Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, D.C.

The Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance (GLAA) of Washington, D.C. is a United States not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the rights of gay men and lesbians in the District of Columbia.

Founding and History

GLAA was founded on April 20, 1971, as the Gay Activists Alliance of Washington, evolving from the campaign of gay rights activist Frank Kameny for Congress in 1970[2][3]. The organization was patterned after the New York City-based Gay Activists Alliance and sought to secure full rights for gay citizens[3].

Objectives and Activities

GLAA focuses on legislative efforts and advocacy to enhance legal protections for the LGBTQ community in Washington, D.C. Key achievements include contributing to the passage of the D.C. Human Rights Act, repealing sodomy laws, advocating for domestic partnerships, and supporting marriage equality[2][3]. The Alliance also functions as a watchdog to ensure that local agencies, particularly the police department, work cooperatively with the LGBTQ community[2].

Advocacy and Impact

Throughout its history, GLAA has been instrumental in shaping policies that protect LGBTQ individuals. This includes leading efforts to pass hate crimes legislation and promoting AIDS awareness and support initiatives[3][4]. Additionally, GLAA collaborates with other organizations to advance LGBTQ rights at both local and national levels[2].

Organizational Structure

GLAA operates as a volunteer organization with no paid staff. Members work to rate political candidates based on their stance on LGBTQ issues, maintaining a non-partisan stance focused solely on gay rights[2].

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay_Activists_Alliance [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay_and_Lesbian_Activists_Alliance [3] https://outhistory.org/exhibits/show/glaa-of-washington-dc/glaa-history/timeline-1971-1990 [4] https://www.historians.org/perspectives-article/lgbtq-history-in-washington-dc/ [5] https://dcpreservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Washington-LGBTQ-Historic-Context-Statement.pdf