Immigrant rights are LGBT rights!

Equality California Institute is proud to unveil Equality4All, a statewide effort to increase awareness and participation for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and other naturalization programs. EQCAI is leading a collaborative of LGBT organizations across the state to help LGBT and non-LGBT undocumented individuals come out of the shadows and become fully integrated into the economic, civic, and social life of the state.

LGBT people are represented in every community in California and throughout the country, including in undocumented and immigrant communities. Until our nation has a just and functional immigration system, we do not have full and lasting LGBT equality. For undocumented LGBT people, they face tremendous negative effects on their social well-being for being members of two marginalized groups. This results in LGBT undocumented people being some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Improving the lives of LGBT undocumented Californians requires that we improve the lives of ALL undocumented Californians.

Did You Know?

• There are an estimated 250,000 undocumented LGBT immigrants in the state. You know them. They are your friends, family, neighbors and coworkers.
• The LGBT community need the support from the undocumented community and their allies to expand our goals and priorities. We must work together to reach full equality for all of us.
• Our community is stronger when everyone works together. It’s important that we understand the needs of ALL marginalized groups. Especially, marginalized groups who can relate to the struggles that we have experienced as LGBT people.
• Immigrants contribute an estimated $650 billion to the California economy. These economic contributions cannot go unnoticed.
• Many HIV+ undocumented Californians have no access to life-saving HIV medications.
• Keeping EVERYONE in our community safe and equal, keeps us all strong.

LGBT people are part of all communities. In order to bring undocumented LGBT people out from the shadows and into the full scope of our community, we need to seek social justice for the communities that they are a part of. For non-LGBT undocumented people, we must also prioritize their needs and issues. Our respective communities do not exist apart from each other. Undocumented Californians are members of our families, friends, partners, neighbors and coworkers.

What You Can Do To Help

For Equality California Institute, it’s not just about the civil rights of LGBT people, we support social justice for everyone. As a community who has been the subject of discrimination, we understand the injustices faced by undocumented Californians and are committed to social justice for all communities that LGBT people are part of. Here’s what you can do to become more involved:

• If you or someone you know is undocumented, please be sure to sign up for our email updates.
• Pledge your support on social media for the undocumented community. Download our social media toolkit for sample messaging and be sure to tag Equality California in your posts!
• Encourage local LGBT organizations to participate in the DACA and naturalization issue. Direct local LGBT organizations to our website for more information.
• If you are an immigrant advocate or work for an organization that provides services to undocumented people, we encourage you to partner with local LGBT organizations your area.
• If you or someone you know is a lawyer or paralegal, and would like to provide pro bono assistance for DACA and naturalization programs and events, click here.

Equality4All is made possible through the generous contribution and support from the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund and the Four Freedoms Fund.