2026-28 Strategic Initiatives

Strengthen the organizing and political power of the U.S. transgender rights movement by promoting civic engagement in the community, maintaining key government relationships, directly leading or partnering in advocacy and organizing campaigns, and building infrastructure to train and mobilize the next generation of transgender political candidates and organizers.

Promote Civic Participation  

• State Ballot Initiatives: Lead or support strategic state ballot campaigns mobilizing communities to defend and advance transgender rights building long-term organizing power, voter awareness, and transgender leadership. 
• Transform the White House (2028): Engage presidential campaigns and party leadership to advance a pro-trans platform, coordinate national advocacy presence, and prepare policy guidance for future administrations. 
• Get Out the Vote – Voters for Trans Equality (2026, 2028): Drive voter engagement by equipping voters, partners, and election stakeholders with resources, education, and outreach that expand access to voting and ensure informed, safe, inclusive participation in elections. 
• Movement Infrastructure: Build and expand training programs and partnerships to develop a skilled pipeline of organizers and campaign leaders who can effectively engage communities and drive sustained involvement in democratic processes. 
• Candidate Training and Endorsement: Strengthen candidate pipelines through endorsements, trainings, and partnerships to increase the number and success of transgender and allied candidates while encouraging broader engagement in elections.

Build Durable Partnerships 

• Government Affairs: Develop and execute strategic engagement with congressional and key state/local officials through advocacy, relationship-building, and targeted outreach to advance legislative priorities and cultivate long-term champions. 
• Policy: Strengthen enduring partnerships with state leaders by providing comprehensive policy support, technical assistance, and strategic coordination while producing resources and guidance to inform and advance advocacy efforts. 
• Coalition Building: Build and sustain collaborative partnerships across national and state coalitions and leadership tables to align strategies, share expertise, and strengthen collective advocacy impact. 
• Field Organizing: Lead and coordinate organizing and community engagement efforts that mobilize partners and communities—cultivating lasting partnerships through sustained strategies that support advocacy, ballot initiatives, and expanded civic participation.

Advocate for laws and policies by providing bill analysis and model legislation, coordinating critical collaborators, and leveraging A4TE’s expertise and credibility to influence the course of opposed or supported legislation. 

Policy Development and Engagement 

• Lawmaker Engagement: Strengthen policymaker understanding and engagement by equipping lawmakers with timely briefings, accessible resources, and constituent perspectives that deepen understanding of transgender issues, inform legislative decision-making, and support coordinated advocacy efforts. 
• Policy Coordination: Advance effective policymaking by building strong legislative relationships, providing expert testimony and technical assistance, and mobilizing coordinated community action to influence key policy decisions. 
• Legislative Advocacy: Drive proactive and responsive legislative engagement by partnering with legislative champions on bill development, providing policy analysis and messaging support, and coordinating advocacy strategies to influence the legislative process. 
• Congressional Record: Ensure strategic influence in the legislative process by developing resources for hearings and official proceedings, preparing expert testimony and materials, and leveraging congressional relationships support A4TE priorities.

Provide timely and relevant legal expertise that preserves access to democratic systems. Disseminate well-vetted, evidence-based information to our community that is focused on the individual, political and legal rights of those with the greatest need.

Accessible and Accurate Resources 

• Program Training and Materials: Provide accessible and accurate resources by maintaining up-to-date legal and policy information and delivering trainings that equip advocates, professionals, and community members with reliable, actionable guidance. 
• Accessible Self-Help Resources: Develop and maintain clear, user-friendly legal and health tools, directories, and guidance materials, supported by partnerships that improve usability, language access, and reach.  

Defend and advance transgender equality through strategic litigation and legal efforts focused on achieving material improvements in transgender people’s lives. This will aid in the survival of transgender people during this ongoing crisis period, the identification of new legal arguments, and efforts to further “harden” the record of civil rights law protecting transgender people.     

Strengthen the Legal Record 

• Strategic Litigation and Legal Advocacy: Advance targeted legal strategies by pursuing strategic litigation, coordinating expert legal analysis, and partnering across advocacy and communications teams to ensure cases, testimony, and outcomes are thoroughly documented and clearly establish key legal arguments and impacts. 
• Amicus Brief Development: Strengthen legal advocacy by producing robust, well-supported amicus briefs in partnership with pro bono counsel and movement allies, ensuring that broader legal, historical, and evidentiary context is preserved and incorporated into the court record. 
• State Legal Strategy: Develop and operationalize state-level legal strategies by convening legal experts, generating detailed testimony and policy analysis, and creating adaptable legal tools and resources to support coordinated advocacy and litigation efforts. 

Develop materials and trainings focused on educating key audiences on A4TE’s core issues through legal and policy resources (i.e., policy explainers, Know-Your-Rights Guides, etc.), original and commissioned research, and other related publications. Develop new narrative efforts and content specifically tied to A4TE’s core issues to directly engage new audiences with the organization’s mission, issues, and work.

Promote Expertise and Storytelling 

• Thought Leadership: Establish A4TE as a trusted authority by building strong media relationships and delivering timely, informative content that shapes public understanding of transgender issues. 
• Messaging and Narrative: Advance impactful storytelling by crafting compelling, audience-specific narratives, aligning messaging with partners, and training spokespeople to effectively share stories that educate and influence. 
• Research: Strengthen evidence-based advocacy by generating, expanding, and sharing high-quality research and data that informs policy, supports state efforts, and elevates understanding of transgender experiences. 

Strengthen A4TE’s Reputation 

• Digital and Social Media: Strengthen digital presence by producing authentic, high-quality content, expanding engagement, and building partnerships with trusted community voices to grow audiences and deepen connection across emerging platforms. 
• Professional Associations and Partnership: Build and activate strategic partnerships with professional associations and allied organizations to drive coordinated advocacy, resource-sharing, and engagement across key audiences and states. 
• “Top-of-Mind” Marketing and Promotion: Elevate visibility and public support through compelling messaging, timely and mission-driven content, and strategic campaigns that engage supporters and expand A4TE’s reach. 

Invest resources and time to develop a workplace that can incubate the future of trans talent by rooting its culture in trust, respect, excellence, and care. Foster greater awareness, connection, and access to transgender and LGBTQI+ movement spaces and opportunities.  

Foster Strong Transgender Talent 

• Standardized Systems: Strengthen organizational effectiveness by building clear, consistent organizational systems that align roles, leadership pathways, and performance expectations to support growth and advancement towards A4TE’s mission and strategy. 
• Culture and Learning: Foster an inclusive, values-driven workplace creating an inclusive, learning-centered workplace that expands anti-oppression education, accessibility, and onboarding experiences that support development and belonging. 
• Labor Relations: Build a collaborative and informed workplace by strengthening a transparent, collaborative workplace culture that ensures clear expectations, equitable engagement, and strong partnership in supporting staff needs. 
• Professional Development and Growth: Invest in staff and emerging leaders through structured learning, career pathway programs, and consistent mentorship to build long-term organizational capacity. 
• Talent Planning: Support sustainable growth by aligning hiring and resource allocation with financial benchmarks and strategic priorities in support of long-term organizational impact.