Louisiana

Forum for Equality is Louisiana’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) human rights organization dedicated to the establishment of a society free from discrimination and to the support of good government. We believe that the fastest and most efficient way to achieve our goals is through community organization, education, and constructive participation in the political process. Since 1989, Forum has been active in Louisiana by helping to pass civil rights advancements for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Our Mission

To support survivors of sexual trauma, improve systems response, and create social change to end sexual violence.

Our Vision

To build a healthy community free from oppression and sexual trauma.

Our Philosophy

We are committed to:

• Addressing sexual violence as a public health problem, not simply a concern of an individual who experiences sexual trauma
• Challenging attitudes, beliefs and behaviors within our culture that normalize, excuse, condone and perpetuate violence and oppression
• Preventing sexual violence through a multi-level approach including primary prevention, therapeutic intervention and trauma-informed supportive response
• Protecting survivors’ rights
• Ensuring that every survivor of sexual violence has the right to confidential and competent services, regardless of their age, background, gender, race, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or decision to report
• Increasing survivors’ power and visibility in the community
• Building community capacity to address sexual violence by creating meaningful partnerships with individuals, organizations and institutions that believe in our mission and want to help us fulfill our vision
• Revolutionary change to fundamentally transform ourselves, our clients and our communities