Equality Pennsylvania, the state’s top LGBT advocacy organization, is hiring to fill two new positions: youth organizer and racial-justice organizer.
“We’re shifting from regional organizers to constituency organizers,” said Levana Layendecker, spokeswoman for the organization.
The change took effect at the beginning of the year.
“In our work, we weren’t having as much engagement as we felt we should with people who were 18-25 or people of color,” she said, noting Equality Pennsylvania has specific organizers for faith and transgender issues.
The four people previously employed as regional organizers have either taken on new roles with the Harrisburg-based organization or left for outside opportunities, like Maureen Gray, who formerly led organizing efforts in the Lehigh Valley and Poconos.
As part of a strategic-planning process undertaken last year by the board, Layendecker said, Equality Pennsylvania interviewed key LGBT leaders across the state and hosted a public online survey to get a sense of how state residents were reacting to their work.
“The regional organizers did amazing work,” Layendecker said. “What our constituent-based organizers were able to do was explore other issue areas and take deep dives into health care specifically or mobilizing faith groups.”
For volunteers, their interactions with Equality Pennsylvania may or may not change. Layendecker said volunteers who were recruited through specific channels, like church groups, will continue working with the same point person for the organization. People involved in general advocacy efforts may meet new organizers and work with one or several.
“We’re still committed to gaining discrimination protections for all LGBT people in Pennsylvania,” Layendecker said. “We believe this model will help us do that. We’re also really open to any feedback from the community.”
For more information, visit www.equalitypa.org.