7 Lgbt Organizations In Los Angeles That You May Not Have Heard Of

If you’re a Los Angeles resident, you likely know that California has some of the strongest LGBT anti-discrimination laws in the entire nation. But even though California’s LGBT rights laws started to receive recognition as early as the 1960s, recent EEOC charge statistics show that sexual orientation discrimination still occurs in the workplace, even in California.

Thankfully, there are a large number of LGBT organizations in Los Angeles whose missions include empowering the LGBT community by combating discrimination and violence based upon sexual orientation. While we’ve already shared some of the most well-known Los Angeles LGBT organizations and transgender resources, we’ve decided to showcase seven more that you may not have heard of – until now.

LGBT Organizations in Los Angeles

1.) Bienestar

East Los Angeles-based Bienestar, is a grass-roots, non-profit, community-based service organization that was established in 1989. Bienestar is dedicated to positively impacting the health and well-being of the Los Angeles Latino gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. The organization’s approach empowers Los Angeles individuals to improve their physical and mental health, and to become “agents of change” as they build awareness of critical issues, policies and legislation that require political action and funding.

2.) Founders MCC

Founders MCC (Metropolitan Community Church) Los Angeles is a progressive Christian community of faith that honors, values and welcomes all people. Rooted in the LGBTQ community, Founders MCC is also welcoming to heterosexual Christians. The organization preaches a relevant, vibrant and scripture-based message that celebrates spirituality and sexuality, regardless of sexual orientation. “We challenge each other to make our lives count, as we invite everyone to be transformed in mind, body and spirit. From a place of trust, wholeness and holiness, we reach out as the hands, feet, and heart of Christ through acts of justice and compassion to make a difference in our world.”

3.) Hollywood Homeless Youth Partnership

The Hollywood Homeless Youth Partnership (HHYP) is a partnership of youth-serving agencies that prevent and reduce homelessness among youth and young adults through service impact, research & evaluation, training & capacity building, and policy & advocacy. HHYP has partnered with the Los Angeles LGBT Center to provide thousands of homeless Los Angeles area LGBT young people with food, shelter, employment programs, and more.

4.) Point Foundation

The Point Foundation (Point) is on a mission to empower promising LGBTQ students to achieve their full academic and leadership potential in order to make a positive impact on society. Point is the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for LGBTQ students of merit, and promotes change through scholarship funding, mentorship, leadership development, and community service training.

5.) Popluck Club

The mission of Southern California-based Popluck Club is to advance the well-being of gay dads and their children through mutual support, community collaboration, and public understanding. Founded in 1998, Popluck Club is a community that builds families through fostering, adoption, co-parenting, and surrogacy. This all-volunteer organization provides children and the greater communities of Los Angeles and Orange County with positive images of gay parenting. The organization’s membership includes 700+ gay fathers and prospective dads, and is the largest known group of its kind.

6.) Satrang

Satrang is the only South Asian organization serving the LGBTQ population in Southern California. The organization promotes awareness, empowerment, acceptance and safe spaces for people with all sexual and gender identities. Through social, educational, and advocacy related events, Satrang’s mission is to enable the South Asian LGBTQ community to establish cultural visibility and take a stand against oppression and discrimination.

7.) Varsity Gay League – Los Angeles

Varsity Gay League owner, Will Hackner, was frustrated with the lack of activities (outside of bars, parties and non-profit organizations) for the LGBT community, so he decided to start Varsity Gay League in 2007. He discovered an under-served culture in Los Angeles who were looking for new ways to socialize. With what started with 50 people playing Capture the Flag, Varsity Gay League is now the largest LGBT sports league in California, serving 1000s of players, statewide. Leagues and events range from kickball, tennis, bowling, soccer, flag football, beach volleyball, trampoline dodgeball, trivia, game nights, and much more.

The passionate employment attorneys at Hennig Ruiz not only support LGBT organizations in Los Angeles, but volunteer their time to the California LGBT community. Our employment law attorneys are also dedicated to protecting LGBT rights in the workplace. If you feel you’ve been discriminated against or harassed on the job due to your sexual orientation, contact us today for a free consultation.