From the state house to the court house, from the halls of Congress to the halls of schools, there is much to know about LGBTQ rights and the threats to them. How to follow it all? Who is advocating for the community? Who can you contact if you want to be an advocate? Here are some resources.
Legislation
- Equality California tracks important California and Federal legislation.
- The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus lists proposed legislation it sponsors and supports, as well as budget requests.
- Equality Federation tracks legislation in state legislatures across the country.
- The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) describes the Federal legislation it supports. It also has an interactive map for recent State legislation and a state by state summary of LGBTQ+ rights granted and denied.
Advocates with California Secretary of Education,
Tony Thurmond
How To Find And Contact Your Representatives
Simply start with your address and you can find your representatives and their contact information. It is easy to click through to an email contact form to express an opinion. Many representatives have newsletters that will let you know when and where they are holding local community office hours where you can meet them in person to ask them for – or thank them for – their support on the issues that matter to you.
Political Action and Advocacy
- Equality California works with legislators in Sacramento and throughout the state and it provides opportunities for volunteers.
- The Human Rights Campaign mobilizes equality voters and advances pro-equality policy and legislation.
- The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has a plethora of information on LGBTQ issues, rights, and legislation.
- The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) conducts legal and legislative advocacy for all LGBTQ people.
- The California LGBTQ Health & Human Services Network is a statewide coalition of non-profit providers, community centers, and researchers advocating for state level policies and resources to advance LGBTQ+ health.
- PFLAG National has information on pending legislation and lobbying; and may send members action alerts for pending legislation.
- Advocates for Transgender Equality (A4TE) was formed in 2024 with the merger of the National Center for Transgender Equality and the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund. See their website for the long list of projects and issues they address.
- GLAAD works to ensure fair, accurate and inclusive representation of LGBTQ+ people in the media.
- GLSEN works to ensure safe, supportive and inclusive schools for LGBTQ+ K-12 students.
In the Courts
- The ACLU reports on court cases affecting LGBTQ+ people.
- Family Equality participates in cases to advance equality for LGBTQ+ families.
- Lambda Legal fights for the civil rights of LGBTQ+ people.
