Project LPAC is a research organization focused on LGBT issues associated with LPAC (formerly known as the Lesbian Political Action Committee). 1
Project LPAC devised transgender policy messaging based on polling that stated more people are likely to support transgender interests if framed as a matter of moral values and freedom. Project LPAC claims that younger LGBT generations are committed to left-of-center policy change but less likely to vote. Project LPAC also claims that following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court case, LGBT women feared that abortion, same-sex marriage, and same-sex intimacy may be banned.
History
Project LPAC was formed in 2019 as a nonprofit research organization under LPAC, a super PAC focused on endorsing and electing LGBT and gender-nonbinary candidates. 2 Project LPAC provides research and data on LGBT women’s views and activities in the political process and publishes findings for corporations, organizations, and non-governmental entities. 3
Positions
Project LPAC has stated that conservatives have used legislation regulating transgender participation in sports as a political wedge issue to divide voters. 4 Project LPAC has noted that an openly LGBT woman has never served on the U.S. Supreme Court or in the President’s Cabinet. 5 Project LPAC noted as of 2024, only four openly LBGT women serve in U.S. Congress, which is less than one percent and lower than their proportion in the general population. 6
Research
Project LPAC’s first published research in 2019 found that LGBT women were more likely to vote, donate time, and give money than LGBT men; prioritized healthcare, LGBT issues, and the environment as top issues when voting; and became more politically active after the election of then-President Donald Trump. 7
In 2020, Project LPAC presented three studies on the 2020 female electorate, differences between LGBT women and straight women, and why LGBT women can have an impact on elections. 8 Project LPAC found in June, 19% of LGBT voters were non-registered, 55% were registered voters committed to supporting former Vice President Joe Biden, and 14% of non-committed registered voters were LGBT. 9 Of the LGBT population, 81% of people were registered to vote with 60% saying they would vote for Biden. 10 Project LPAC found that among LGBT women, 63% identify as Democrats, 20% as Republicans, and 17% as independents. 11
In 2021, Project LPAC conducted research on public messaging and transgender issues. 12 Project LPAC recommended that LGBT interest groups should focus messaging around transgender issues on shared values of freedom, community, respect, trust, and opportunity instead of policies. 13
In the survey, 60 percent of voters held the view that gender is the biological sex assigned at birth. 14 The poll found support for protecting transgender people against discrimination in housing, employment, and health care. Poll takers were split when asked if health care providers should be allowed to refuse treatment based on religious beliefs. A majority of poll takers supported requiring athletes to participate in teams based on their natal sex; they also supported requiring transgender youth to use the locker room of their natural sex. 15
After the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Project LPAC conducted a study finding that many LGBT women were concerned that abortion would be completely banned, same-sex marriage would be banned, same-sex intimacy would be criminalized, and nondiscrimination policies for LGBT people in housing, employment, and public accommodations would be eliminated. 16
In 2023, Project LPAC’s research focused on the priorities and attitudes of Gen-Z and Millennials who are expected to be the largest voting bloc in 2028. 17 Of LGBT individuals in this age range, the top issues were gun violence, inflation, abortion, LGBT equality, racism, the environment, and healthcare. 18 Research found that younger LGBT women are committed to left-wing change but unmotivated to vote. 19
Funding
Project LPAC is a fiscally sponsored project of the Social Good Fund. 20 Since 2021, Project LPAC received at least $75,000 from the Tawani Foundation, a private foundation run by transgender billionaire Jennifer Pritzker. 21 Project LPAC has received funding from the Horizons Foundation. 22
References
- “LPAC Announces Departure of Lisa Turner as Executive Director.” LPAC. March 7, 2024. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.teamlpac.com/the-latest/lpac-announces-departure-of-lisa-turner-as-executive-director; “Our Work.” LPAC. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.teamlpac.com/our-work; “Intrepid Woman: Stephanie Sandberg, Executive Director, Team LPAC.” The Glass Hammer. June 10, 2019. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://theglasshammer.com/2019/06/intrepid-woman-stephanie-sandberg-executive-director-team-lpac/; “Project LPAC’s Lisa Turner Featured by Edge Media Network – America’s Progressive Engine: LGBTQ Women.” Project LPAC. October 8, 2020. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.projectlpac.org/project-lpac-s-lisa-turner-featured-by-edge-media-network-america-s-progressive-engine-lgbtq-women.
- “LPAC Announces Departure of Lisa Turner as Executive Director.” LPAC. March 7, 2024. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.teamlpac.com/the-latest/lpac-announces-departure-of-lisa-turner-as-executive-director; “Our Work.” LPAC. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.teamlpac.com/our-work; “Intrepid Woman: Stephanie Sandberg, Executive Director, Team LPAC.” The Glass Hammer. June 10, 2019. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://theglasshammer.com/2019/06/intrepid-woman-stephanie-sandberg-executive-director-team-lpac/; “Project LPAC’s Lisa Turner Featured by Edge Media Network – America’s Progressive Engine: LGBTQ Women.” Project LPAC. October 8, 2020. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.projectlpac.org/project-lpac-s-lisa-turner-featured-by-edge-media-network-america-s-progressive-engine-lgbtq-women.
- “Our Work.” Project LPAC. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.projectlpac.org; “2019 Levity & Justice For All.” Project LPAC. 2019. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://e.givesmart.com/events/czU/.
- “Voter Attitudes Towards Transgender Rights and Legislation.” Project LPAC. 2021. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.projectlpac.org/2021-research.
- “Why Project LPAC.” Project LPAC. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.projectlpac.org.
- “Why Project LPAC.” Project LPAC. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.projectlpac.org.
- “Engaging LGBTQ Women Politically: Opportunities for 2020.” Project LPAC. 2019. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.projectlpac.org/2019-research.
- “LGBTQ Women in Democracy: The Report.” Project LPAC. 2020. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.projectlpac.org/about.
- “The LGBTQ Women’s Electorate: 2020 Webinar.” Project LGBTQ. 2020. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/3910284d/files/uploaded/July%20Webinar%20External%20Slides1.pdf.
- “Key Differences Between LGBTQ Women and Straight Women Ahead of the 2020 Election.” Project LPAC. 2020. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/3910284d/files/uploaded/August%20Webinar%20External%20Slides.pdf.
- “Key Differences Between LGBTQ Women and Straight Women Ahead of the 2020 Election.” Project LPAC. 2020. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/3910284d/files/uploaded/August%20Webinar%20External%20Slides.pdf.
- “Voter Attitudes Towards Transgender Rights and Legislation.” Project LPAC. 2021. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.projectlpac.org/2021-research.
- “Voter Attitudes Towards Transgender Rights and Legislation.” Project LPAC. 2021. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.projectlpac.org/2021-research; “Voter Attitudes Towards Transgender Rights and Legislation.” Project LPAC. September and October 2021. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://irp.cdn-website.com/3910284d/files/uploaded/LPAC%20LRP%202021%20Research%20Briefing.pdf.
- “Voter Attitudes Towards Transgender Rights and Legislation.” Project LPAC. September and October 2021. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://irp.cdn-website.com/3910284d/files/uploaded/LPAC%20LRP%202021%20Research%20Briefing.pdf.
- “Voter Attitudes Towards Transgender Rights and Legislation.” Project LPAC. September and October 2021. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://irp.cdn-website.com/3910284d/files/uploaded/LPAC%20LRP%202021%20Research%20Briefing.pdf.
- “LGBTQ Women as Voters After Roe and Ahead of 2022 Midterm Elections.” Project LPAC. 2022. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.projectlpac.org/2022-research.
- “Gen Z and Millennial LGBTQ Women in Democracy.” Project LPAC. 2023. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.projectlpac.org/2023-research.
- “Gen Z and Millennial LGBTQ Women in Democracy.” Project LPAC. 2023. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.projectlpac.org/2023-research.
- “Gen Z and Millennial LGBTQ Women in Democracy.” Project LPAC. 2023. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.projectlpac.org/2023-research.
- “Project LPAC.” Project LPAC. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/NjY0MDk=.
- [1] “Grant History.” Tawani Foundation. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://tawanifoundation.org/our-grants/; “Our Impact.” Tawani Foundation. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://tawanifoundation.org; “Jennifer Pritzker.” Forbes. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.forbes.com/profile/jennifer-pritzker/?sh=5ef2d9665808.
- Horizons Foundation, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2019.