place. Along with free educational goodies like mental health tools and lesson plans, all ready to explore on their website.
Dive into thousands of stories they share and follow them on social. Their message is clear: you are not alone, and they're ready to help you share your own epic story. It Gets Better, because they make sure it does!
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BCEFA) is the superhero of non-profit AIDS fundraising and grant-giving groups in the US. Bringing together artists and audiences, they harness the theater's electric energy to help people across the country who need life-saving meds, food, healthcare, counseling, and a financial lifeline. This shows up in their direct help to entertainment pros hit by health crises and in yearly grants to over 450 AIDS and family service organizations.
Yearly gigs, concerts, auctions - you name it - bring communities together to lend a hand to those who need it most. In 2021, even amidst the pandemic, BCEFA managed to grant nearly $15 million to various programs and services. And that's just part of the mind-blowing $300+ million raised since their start in 1988.
Got a passion for theater and a drive to help those battling HIV/AIDS? BCEFA has got you. The best way to dive in? Check out one of their unique events that also raises funds for the cause. You could also roll up your sleeves and volunteer, doing anything from ushering to helping with mailouts. Looking for a super simple way to help? Donations are always welcome or shop at their online store. Every bit helps!
The National Center for Trans Equality (NCTE) is like the beacon of hope for trans folks in the US. They work to upend discrimination and injustice against trans people through advocacy and empowerment.
NCTE is a powerhouse that throws its weight behind policies that safeguard the rights and dignity of trans people. They're all about giving trans folks the right tools and know-how to navigate legal issues, healthcare, jobs, and more. Not just that, they're about making sure every trans person's voice is represented and can't be ignored.
As the nation's top social justice advocacy organization for transgender people, they're doing the hard work to help make real change happen. Want to support their incredible efforts? Donate, take action, and share NCTE's educational resources, it can make a huge difference. Help them continue to show the world that every gender identity deserves respect, representation, and equality.
From storytelling to advocacy, and from films to theater, these groups not only celebrate diversity but also empower and inspire individuals, reaffirming the message that together, we are stronger, and indeed, we are stronger together.
Have an org you love that deserves a highlight? Share their name with us below!