Advocacy
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.
Equality South Dakota
Equality South Dakota is a statewide advocacy organization developed by men and women across South Dakota who are dedicated to achieving equality for all people with respect to their sexual orientation and gender identity. Our membership includes thousands of supporters from not only this state but across the nation.
Freedom to Marry
http://www.freedomtomarry.org/
Freedom to Marry is the campaign to win marriage nationwide. Freedom to Marry was launched in 2003 by Evan Wolfson, the civil rights attorney generally considered the architect of the national marriage equality movement. From a prophetic vision once shared by only a few, the marriage movement has rapidly gained traction with the American public. In the past decade, we secured the freedom to marry in 16 states and the District of Columbia, built a majority of robust and diverse majority of Americans who support marriage for same-sex couples, and created the climate to allow the United States Supreme Court to strike down the central part of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act in June 2013.
Matthew Shepard Foundation
http://www.matthewshepard.org/
The Matthew Shepard Foundation was founded in December 1998 by Dennis and Judy Shepard in memory of their 21-year old son, Matthew, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming in October 1998.
Created to honor Matthew in a manner that was appropriate to his dreams, beliefs and aspirations, the Foundation seeks to “Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion & Acceptance” through its varied educational, outreach and advocacy programs and by continuing to tell Matthew’s story.
The Foundation focuses on three primary areas: Erasing Hate in our society, putting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Youth First and ensuring Equality for all LGBT Americans.
PFLAG National
Founded in 1972 with the simple act of a mother publicly supporting her gay son, PFLAG is the nation’s largest family and ally organization. Made up of parents, families, friends, and straight allies united with people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT), PFLAG is committed to advancing equality and societal acceptance of LGBT people through its threefold mission of support, education and advocacy. PFLAG now has over 350 chapters and 200,000 members and supporters crossing multiple generations of American families in major urban centers, small cities and rural areas in all 50 states. This vast grassroots network is cultivated, resourced, and serviced by PFLAG National, located in Washington, D.C., the National Board of Directors and 13 Regional Directors. – See more
ACLU of South Dakota
The ACLU of South Dakota works in communities, legislatures and courts to preserve the rights and liberties enshrined by the Constitution of the United States of America.
Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, protecting free speech, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ community, securing the rights of immigrants, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people from government abuse and overreach.
The Transformation Project Advocacy Network
https://www.transadvocacysd.org/
Our mission is to support and empower transgender youth, young adults, and their families while educating communities in SD and the surrounding region about gender identity and expression.
Transgender South Dakotans deserve better. Far too many transgender youth and young adults in our state and region have faced misunderstanding, hostility, and outright discrimination simply because of who they are. This has created a climate where kids live in fear of being their true selves, where parents desperate for community are increasingly isolated, and where vulnerable people feel powerless.
We are determined to change that and turn our home into a place where communities embrace their transgender neighbors, where every family has a support network, and where transgender kids can live safely and authentically. Our vision is one where every young person knows they are loved, valued, and empowered to make their dreams a reality.
It Gets Better
The It Gets Better Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe. Growing up isn’t easy, especially when you are trying to affirm and assert your sexual orientation and/or gender identity. It can be a challenging and isolating process – but, the good news is, no one has to do it alone.