RiseOut Bootcamp is a one-stop-shop for advocacy and civic engagement, where people at every level of advocacy expertise can come together, learn the history of the LGBTQ movement, what we’re still fighting for and how you can take action to make a difference in New York and your local community.
The Stonewall Riots of 1969 were a testament to the bravery of our community against injustice during the early years of the LGBTQ rights movement. Nearly 50 years later, our struggle for full equality continues.
When marriage equality passed in New York in 2011, our state stood out as a model for progressive change. It was the culmination of decades of LGBTQ activism and advocacy. But since then, there have been no statewide laws enacted to advance the rights of the LGBTQ community. We still see disparities in access to basic services and the quality of life for LGBTQ New Yorkers, particularly for LGBTQ people of color, transgender and gender nonconforming New Yorkers, immigrants, women and youth. Too many still face issues like housing insecurity, economic instability and the constant threat of violence.
With RiseOut Bootcamp, you can help New York take action once again by bringing together diverse voices in your community to make a concerted, coordinated push to shatter the barriers to LGBTQ equity that remain.
New York recently passed critical laws to protect the rights of the LGBTQ community after eight years of inaction. Despite this growing momentum, our community still faces extreme disparities in basic services and quality of life. Furthermore, threats from the White House and uncertainty from the Supreme Court remind us that our rights are not guaranteed at the federal level—making progressive action at the state level all the more important.
Our community has not consistently mobilized to protect and affirm LGBTQ New Yorkers as one—until now. Community leaders from every region in New York worked together to develop an inclusive, people-centered plan known as The RiseOut People’s Platform, a shared vision of justice and equity for the future of LGBTQ New Yorkers with the understanding that our community’s voice is strongest when we all work together.
The Platform reflects our values as a diverse, intersectional community and our goal to create lasting change.
Marches and rallies allow people to connect face-to-face with their neighbors and show solidarity. There are more than 1 million people who are part of the LGBTQ community across New York State who can work together to increase visibility and raise awareness of LGBTQ issues.
This is an opportunity to highlight local issues that affect the community. Leaders respond to how many people turn out, so there’s no replacement for showing up and making your voice heard.
Find Town Halls and Public Forums
Representatives are more responsive to their constituents when they hear from them directly and meet them in person. Regularly contacting your legislator to discuss issues that you care about can make a huge impact. There’s also strength in numbers, so encourage your friends and family to get in contact as well to make an even bigger impact.
Donating to a non-profit organization or cause that you feel is important can directly support efforts to organize and distribute resources, even when you don’t have the time to be physically involved. Learn how you can support The Center’s advocacy work at gaycenter.org/riseoutny.
What happens in the federal government is important, but don’t forget that state and local policies also affect your everyday life. State and local laws can fill the gap in community needs and protections that federal laws don’t fully cover.
Federal laws are rules that apply in every state, such as:
State laws apply to people who live or work in New York State, such as:
Local laws for counties, cities, towns and villages impact your day-to-day quality of life, such as:
Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate represent the interests of their states and districts as a whole. New Yorkers rely on their Congress members to make their voices heard on matters that deal with federal policy. Members of Congress are elected directly by popular vote—your vote!
There are 100 members of the Senate, each elected to serve a six-year term. Each state has two senators.
There are 435 members of the House elected to serve a two-year term. The number of House members in each state varies based on the state’s population.
Learn How a Bill Becomes a Law
Governor: The Governor serves the highest executive office in the state. They have the power to appoint and remove judges to the Court of Appeals, and commissioners of most departments, boards and commissions. The Governor also enforces state laws, can call the legislature into a special session and can sign or veto bills passed by both houses of the state legislature.
Lieutenant Governor: The Lieutenant Governor is elected on the same ticket with the Governor. They preside over the Senate, serve as the Governor’s right hand, and can make decisions in the Governor’s absence.
State Attorney General: The Attorney General is the state’s representative in all legal actions and proceedings. They’re “the people’s lawyer,” who enforces and protects the legal rights of all citizens of the state.
New York State Senate and Assembly: There are 63 seats in the New York State Senate. State Senators are elected by voters in their state senate districts. They introduce and vote on legislation which, if passed in the same form by both houses of the legislature and signed by the Governor, becomes state law. Senators also approve the state budget, advise and consent on the Governor’s nominees to the Court of Appeals and may pass amendments to the state constitution.
There are 150 seats in the New York State Assembly. Members of the Assembly are elected by voters in their state assembly districts. They have the same responsibilities as the Senate, except they don’t advise on and consent to the Governor’s nominees to the Court of Appeals. A 2/3 vote of both the Senate and Assembly can override bills that have been vetoed by the Governor.
Research goes a long way to help you make an informed decision on the candidates that best represent the issues you care about. There are a number of websites that make it easy for you to find your elected officials.
Here are a few:
Elections are important because your vote is your voice, and you can use your vote to speak up about the issues that matter to you. Want to change something? It’s up to you to raise your voice for the future that you want to see.
To register to vote, you have to be:
What about people with experiences of incarceration?
First, complete a voter registration form with your signature. Then you’ll need to either mail or hand-deliver the form to your local county Board of Elections. Don’t know if you’re registered? Double check online at voterlookup.elections.state.ny.us.
Guide to the New York State Voter Registration Form
If you already have a Driver’s License, Non-Driver’s ID card or Learner’s Permit issued by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), you can register to vote or update your voter registration on the DMV website: dmv.ny.gov/mydmv.