For the first time, we’re hosting an in-person community fellowship space for activists, organizers, and members of the community at-large to engage in our work as a stakeholder in determining our 2023 Advocacy Agenda.

Beyond Equality Open House is designed to be an entryway to base building and strengthening relationships to bring about collective change. The programming for this event will be tailored around advancing equity and political education resources for the LGBTQ+ community across the state, with a particular focus on the importance of the upcoming midterm elections. Sponsored in proud partnership with Ali Forney Center and The Center.

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Agenda (subject to small adjustments):

>> OPENING PLENARY | 5:00-5:30pm

• Grounding Us In Why Civic Engagement Matters

>> WORKSHOPS AND CAUCUSES | 5:30-8:30pm

• Beyond Equality, Towards Equity: The Lorena Borjas Equity Fund – In June 2022, NPA and partners led the fight to get funding directly to transgender people by making unprecedented investments into TGNC-led organizations – and we won. Participants will learn how the bill came about, our strategies to get it passed, and what’s next for the campaign
• What We Want and How We Win: We’re Going To Albany – We can’t do this work alone. We’ve outlined twelve legislative initiatives that we’re interested in taking up with our elected officials for the 2023 Legislative Session. Participants will learn more about each of them, vote to help us determine what to prioritize, and receive information on how to get involved in our advocacy efforts.
• The Midterms Are Coming: Who Represents You and Voting 101 – Understanding who and what is on the ballot this November is important – and getting out the vote of marginalized members of the LGBTQ+ community is crucial. Early voting starts October 29, and keeping New York a safe state for all is key to our survival. Participants will learn about the early voting process and propositions that are on the ballot and will be given a 1-pager resource guide on how to vote and voting rights.

>> CLOSING PLENARY | 8:30-9:00pm

• Reflections from the NYC Task Force on TGNCNBI Issues