Here's the Plan

by HRC Staff

Recently Donald Trump delivered his first address to Congress, laying out his agenda for the presidency. But we already know what his dark vision for America looks like.

Recently Donald Trump delivered his first address to Congress, laying out his agenda for the presidency. But we already know what his dark vision for America looks like.

Despite his empty rhetoric, Trump has pledged to undermine LGBTQ equality through federal legislation, Supreme Court appointments, and by backing laws like North Carolina’s hateful HB2. He has empowered anti-LGBTQ politicians in the mold of his vice president, Mike Pence, to run the government. Just last week, Donald Trump, Jeff Sessions and Betsy DeVos began undermining crucial protections for transgender students.

HRC is fighting back – and we wanted you to be the first to hear how. Here are our top five priorities and how we’ll achieve them. If you’re with us, say you’ll join us and help grow our grassroots army today – make an additional contribution to HRC now.

Defend Our Progress and Block New Threats. We’re not only fighting attacks by the Trump-Pence administration – we’re fighting an onslaught of anti-LGBTQ bills at the state and local level. After Election Day, HRC launched a war room prepared to expose Trump’s attacks, respond and hold our opponents accountable. And our team of lawyers, field organizers and communicators – which helped defeat more than 95 percent of the anti-LGBTQ state bills introduced last year – is set to work again fighting efforts to undermine equality at the state level.

Protect the Most Vulnerable in Our Community. Now, more than ever, we have to support the most vulnerable people within the LGBTQ community. Through our innovative HIV and AIDS advocacy work, our Global LGBTQ Leaders’ Summit, our Project One America program expanding equality in the Deep South, our work fighting the epidemic of violence against the transgender community and more – HRC will stand up for those who are most vulnerable to hate, stigma and violence.

Elect Pro-Equality Candidates & Defeat Our Opponents. We need allies at every level of government, which is why we are already developing strategies to elect pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot in 2018 and 2020. In November, the defeat of North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory proved that we can beat candidates who attack LGBTQ people for political gain. We can – and we must – continue that momentum.

Further Legal Protections. From filing amicus briefs with the Supreme Court and bolstering the Grimm case to passing local non-discrimination legislation, we are fighting to expand the map for legal protections wherever possible. And, we’ll keep building corporate, grassroots and legislative support for the Equality Act as part of our long-term strategy to achieve full federal equality for every LGBTQ American.

Advance Equality in Workplaces, Schools, & Communities. We can – and must – continue to make progress toward equality outside the political process through the institutions that serve LGBTQ people in their daily lives. HRC’s groundbreaking work with employers, schools, hospitals and faith-based organizations will continue to make a meaningful impact on the quality of life for millions of LGBTQ people nationwide.

The road ahead won’t be easy. But we’ve overcome tough challenges as a movement before – and we’re ready to do it again. We’ll do it by:

  • Growing our grassroots army. HRC’s grassroots force of nearly 2 million is the backbone of our movement. That’s why we’re investing in growing, training and mobilizing our grassroots army to become stronger than ever before. We’re counting on educated, informed, inspired “Equality Voters” to help elect pro-equality candidates and defeat bigotry wherever it rears its ugly head.
  • Working in Coalition. The LGBTQ community is as diverse as our nation – which means we’re under attack today on many fronts. That’s why we’re also joining forces with other organizations to mount a coordinated resistance against efforts to roll back the Affordable Care Act, defund Planned Parenthood, undermine choice and voting rights, attack immigrants, and more.
  • Exercising our Political Strength. Today, there are more than 10 million LGBTQ voters – up 1.6 million from just four years ago, thanks to a growing share of millennials, women, and people of color who are coming out and demanding equality. And there are millions more pro-equality voters who have our backs. We have never been stronger as a movement, and it’s within our power to tip the scales for pro-equality candidates at the local, state and federal levels.

We have tough battles ahead, but with your help, we know we can win. Say you’ll stand with HRC and join us today. Make your additional gift now.