How to Join the NGLTF

Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NLGTF) is a national organization whose aim is to build political power and complete equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) community through lobbying, grassroots organizing and other strategies. NLGTF is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation, and contributions to it are not tax-deductible because of its lobbying work. NLGTF also operates a think tank called the Policy Institute.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Call the NLGTF national membership office at [phone] to request a membership information packet and get contact information for the NLGTF officer or chapter nearest you. In addition to its New York and Washington offices, the NLGTF also has offices in Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Miami and Cambridge, MA.
2. Join NGLTF as a general member with a modest annual donation. General membership entitles you to receive the NLGTF's quarterly political magazine, "Creating Change," information on membership actions and events and an annual subscription either to "The Advocate" or to "Instinct Magazine."
3. Provide ongoing support to the NGLTF campaign for LGBT equality with a modest monthly contribution through the Task Force's Advocates' Council. These monthly pledges can help the NLGTF defray the costs of expanded grassroots mobilization, voter identification campaigns and public awareness campaigns to alert citizens to attacks and threats to the LGBT community.
4. Visit the membership page on the NGLTF website to explore the benefits for which you are eligible when you join (see Resources below). These include discount or affinity programs with American Airlines, Avis and Lambda Rising bookstores as well as hotels and other businesses.
5. Strengthen the impact of your NGLTF membership by becoming an activist for LGBT equality, making additional financial contributions or holding an NGLTF house party. Information on these modes of participation is available on the NGLTF website.
6. Help another member to join the Task Force with a gift membership. Such a gift can provide another individual with the pleasure of being able to make a difference by participating the national campaign to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered Americans.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have already joined the NGLTF and are planning a wedding, civil union or civil commitment ceremony, you may want to consider asking your guests to join or contribute to NGLTF rather than establishing a traditional gift registry. Just contact NGLTF at [phone] for organizing assistance.