American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nonpartisan non-profit organization whose stated mission is “to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.” It works through litigation, lobbying and community education.
Brooklyn Community Pride Center
The Brooklyn Community Pride Center was founded both in celebration of the diverse lives and experiences of the LGBTQ community of Brooklyn and in direct response to profound community need. The Brooklyn Community Pride Center’s purpose is to provide support and services to the community, alone or in partnership with existing organizations, with the intention of filling existing gaps in services and strengthening the web of support, borough-wide. At present, the BCPC offers programs and events for the LGBTQ community including Community Education Panels, Legal Clinics, Financial Planning Forums, Peer Support Services and Social Events. Through our work, we are expanding the quantity and quality of LGBTQ services in the community and strengthening our community from the inside out.
Gay and Lesbian 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.
GLAAD (NYC)
GLAAD amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance and advances equality.
Global Experiences
Global Experiences is the world’s leading provider of high quality customized international internship programs abroad, including exciting internships in eleven cities in ten countries for Spring 2018, Summer 2018 and Fall 2018. Our wildly popular fashion internships are available in most locations. There is no other organization in the world that matches interns with the best possible employers as well as Global Experiences!
The Human Rights Campaign
As the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, the Human Rights Campaign represents a force of more than 1.5 million members and supporters nationwide — all committed to making HRC’s vision a reality. Founded in 1980, HRC 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.
Hudson Pride Connections Center
Hudson Pride Connections Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-governmental, community organization that was formed in 1993. Originally known as Jersey City Connections, Hudson Pride is happy to offer a number of different services, programs and events to a diverse LGBTQ community in the Northern NJ region. Our programs and services include transgender programming youth groups, legal advocacy, health education, outreach services, financial assistance and social service linkages.
The LGBT Center in New York City
Established in 1983, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center is at the heart of the LGBT community in New York City, providing quality health and wellness programs in a welcoming space that fosters connections and celebrates our cultural contributions. We strive to serve the LGBT community with a full-service, multi-faceted approach to programming, from hosting arts and entertainment events, advocacy groups and family gatherings to offering youth, recovery and overall wellness programs. Each year, the Center welcomes more than 300,000 visits to our building in the West Village neighborhood of Manhattan from people who engage in our life-changing and life-saving activities.
LiVelocity
“Founded in 2011 by a group of concerned men of all strides (gay, straight, bisexual, white, black and Hispanic), LiVelocity seeks to simply empower gay, bisexual, MSM, SGL men of color. For far too long we have relied on others to care for our community. While they have done the best they could do, we acknowledge that we are better suited to understand the needs of other MSM of color. Through research, financial efforts and outreach, LiVelocity empowers gay, bisexual men who have sex with men (MSM), and same gender loving (SGL) men of color, encourages them to live their lives openly, provides education, advocacy, & social support services, and seeks to change the hearts and minds of others to the side of equality. LiVelocity also provides funding support for initiatives that empower LGBTQ persons in urban communities.
Navigators USA
Navigators USA was founded by a group of volunteers who had previously led Boy Scout Troop 103 in East Harlem, serving children in need. Troop 103 was sponsored by The All Souls Unitarian Church in New York City, which covered all expenses. The decision by the Boy Scouts of America to enforce policies that many considered exclusionary caused the All Souls congregation to terminate its charter and sever ties with the Boy Scouts of America. Yet the congregation still wanted to maintain the best parts of the scouting experience and retain the close relationships and bonding with the youth participants that had developed over the years. The volunteers felt it critical to offer choices within the scouting community, even if it required the creation of a new organization – thus was planted the seed of the group that has since become Navigators USA. The Navigators USA is committed to providing a quality scouting experience that is inclusive and available to all children and families regardless of gender, race, religion, economic status, sexual orientation and social background. The Navigator Moral Compass says it all and demonstrates the founding group’s dream of creating a scouting organization that meets the needs of youths, parents, guardians and other adult caregivers well into the twenty-first century.
SAGE
Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) is the country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources for LGBT older adults and their caregivers, advocates for public policy changes that address the needs of LGBT older people, and provides training for aging providers and LGBT organizations, largely through its National Resource Center on LGBT Aging. With offices in New York City, Washington, DC and Chicago, SAGE coordinates a growing network of 23 local SAGE affiliates in 16 states and the District of Columbia.
William and Mary School of Law LGBT Equality Alliance
The Equality Alliance works to bring attention and awareness to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender legal issues as well as provide a community and safe space for LGBT students and their allies. In today’s legal world, it is imperative that law students know about the legal issues surrounding the recently repealed Don’t-Ask-Don’t-Tell, the Proposition 8 court fight, gay adoption, gay marriage, wills, the Defense of Marriage Act, and partner hospital visitations. Our organization sponsors speakers and film showings on major current LGBT legal events. We also run a blog, The Equality Advocate, which highlights LGBT news as well as providing commentary on LGBT policies worldwide. In addition, the Alliance advocates for LGBT students and allies, works with the law school administration to promote tolerance and awareness in the school, and organizes social events, such as trips to Busch Garden’s Howl-O-Scream. Students who want to get involved or just learn more about these issues are always welcome!