Statements & Filings

We believe that all people—including LGBTQI+ people—deserve equitable, meaningful access to services, programs, and employment funded by American foreign assistance no matter where they may be.

In the fight to ensure that marginalized individuals and the content they rely on are protected from undue censorship online, LGBT Tech has partnered with a coalition of civil organizations in filing an amicus brief in NetChoice v. Bonita

A coalition led by Chamber of Progress sends letter opposing SB 454, a different Florida bill that would require social media companies to prevent youth access to content related to sexual exploitation and give parents more control over teens’ accounts.

Garden State Equality and Planned Parenthood Action Fund of NJ today urged the State Legislature to reject a bill that would impose highly restrictive regulations on Internet access. The bill, A5750/S4215, would have New Jersey join the ranks of states like Utah and Arkansas by requiring age verification for anyone using social media.

LGBT Tech joins a coalition of a dozen tech and civil society groups submitting an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in NetChoice & CCIA v. Moody / Paxton, urging the Court to overturn Texas and Florida anti-content moderation laws. The brief argues that the Court should affirm platforms’ First Amendment right to curate content and highlights the impact of anti-content moderation laws on marginalized groups.

Last month, a group of Republicans led by Sen. Ted Cruz introduced the Eyes on the Board Act. The bill, which would strip away E-Rate funding from schools and libraries unless they block access to social media sites, represents an escalation in the ongoing assault on libraries and teens’ access to information across the country. For children in low-income communities who depend on subsidized internet access and
social media for education and connection, this bill amounts to a digital book ban.

LGBT Tech writes to support measures aimed at protecting the privacy, safety, and mental health of youth online, while urging that the efforts to do so preserve access to the online tools relied upon by LGBTQ+ youth to explore their identities, seek resources, and find community.

The Communications Equity and Diversity Council (CEDC) plays a crucial, nonpartisan role in shaping policies that foster equity and diversity in digital communication services and products across the United States. LGBT Tech joins MMTC and other organizations urging the House of Representatives to oppose the upcoming vote on bill HR-4664, which, following an amendment to the bill last week, proposes to defund the CEDC.

LGBT Tech and 73 other organizations and LGBTQ+ centers from around the country sent a letter to 101 Democrats in the Senate and House of Representatives, expressing concern with the Kids Online Safety bill (S.1409), or KOSA, currently being considered in the Senate.

LGBT Tech signs onto PA SB 22 Coalition Letter which can ultimately amount to a "digital book ban." A coalition of civil society and tech groups are calling on Pennsylvania lawmakers to stop a toxic new bill targeting teen access to online resources.

LGBT Tech Signs Civil Society Letter to OMB re: Global LGBTQI+ Funding in the FY 2025 in hopes that the Biden Administration will finally request sufficient resources for global LGBTQI+ programs that make our world safer and more secure for all its citizens, no matter who they are or whom they love.

The STOP CSAM Act would severely jeopardize the rights of Americans to communicate online freely and privately. It will censor critical information for some of America’s most vulnerable groups, like LGBTQ+ youth and those seeking reproductive care.

A year has passed since the Blueprint's release, and the need for education-related AI protections is as pressing as ever, particularly with the rapid rise of generative AI. Recent research by the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) highlights that students continue to face harm from AI-driven technologies, particularly concerning civil rights issues.

LGBT Tech signs letter opposing the California Bill AB 1394 which proposes to regulate online platforms and content hosting services with the intention of combating harmful and illegal content. While we support the bill’s aim to protect children, we are concerned that some of its provisions echo similar provisions in the federal FOSTA/SESTA legislation passed in 2018, which had significant detrimental effects on vulnerable and marginalized communities.

LGBT Tech signs a letter opposing proposed changes to the American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA) that would dramatically infringe upon the civil liberties of Americans, providing law enforcement with tools for surveillance and prosecution without the need for a warrant or due process.

The letter expresses strong opposition to the Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of Interactive Technologies Act of 2023 (EARN IT, S.1207).

The letter encourages the promotion of Digital Readiness Training, to increase awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), engage multicultural stakeholders, and monitor and evaluate program outcomes

The letter offers reply comments on the Commission’s open proceeding regarding the Prevention and Elimination of Digital Discrimination – GN Docket No. 22-69.

LGBT Tech joined human rights and LGBTQ+ organizations in signing a letter addressed to Congress supporting the nomination of Gigi Sohn as FCC Commissioner. This letter asks Members of Congress to consider her qualifications and move her nomination forward.

LGBT Tech joined dozens of human rights and LGBTQ+ organizations in signing a letter addressed to Congress opposing the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). This letter expresses serious concerns about KOSA and how it can and will be weaponized against LGBTQ+ people.

LGBT Tech signed on to letter by letter by HRC on the FY 2024 global LGBTQI+ funding request to OMB for $40m for the State Department's Global Equality Fund and $30m for USAID Inclusive Development Hub's Protection of LGBTQI+ Persons

LGBT Tech signs a letter opposing South Carolina Senate Bill 1373 which would make it more
difficult for women and all pregnant people to access factual information online about safe reproductive health services.

The letter calls on the Office for Civil Rights to issue a policy statement that clarifies the intersection of civil rights laws and student activity monitoring, condemns uses of student activity monitoring that run afoul of students’ civil rights and civil liberties, and states OCR’s intent to take enforcement action against violations that result in discrimination, especially against historically marginalized groups of students.

The FCC’s spectrum auction authority will expire on Sept. 30, 2022. If that occurs, not only would the FCC's authority to complete the current 2.5 GHz auction be questioned, but it will also prevent it from auctioning any other spectrum for wireless services. The House recently enacted legislation that would extend the auction authority for 18 months. However, some Senate leadership are attempting to hold out for a ten-year authorization that doesn't appear feasible given the current situation. The letter urges Senate leadership to adopt the 18-month extension.

Operation: Safe Escape and LGBT Tech stress the vital importance of encrypted communications for victims of domestic abuse and for LGBTQ+ people in countries where they face harassment, victimization and even the threat of execution. Far from making them safer, denying at-risk people a confidential lifeline puts them at greater and sometimes mortal risk.