Human Rights Campaign

Federal, field and legal advocacy: at the federal level, hrc advocates for policies, regulatory changes and legislation that guarantee the legal equality of lgbtq+ people. Additionally, we faced an onslaught of anti-lgbtq+ legislation and through our legislative and lobbying efforts opposed these policies and educated the public about those supporting them.fy24 was another record-breaking year with more anti-lgbtq+ laws enacted than at any other time in modern history. At least 550 anti-lgbtq+ bills were introduced, and more than 80 of them were enacted into law, prompting hrc to declare a nationwide state of emergency for lgbtq+ people. The campaigns and organizing team dedicated a significant amount of time and resources on combating anti-equality bills in state legislatures. In addition, hrc participated in state level elections securing key electoral wins. The team also made significant investments in research and polling on anti-lgbtq+ attacks that have become widespread online, in legislatures and on the Campaign trail.the government affairs team continued to work with congress on matters of importance to the lgbtq+ community. They engaged extensively with the house and senate armed services committees, house and senate leadership supportive of our community, and key hill allies to secure a clean fy24 national defense authorization act, rid of any anti-lgbtq+ riders.the legal policy team continued to work to advance pro-lgbtq+ state and federal legislation and amendments and stop or mitigate anti-lgbtq+ efforts. This included but is not limited to analyzing more than 1,500 pieces of legislation and amendments. The team prepared and assisted with mini reports by working on the state of emergency and fatal violence report and published an issue brief in hrcf's state equality index. The team engaged in over 75 public education efforts to a variety of stakeholders including corporate partners, government entities, and equality voters; and they provided over 20 pieces of testimony at the state and federal level.

Communications & media advocacy: hrc advocates on behalf of the lgbtq+ community and effects change by telling our stories to the public through the media, which helps amplify our priorities while positioning the organization and its spokespeople as the most prominent voices in the fight for lgbtq+ Rights. The team works to ensure hrc's media presence is strategic, intersectional and consistently on-message and garners coverage in critical outlets around the world. Hrc maintains a presence in the lgbtq+ media to help educate, inform and mobilize our community. The communications team shaped the national narrative by declaring our first ever national state of emergency for lgbtq+ americans and responding to major events, such as the tragic death of nex benedict and the federal investigation of the owasso school district that followed. The team also publicized and provided context for hrc's annual reports, amplifying the growing support for lgbtq+ equality across institutions. Additionally, the team drove coverage during rapid response efforts for major moments, including the supreme court's ruling in 303, creative, anti-lgbtq attacks on the business community, the 2023 elections, mike johnson becoming speaker of the house, uganda's ban on lgbtq+ identity in public life, and more.

Membership education and mobilization: hrc has grown to more than 3,000,000 members and supporters. We are engaging, inspiring and mobilizing more people to join our fight for lgbtq+ Rights and help them take meaningful action in the fight for equality. We maintained a presence at more than 275 pride events in addition to dozens of other local gatherings throughout the year. Those events allow us to elevate lgbtq+ officials and candidates around the country, keep volunteers engaged, and amplify our work in the local community. It also gives these members the opportunity to hear from important speakers who highlight our work.hrc also operates an action center & store in provincetown, Massachusetts, which continues to be a key tool in engaging current and potential members and supporters.

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