The Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell vs. Hodges made marriage equality the law of the land throughout the United States, and was the culmination of one of the most rapid social changes the nation has ever seen.

While the progress of marriage equality is significant, LGBTQ communities still face significant challenges, including possible backlash from the changes, the lack of employment protections in about half of the states, homelessness and other obstacles often experienced by LGBTQ youth, so-called "religious freedom" policies that allow for faith-based discrimination, and the removal of nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people in places like Houston.

The campaign around the Houston law starkly showed some of the obstacles that still need to be addressed, as it came with political commercials clearly demonstrating that some prejudicial and distorted views of LGBTQ individuals remain acceptable.

Forefront’s Funding LGBTQ Issues Group gathered for a session called What Now? The Future of LGBTQ Philanthropy, at which group members talked about the next steps that are needed and plan actions that can promote equity and human rights. Jon Quinn, an advisor at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, moderated the conversation; which featured Brad Clark, Vice President of Partnerships at the Gill Foundation; Lyle Matthew Kan, Director of Research and Communications for Funders for LGBTQ Issues; and Jeanne Kracher, Executive Director of the Crossroads Fund.

One of the central points of the discussion was the need to maintain and support the elements that had led to the success of the marriage equality movement — the impactful messaging, the broad-based alliances, and the energy and commitment from activists. If that energy flags, the future changes will falter, and critical inequities will remain unaddressed.

Participants in the discussion noted that energy was needed for an array of issues, both those directly affecting LGBTQ organizations and those that are broader-based but still have particular concerns to LGBTQ people. Immigration-reform groups provided positive support during the marriage equality movement, and these alliances need to be maintained, said Lyle Matthew Kan of Funders for LGBTQ Issues. Allies need to feel like they will not be abandoned when their central issues move to the top of national discussions, and continued LGBTQ involvement can ensure that reforms take into account LGBTQ perspectives.

Mr. Kan also spoke about maintaining the support of each community represented by the individual letter of the LGBTQ acronym. Transgender people experience high levels of harassment, social stigma, and particular healthcare needs, and the entire LGBTQ community needs to support solutions to those issues to help keep the alliance strong.

Jeanne Kracher of the Crossroads Fund spoke of the diverse kinds of leadership the LGBTQ community has seen in the past, including the creativity to move causes forward without traditional philanthropic support. She said that she has been encouraged by the strength of LGBTQ youth leaders helping a variety of issues move forward, including the opening of a trauma unit on Chicago’s South Side. The strength, energy, and creativity of these leaders can lead to great progress, while also ensuring that LGBTQ voices are heard on a variety of issues.

Visibility is important to helping progress continue, said Brad Clark of the Gill Foundation. The Obama administration has been working to makes changes in areas where only executive authority is needed, including telling LGBTQ history through our parks and public places. This type of visibility is important, as states that have some of the weakest protections for LGBTQ individuals also seem to have less visibility of LGBTQ people. As people in states learn more about the roles LGBTQ people play in their community, they often become more open to supporting needed protections, such as laws against employment and housing discrimination.

Finding the right messages for the issues that need to be addressed will not be easy, but it is important since messages about love proved to be so important in the marriage equality movement. Crafting those messages while supporting alliances and building up strong communities of activists will be part of the critical work that participants in this session will carry forward.

— Meeting notes by Jason Hardy, Forefront Member Support