LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights. There is no distinction, no debate, and no justification for stripping away the fundamental freedoms of queer American people. And yet, today those rights are under direct and coordinated attack at the highest levels of government.

In the past, LGBTQIA+ rights advocates have fought for - and won - major victories, from marriage equality and adoption rights to workplace protections. These wins were not granted; they were hard-fought through decades of activism, legal battles, and cultural change.

But those rights are not guaranteed.

Since the beginning of the administration's second term in office, multiple executive orders that target LGBTQIA+ individuals, have been issued, rolling back legal protections and eroding civil rights. Executive Order 14168, for example, mandates that federal agencies define sex strictly as male or female based on reproductive biology, effectively erasing federal recognition of transgender and nonbinary identities.

Other policies block transgender individuals from serving in the military, ban gender-affirming healthcare for minors, and eliminate protections for LGBTQ+ students in schools.

The question is no longer “Are LGBTQIA+ rights protected?” The question is, how much longer must we continue to fight for protections that should have been protected all along?

What Are Civil Rights?

Civil rights are the legal protections that ensure people aren’t discriminated against, giving everyone equal access to things like jobs, housing, education, and healthcare - no matter who they are. These rights have historically been at the center of movements for racial and gender equality, but the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights is now one of the most important civil rights struggles of our time.

Laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968 were passed to end discrimination, particularly against Black Americans. Over the years, these protections have expanded to include women, people with disabilities, and some LGBTQIA+ individuals.

However, unlike racial discrimination, which was specifically addressed in early civil rights laws, LGBTQIA+ rights have never been fully protected at the federal level. Instead, they exist in a fragile patchwork of court decisions, executive orders, and state laws - which can be revoked or overturned.

In fact, even today, in over 20 states, LGBTQIA+ people don’t have full legal protection in key areas like jobs, housing, and healthcare. This means that someone can still be fired, evicted, or denied services just for being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. In fact, nearly 1 in 3 LGBTQ+ adults report experiencing discrimination at work or in public spaces in the past year alone.

This lack of permanent legal protections is why LGBTQIA+ rights are under constant threat.

Why LGBTQ+ Rights (Should) Matter to Everyone

LGBTQIA+ rights are not just a concern for the LGBTQIA+ community—they are a critical part of the broader civil rights landscape. When governments restrict rights based on gender identity or sexual orientation, they send a dangerous message: that some people are deserving of equal rights, while others are not.

History has shown us the harmful effects of such thinking. For example, in Nazi Germany, LGBTQ+ individuals were among the first to be arrested under morality laws before the Holocaust escalated to target Jews, Romani people, and political dissidents.

When LGBTQIA+ rights are restricted, it weakens the entire structure of civil rights. If trans people can be denied healthcare, what’s stopping lawmakers from restricting reproductive rights or other essential services? If businesses are allowed to discriminate based on sexuality, who will be next?

LGBTQ+ rights are a powerful example of how the protection of one group’s rights strengthens the precedent for all groups. A society that respects same-sex marriages is one that values love and commitment in all its forms. A workplace that rejects anti-gay harassment is more likely to reject racial or religious harassment as well. Advancing LGBTQ+ equality raises the floor for how we treat all people, creating environments of respect and compassion that benefit everyone.

As President Obama put it, “When all Americans are treated as equal, we are all more free.”

Progress Against Relentless Pushback

Unlike the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which made racial discrimination illegal nationwide, LGBTQIA+ rights remain inconsistent and vulnerable. For every victory, there has been relentless pushback:

In Bowers v. Hardwick (1986), the Supreme Court ruled that states could criminalize same-sex intimacy. It took 17 years for that ruling to be overturned in Lawrence v. Texas (2003).
United States v. Windsor (2013) and Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, but some lawmakers are openly advocating for these decisions to be overturned.
The Supreme Court’s Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) decision extended workplace protections to LGBTQIA+ individuals under Title VII—but only because of a 6-3 ruling that could be reversed by a future court.
The proposed Equality Act - which would provide nationwide, permanent protections - has been stalled in Congress for years.

While the U.S. saw historic progress under President Obama - who made LGBTQIA+ equality a cornerstone of his civil rights agenda, repealed Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (2010), expanded protections under the Affordable Care Act (2010), and issued guidance under Title IX affirming transgender students' rights—these protections are now being systematically dismantled.

Current Threats to LGBTQIA+ Rights in 2025

Under Executive Order 14183, transgender individuals are banned from serving in the military, a policy that had previously been reversed under the Biden administration. Executive Order 14187 prevents federal funding from supporting gender-affirming care for minors, labeling such treatment as "chemical and surgical mutilation."

Meanwhile, conservative state legislatures are rushing to pass laws that restrict LGBTQ+ rights even further at an alarming rate:

In Iowa, lawmakers are working to remove gender identity from the state’s civil rights code, making it legal to discriminate against trans and non-binary people in employment, housing, and public services.
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that could overturn state bans on conversion therapy, potentially reopening the door for a practice widely condemned by medical professionals.
In multiple states, hospitals have begun halting gender-affirming care programs due to legal pressure, leaving trans individuals—including adults—without access to life-saving healthcare.

These actions are not just attacks on LGBTQIA+ individuals - they are attacks on the very foundation of civil rights in America.

So, What Can We Do About It?

LGBTQIA+ rights are under attack - but there’s still time to act. Advocacy is not limited to lawmakers or legal experts. Every person has the power to make a difference.

Here’s what you can do today to help:

Contact Your Representatives – Demand action. Lawmakers respond to public pressure, and sustained advocacy is key to protecting LGBTQIA+ rights. You can find your representatives here.
Support the Equality Act – This legislation would provide federal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Learn more and sign petitions here.
Educate Yourself and Others – Anti-LGBTQIA+ policies thrive on misinformation. Stay informed and challenge false narratives when you hear them.
Support LGBTQIA+ Organizations – Donate or volunteer with groups on the frontlines, like Be the Transformational Change, the ACLU, and the Human Rights Campaign.
Refuse to Be Silent – Visibility is power. Attend protests, share resources, and speak out against discrimination in your community. The opposition is loud - those fighting for equality must be louder.

ResourcesThe fight for LGBTQ+ rights has been carried forward by a strong community of organizations, legal experts, activists, and everyday people. Here are some key resources and advocacy groups working to protect and advance LGBTQ+ rights:

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) – LGBT & HIV Project: The ACLU, a venerable civil rights organization, has a dedicated project that litigates cases and advocates for LGBTQ+ people. They have been involved in many landmark cases (from Loving to Windsor to Gavin Grimm’s case) and provide resources on LGBTQ+ rights. The ACLU uses legal challenges to enforce constitutional rights and also pushes for policy changes.
Lambda Legal: Founded in 1973, Lambda Legal is the nation’s oldest and largest legal organization focusing on LGBTQ+ and HIV civil rights. Its attorneys have played roles in cases like Lawrence and Obergefell. Lambda Legal works via impact litigation, education, and policy advocacy to secure full equality. (
Human Rights Campaign (HRC): HRC is the largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group in the U.S., with hundreds of thousands of members nationwide. It lobbies for pro-equality legislation (such as the Equality Act), rates companies on LGBTQ-friendly policies (through the Corporate Equality Index), and provides public education. HRC’s mission is to ensure LGBTQ+ people “are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community”
GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation): GLAAD focuses on media representation, understanding that cultural attitudes influence civil rights. By advocating for fair portrayal of LGBTQ+ people in news and entertainment, GLAAD aims to dispel myths and foster acceptance, which in turn builds support for legal equality.
GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD): Not to be confused with GLAAD, GLAD Law is a legal organization based in New England that has won major cases (they brought the Goodridge case that made Massachusetts the first marriage equality state in 2003). GLAD also helped win cases on transgender rights and DOMA’s downfall. They work to “create a just society free of discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status, and gender identity and expression”.
National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR): A legal organization founded in 1977, NCLR offers legal help and has led battles on issues like family rights (e.g., adoption, custody, marriage) and trans rights in sports and prisons. They often represent clients in high-impact cases and advocate for policy changes nationwide.
Transgender Law Center (TLC): The largest trans-led advocacy organization in the country, TLC works at the intersection of law, policy, and organizing to secure trans individuals’ rights. They handle cases related to discrimination, healthcare access, identity documents, and incarceration, among others, envisioning a future where everyone can live safely and freely as their authentic gender
PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays): Founded in 1973, PFLAG is a nationwide grassroots network of parents and allies committed to supporting LGBTQ+ people. With over 400 chapters, PFLAG provides support for families (helping parents understand and accept their LGBTQ+ children), education to communities, and advocacy at local levels. PFLAG’s message – that family and ally voices are powerful in achieving equality – has been pivotal in changing social attitudes and lobbying schools and governments for inclusive policies.
The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is not an advocacy group per se, but a crisis intervention and suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ+ youth. Given the mental health challenges discussed, Trevor’s services (24/7 lifeline, counseling, and resources) are a critical resource. They also conduct research on LGBTQ+ youth and advocate for mental health policies that support this group.
Movement Advancement Project (MAP): MAP provides research and analysis of LGBTQ-related policies across the U.S. They track laws in every state (like which states have nondiscrimination protections, or which have bans on transgender healthcare) and produce informative reports. Their data helps inform policymakers and the public about where progress is needed and what the impact of laws can be.

These are just a few of the many organizations in the broad coalition for LGBTQ+ equality. Others include the National LGBTQ Task Force (organizing and advocacy), GLSEN (focused on safe schools for LGBTQ+ students), Out & Equal (promoting workplace inclusion), and local/state equality groups (like Equality Florida, MassEquality, etc.) that work on the ground.

Resources for Individuals: If you are an LGBTQ+ person facing discrimination, many of the above organizations offer hotlines or legal intake services. For example, Lambda Legal and GLAD have help desks to advise people of their rights. The ACLU in your state can also provide guidance or representation.

LGBTQIA+ Rights Are Not Optional

In the end, LGBTQ+ rights (should) matter to all of us because they ask us to consider what kind of country we want to be. One testimonial to that is from John Lewis, whose life linked the Black civil rights struggle to LGBTQ+ advocacy. He saw both as part of the same fight for justice:

“We cannot keep turning our backs on gay and lesbian Americans,” Lewis insisted, “I have fought too hard and too long against discrimination based on race and color not to stand up against discrimination based on sexual orientation.”

Standing up for LGBTQ+ rights means refusing to turn our backs on our neighbors, and instead extending our hands in the ongoing quest to ensure “liberty and justice for all” truly means for all.

The time to act is now - so join us! Advocate, donate, and be a part of the transformational change our country so desperately needs.

Why LGBTQIA+ Rights should matter to everyone.