The National Center for Transgender Equality Action Fund is the political action arm of the National Center for Transgender Equality. It was founded in 2017 to oppose Trump administration rollbacks of social-liberal legal policies established by the Obama administration’s regulatory guidance. [1]
Political Activity
The Action Fund endorsed a number of candidates in 2017 and 2018 and engaged in direct campaigning. [2][3] It also provided a voter guide aimed at transgender individuals. [4]
Among its many political and policy initiatives, the Action Fund hired a PR firm in early 2019 to engage on its initiatives related to REAL ID, allowing gender-confused Americans to serve in the military, and The Equality Act. [5]
The Action Fund was credited for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s (D-NY) proposal to force health insurers to cover hormone and surgery related to attempts to change gender. [6]
Funding and Finances
It raised $163,004 in 2017 and spent $62,772 that year. [7]
People
Mara Keisling is the executive director of the Action Fund. Keisling also serves as executive director and founded the original center in 2003. [8][9] Keisling was born male and now identifies as a woman. [10]
In May 2019, Keisling told The New Republic that her organization and other groups which represent transgender activists are focusing on stopping President Donald Trump’s agenda and stopping him from being re-elected. [11]
Attorney Alexander Garnick is president of the Action Fund and a board member of the Center. [12]