Making Difference In The Lives Of LGBTQ+ Musicians, Creatives, Youth
Here we breakdown a list of several incredible organizations across the globe fighting for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, and working to provide safe and inclusive spaces for everyone, regardless of their identity.
Guest post by Ali Meyer of The Orchard’s The Daily Rind
Pride is a time of great celebration, reflection, remembrance, and sharing of stories. This year, Pride brings a version of the movement that is very similar to its roots. Below you’ll find organizations fighting for rights for the LGBTQ+ community across the globe. These groups and communities featured provide safe and inclusive spaces so that everyone, regardless of identity, feels like they belong and are valued.
The Orchard wants to let our community know that they are important, their words matter and that they will always have a voice with us. We stand with you.
Ali Forney Center
Ali Forney Center’s mission is to protect LGBTQ youths from the harms of homelessness and empower them with the tools needed to live independently. AFC has been heralded for their full continuum of care approach to services for LGBTQ homeless youth. AFC’s founder, Carl Siciliano, was named a White House Champion of Change by President Obama citing the wide recognition AFC’s programs have received for their quality and innovation.
How can I help? Get involved here and donate here.
Black Trans Femmes In The Arts Collective
As an extension of the Arts Business Collaborative, BTFA Collective’s mission is to connect the community of Black Trans women and non-binary femmes in the arts, inspire, and build power within the community. Affiliated programs include the Black Trans Protestors Emergency Fund.
How can I help? Donate here
Callen-Lorde
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center provides sensitive, quality health care and related services targeted to New York’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities — in all their diversity — regardless of ability to pay. To further this mission, Callen-Lorde promotes health education and wellness, and advocates for LGBTQ health issues. Callen-Lorde’s grassroots heritage dates back 50 years to the St. Marks Clinic and the Gay Men’s Health Project – two volunteer-based clinics that provided safe and confidential sexual health and primary care regardless of ability to pay. These clinics merged in 1983 to form Community Health Project, a mostly volunteer-staffed, episodic care program housing the nation’s first community-based HIV clinic.
How can I help? Get involved here and donate here.
GLAAD
November 14, 1985 marked the first meeting of a group of reporters and journalists, who eventually founded what today is known as the Gay & Lesbian Association Against Defamation (GLAAD). Since then, the group has established itself as a tour de force fighting for the rights and representation of LGBTQ+ people. They’ve brought forth stories of the LGBTQ+ community along with those of people of color, BIPOC, and many others.
How can I help? Join here and donate here
GLSEN
GLSEN was founded by a group of teachers in 1990 who knew that educators play key roles in creating affirming learning environments for LGBTQ youth. But as well as activating supportive educators, they believe in centering and uplifting student-led movements, which have powered initiatives like the Day of Silence, Ally Week, and more. Their mission is to ensure that every member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
How can I help? Get involved here and donate here.
Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign represents a force of more than 3 million members and supporters nationwide. As the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer civil rights organization, HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest, and safe at home, at work. and in the community.
How can I help? Get involved here and donate here.
Lesbian & Gay Band Association (LGBA)
Lesbian and Gay Band Association (LGBA) is a musical organization comprised of concert and marching bands from cities across the United States and the world. Formed in 1982 as Lesbian and Gay Bands of America when seven independent bands met formally in Chicago, the Association has grown to 38 member organizations including international bands. LGBA remains dedicated to its original goals of providing a network of lesbian and gay bands at all stages of development, promoting music as a medium of communication among people, improving the quality of artistic and organizational aspects of member bands, and stimulating public interest in the unique art form of community band music in our culture.
How can I help? Find their event calendar here and donate here
LGBT Academy of Recording Arts (LARA)
LGBT Academy of Recording Arts (LARA) mission is to increase visibility and promote the advancement, contributions, and appreciation of LGBT+ music, entertainment, culture, and heritage as an equivalent entertainment platform. The organization focuses on creating opportunities to support the development of young aspiring artists, in a safe space where they can thrive and become industry professionals in the field of their interest.
National LGBT Chamber of Commerce
The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce is an advocacy group expanding business opportunities, access, and advancements for LGBT people. It is the exclusive certifying body of LGBT businesses. Certify your business and find local affiliate chambers and partners.
Get involved here
THE LGBT Center
The Center fosters a welcoming environment where everyone is celebrated for who they are. They offer the LGBTQ communities of NYC advocacy, health and wellness programs; arts, entertainment and cultural events; recovery, parenthood and family support services.
How can I help? Get involved here and donate here
The Marsha P. Johnson Institute
Marsha P. Johnson was an activist, self-identified drag queen, performer, and survivor. She was also a prominent figure in the 1969 Stonewall uprising. The Marsha P. Johnson Institute provides community and support to Black Trans people, protecting and defending their human rights. Their website states, “We do this by organizing, advocating, creating an intentional community to heal, developing transformative leadership, and promoting our collective power.”
How can I help? Get involved here and donate here
The Okra Project
The Okra Project is an initiative meant to bring home cooked, healthy, and culturally-specific meals to Black Trans who do not have access to food security.
How can I help? Get involved here and donate here
The Trevor Project
Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.
How can I help? Get involved here and donate here
