Advocates for Trans Equality fights for the legal and political rights of transgender people in America.
Leveraging decades of experience on the frontlines of power, we shift government and society towards a future where we are no less than equal. A4TE was founded in 2024 as the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) and Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF), two long-time champions for the trans community, merged together as one organization. A4TE builds on their successes to boldly imagine a world where trans people live their lives joyfully and without barriers.
Our policy experts, litigators, and community organizers work at all levels of government to ensure trans voices are not only heard, but embraced in rooms where they've long been ignored. As a trans-led nonprofit, we also help our community navigate the realities of law and policy through vital tools, knowledge, and services.
Beliefs
Trans people deserve equality.
Trans people are valued members of society, and we deserve to have the resources we need to live our fullest lives.
Trans voices matter.
The movement for trans lives must be led for and by trans people. We are our best advocates, and our voices have power.
Partnership brings progress.
A4TE brings together two organizations with a long history of winning tangible changes to advance trans rights in our political and legal systems.
A brighter future is possible.
Our lives and our futures require us all to hold optimism and hope. We believe we have the power to build a world where trans people thrive.
Work
ID Documents Center
This is a detailed guide explaining how trans people can change their name and/or gender marker on official documents, such as IDs, passports, social security, birth certificates, immigration records, and more.
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Trans Health Project
A comprehensive, systematic approach to expanding access to medical care for transgender people through litigation and public education. Learn how health insurance works and how to get the trans health care coverage to which you are entitled.
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Name Change Project
Name Change Project provides pro bono legal name change services to low-income transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary people through partnerships with some of the nation's most prestigious law firms and corporate law departments.
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State Action Center
Learn how you can get involved in activism in your state to protect trans rights. The State Action Center hosts information about legislation impacting trans people across the country, and concrete actions you can take to defend trans lives.
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U.S. Trans Survey
The largest ever survey of the lives and experiences of trans people in the United States. The USTS helps inform policymakers, educators, healthcare providers, and others, providing real data about what it means to be trans in America.
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News
National Center for Transgender Equality, Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund Announce Intent to Merge to Form “Advocates for Trans Equality”
Today, the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) and the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF), two leading national trans civil rights organizations, officially announced their intent to merge and create a new organization called Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE).
In the press
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January, 17 2024
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WA Blade
Rising voices, unifying forces: Two trans-led organizations will merge to confront a new era of attacks
In the press
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February 9, 2024
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AP
Faced with wave of hostile bills, transgender rights leaders are playing “a defense game”
In the press
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January 17, 2024
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NBC News
Two of the country’s largest transgender rights organizations will merge
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NCTE and TLDEF combined have 40 years of experience on the frontlines of advocacy. With a record number of attacks on trans people and trans rights, now more than ever, we need to be twice as loud and twice as bold. Because we are stronger together, we need you with us in the fight for a world where trans people are no less than equal. Donate today.