Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Communities
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
Release Date: 04/02/2025
Ask Us Anything
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
On this episode of Rules of the Game, we dive into some of the most common – and pressing – questions we hear on our free nonprofit advocacy technical assistance hotline. From whether foundation funding can support voter registration efforts, to what nonprofits should know when attending rallies and advocating around local law enforcement cooperation with ICE, we break down the rules and offer practical guidance you can use to enhance your organization’s advocacy and community participation in elections and other public policy activities. We’ll discuss real world...
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Legislative Update
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
Legislative season is underway, and we’re seeing a wave of proposals that could significantly reshape the operating environment for nonprofits and advocacy organizations. We’re tracking over 1,000 bills across the country, and while some of them do positive things, like make improvements to our electoral system or increase voter turnout, unfortunately, most of these measures are taking aim at impactful nonprofit advocacy. These proposals collectively reflect an erosion of the civic space in the nonprofit ecosystem. We’re here to break down some of the key trends and help you stay...
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Litigation Update
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
On this edition, we open up the docket and get an update on the variety of court cases that impact tax-exempt organizations and their ability to advocate on the issues they care about. And to help with that, we’re joined once again by friend of the pod Emma Olson Sharkey from Elias Law Group to help demystify what’s happening in the courts and how it might impact you and your work. Attorneys for this episode Brittany Hacker Leonard Tim Mooney Emma Olson Sharkey – Elias Law Group Shownotes 501(c)(4) political activity Freedom Path, Inc. v. IRS (D.D.C.) Memorial Hermann Accountable...
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College Athletics, NIL and Nonprofits
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
One of the hottest topics in college athletics turns out to be about nonprofits. This episode unpacks how nonprofit colleges and third-party NIL collectives support individual student athletes, the governance and tax questions that follow, and what the recent NCAA settlement means for oversight and compliance. We also look ahead to emerging federal regulation and how nonprofits might engage in shaping what comes next. Attorneys for this Episode · Tim Mooney · Victor Rivera Why NIL Is a Nonprofit Issue ...
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Ask Us Anything: Voter Registration
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
In this episode, we’re answering questions from organizations about voter registration, which is, of course, timely given the upcoming midterm election season. Since these activities occur within an electoral framework, it's crucial to keep various legal aspects in mind while crafting and executing your voter registration campaigns. We’ll discuss the key considerations related to nonprofit tax law, federal election law, and state law. Attorneys for this episode Sarah Efthymiou Susan Finkle Sourlis Monika Graham Voter Registration ...
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Public Charities Can Lobby!
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
On this episode, we’re going back-to-basics to discuss the rules that apply when nonprofits engage in lobbying activities. With legislative sessions ramping-up in several states, it’s important to take time to understand the lobbying limits and definitions that apply to your organization’s advocacy. But, it’s even more important to recognize that public charities can lobby and advocate for or against legislation at the local, state, and federal levels. So, rally your staff and volunteers, and speak up, because...
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2026 Resolutions
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
Happy 2026! As policy shifts and new advocacy opportunities emerge, the Bolder Advocacy team is here to guide nonprofits so they can continue to advocate boldly while remaining compliant and effective. We’re kicking off the year with our Top 10 nonprofit New Year’s resolutions to help your organization thrive. Attorneys for This Episode Monika Graham Victor Rivera Labiosa Natalie Roetzel Ossenfort Top 10 2026 Resolutions: 1. Deepen Mission Alignment Clarity fuels momentum. Revisit your...
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Celebrating Advocacy Wins
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
It’s been a long year, and while progressive movements have faced real setbacks, that’s not the whole story. Across the country, nonprofits and the communities they serve pushed for justice and secured meaningful victories worth lifting up. On this episode, we celebrate several advocacy wins from 2025. Attorneys for this episode: Maggie Ellinger-Locke, she/her Susan Finkle Sourlis, she/her Melissa Marichal Zayas, she/her Link: Show Notes: · Economic Justice o In May, Washington became...
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Nonprofits Under Siege: Don’t Panic, Prepare!
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
In recent months, the threats facing nonprofit organizations have continued to develop at a furious pace. In the face of challenges like funding reductions and congressional investigations, nonprofits are taking the time to shore up their defenses and prepare for what’s to come. On this episode, we’ll discuss several recent events that have the sector talking so that your nonprofit can take the steps necessary to ensure your continued ability to boldly advocate on behalf of your communities. Attorneys for this episode · Brittany Hacker Leonard ...
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Giving Thanks
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
On this episode, we gather around the virtual table and share three success stories for nonprofit advocacy that may help to put a smile on your face and give you something positive to reflect on, in a year that could use a lot more of that. Attorneys for this episode · Tim Mooney · Quyen Tu · Sarah Efthymiou Shownotes UNIDOS MN Action and the power of advocacy · Driver’s licenses for undocumented people revoked in MN 2003 ...
info_outlineOn this episode of the Rules of the Game podcast (the first in an eight-part, issue-specific podcast series), we’ll discuss recent headlines impacting the LGBTQ+ community and explain how nonprofits can take action with legislative, executive branch, and judicial branch advocacy. From responding to executive orders to initiating litigation, nonprofits across the country are standing up to fight for our rights. This episode will highlight their work and provide information about the rules that apply when nonprofits engage in advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community.
Attorneys for this episode
Natalie Roetzel Ossenfort
Sarah Efthymiou
Brittany Hacker
Show notes
· Current Events/EOs:
o PFLAG Policy Matters Newsletter-federal and state-by-state legislative and litigation actions
o One EO creates Narrow definition of sex as binary male or female and has multiple other impacts
§ Directs HHS secretary to end coverage for gender-affirming care through the Affordable Care Act
§ Plans to move trans women in federal custody to men’s prisons
o Attempting to stop gender affirming care for people under 19
o Banning transgender people from serving in the military
o Administration terminated grants funded by the NIH focused on LGBTQ+ health issues. Planning to shut down the HIV prevention division of the CDC.
o Attacks on DEI initiatives and other generally bad EOs: dismantling department of ed, eliminating funding for nonprofits
· Advocacy
o Non-partisan 101: cannot support or oppose candidates for office
o Educating the public: stay updated on changes to law
§ Lead or attend trainings and conferences
§ March 31 is trans day of visibility
§ Orgs like HRC and PFLAG are doing a great job tracking and reporting on EOs and changes to laws
o Executive branch advocacy:
§ EO advocacy is not lobbying under tax code definitions
§ Oppose executive cabinet actions: submitting comments to proposed regulation changes like the State Department gender markers. Advocates for Trans Equality and others made easy guides and platforms on how to do this.
o Hold a rally: SCOTUS rally April 2 for case about access to Planned Parenthood services through Medicaid (Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic)
o Litigation:
§ Almost all of Trump’s actions affecting the LGBTQ+ community are already being heard in the courts and are currently on hold
§ PFLAG v. Trump: challenging EO that withholds funds from medical providers that provide gender-affirming care for people under 19 (currently have a preliminary injunction)
§ Federal judge granted preliminary injunction halting the trans military ban: NCLR and GLAD lawsuit
§ Ohio state appellate court ruled the state’s gender-affirming care ban unconstitutional
· Lobbying
o Tax Code Lobbying 101: Public charities can lobby! Track and report your local, state, and federal lobbying and stay within your limits.
o Federal trans athlete ban: was brought up and failed to advance in the Senate—lobbying win!
o Emphasize state-level work, local laws, ballot measures
§ Sanctuary cities for trans healthcare
§ Make protections for LGBTQ+ community greater than what the federal law requires
o Remember:
§ State / local level lobbyist registration and reporting requirements may apply when engaging in legislative and executive branch advocacy.
§ Ballot measure advocacy could implicate state / local campaign finance and election laws.
Resources
· Pride and Equity: The Advocacy Playbook for LGBTQ+ and HIV Communities
· Public Charities Can Lobby (Factsheet)
· Practical Guidance: what your nonprofit needs to know about lobbying in your state