Human Rights Campaign

HRC and researchers at the University of Connecticut launched a major national survey of LGBTQ teens. The survey is open to teens who identify as LGBTQ, are between 13 and 17, and are living in the U.S. Eligible teens can take the survey here.

The survey will help paint a picture of LGBTQ teens growing up in today's America: a country more familiar than ever with their identities, yet facing a terrifying backlash, particularly against communities of color, transgender people, and immigrants.

With the help of young people from across the U.S., the survey will answer pressing questions about what it’s like to grow up LGBTQ today, such as:

How do rejection or support from peers, family and others shape LGBTQ young people's lives?

What kinds of health concerns (like smoking or stress) are common among LGBTQ teens?

How many transgender teens have their identities respected at school, and are able to access gender-appropriate facilities?

How do intersecting identities, such as race or disability, affect the challenges and opportunities that LGBTQ youth encounter?

Donald Trump Announces Ban on Transgender Troops Including 15,000 Actively Serving

(via GIPHY)

Why The Equality Act Can’t Wait Any Longer

Today, millions of LGBTQ Americans still lack basic legal protections in states across the country - leaving our community vulnerable to discrimination that compromises our safety, families, jobs and our lives.

In fact, in a majority of states, LGBTQ people can get married on Saturday and risk being fired from their job on Monday because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. That’s wrong and it’s dangerous- and that’s why Congress must pass the Equality Act.

Today, Congress reintroduced the Equality Act with bipartisan and unprecedented corporate support. The Equalityl would extend existing civil rights protections to LGBTQ people by prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity across key areas of life, including employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally-funded programs and jury service.

Discrimination is still a real and persistent problem for many LGBTQ Americans. HRC polling from 2015 found that nearly two-thirds of self-identified LGBTQ Americans report experiencing discrimination -- including people like Carter Brown, a transgender man from Texas who lost his job after he was outed by his colleagues.

And Brown isn’t alone in his quest for non-discrimination protections -- roughly 50 percent of LGBTQ Americans live in states where they’re at risk of being fired, denied housing, or refused service because of who they are. There is no federal law explicitly protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination and 31 states still lack fully-inclusive non-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ community. Passing this law would not only protect thousands of LGBTQ people from losing their jobs, but will help our community to thrive in the workplace and in society.

#TakePride in Combatting STDs, However You Choose to Do it

International Transgender Day of Visibility

#HRCLADinner:Katy Perry

#HRCLADinner: America Ferrera

Shame on NCAA

HRC Honors Women's History Month

Bisexual Health Awareness Month

DISGRACEFUL: Trump Administration Puts Transgender Kids at Risk

Happy Valentine's Day from HRC

Black History Month

9 Ways to Channel Last Weekend’s Energy Into Sustained Action for LGBTQ Rights

Throughout our nation’s history, we’ve faced setbacks in our pursuit of a more perfect union. But even in the darkest of moments, Americans have summoned the courage and persistence to battle forward. That’s why one day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, LGBTQ people took to the streets with millions of Women’s March participants around the world to speak out against hate, division, and fear.

And now, upon the March’s conclusion, we must not slow down. We must double down and channel the energy of this past weekend into sustained political action.

It’s more important than ever for us to organize, mobilize, and fight in solidarity against attempts to roll back the rights of vulnerable communities. No matter who sits in the Oval Office, HRC will remain focused and undeterred in our fight for the equal dignity of LGBTQ people everywhere -- and we can’t do it without you.

Here are some actions you can take right now to make a difference:

#1. Call your member of Congress and make sure they know that you care about LGBTQ equality and that you'll be watching how they vote on Trump’s cabinet picks. Ensure they thoroughly vet each nominee for where they stand on LGBTQ rights and ask them to oppose Jeff Sessions, Tom Price, Ben Carson, and any nominee who fails to make clear LGBTQ people should receive full protection under the law. Tell them you want the Affordable Care Act to stay. Ensure they know you support our LGBTQ family and friends who are immigrants. Put your lawmakers’ numbers on speed dial and call frequently. Your persistence matters!

#2. Stay informed on current events and share information. Read the newspaper, follow your favorite non-profits, and help your friends stay up to date on the issues. Sign up to HRC’s AM Equality for daily updates on the fight for equality and share a news tip with HRC’s blog.

#3. Talk to your kids about bullying issues. Let’s help arm them against bullying and harassment and ensure that all kids feel safe in their schools and community. Visit WelcomingSchools.org for tips to share with your child and school.

#4. Speak up. If you hear or see something offensive, please say something if it feels safe. It's our collective responsibility at this moment in history, to help fight against hate and create spaces that are safe and open for all. Let others in the LGBTQ community know that they matter, they are valued, and they have a place in our country.

#5. Reach out to local leaders. Whether it’s your school board member or your state legislators, changes starts in your backyard. Track local laws and policies and reach out to your elected officials wherever you might be.

#6. Follow HRC across social media. Follow HRC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for up to date news, actions and alerts, including specific news in your city and state. Don't forget to add your email address to our list for the latest news as well.

#7. Volunteer with the Human Rights Campaign. Our volunteer-led events and activities are about engaging LGBTQ people and our allies, educating the public, and raising funds necessary to support the important work of HRC locally and nationally. Join a vibrant, energetic group of leaders in your community. Our work now is more important than ever.

#8. Make a donation to HRC and other non-profits. Your monetary contributions make our work possible. We promise to use your gift to fight for a world in which every single LGBTQ person has the rights, privileges, and protections they deserve.

Vice President Joe Biden