Movement Advancement Project

Movement Advancement Project
Name	Movement Advancement Project
Type	Nonprofit
Founded	2006
Headquarters	Denver, Colorado
Area served	United States
Focus	LGBT rights, civil rights, public policy research
Methods	Research, analysis, advocacy, training

Movement Advancement Project

The Movement Advancement Project is a U.S.-based nonprofit research and policy organization focusing on sexual orientation and gender identity issues, civil rights law, and public policy analysis. Founded in 2006, the organization engages with advocacy groups, legislators, courts, and foundations to inform strategic decisions related to equality and legal protections across states. Its work intersects with major national debates involving the United States Congress, the Supreme Court of the United States, the U.S. Department of Justice, and prominent civil society institutions.

History

The organization originated in the context of early 21st-century legal battles such as Lawrence v. Texas, the debates surrounding Defense of Marriage Act litigation, and the aftermath of state-level initiatives including California Proposition 8 and statewide marriage referendums. Early collaborations involved organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, and GLAAD while monitoring litigation in circuits such as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Over time, MAP tracked developments tied to landmark decisions including United States v. Windsor and Obergefell v. Hodges, and engaged with policy shifts under administrations such as the Barack Obama and Donald Trump presidencies. The group's evolution also paralleled movements within state capitals such as Montgomery, Alabama, Austin, Texas, and Sacramento, California, as well as municipal initiatives in cities like New York City and Chicago.

Mission and Activities

MAP's stated mission emphasizes providing data-driven analysis to empower organizations including ACLU, The Trevor Project, and PFLAG National as they navigate litigation, legislative campaigns, and public education efforts. Activities include producing policy reports for stakeholders such as state legislatures like the California State Legislature, federal agencies like the Federal Communications Commission, and philanthropic entities including the Ford Foundation and Open Society Foundations. MAP engages with coalition partners, strategic advisors from institutions like Columbia University and Harvard University, and participates in convenings alongside groups such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.

Research and Publications

MAP publishes comparative datasets, maps, and legal analyses used by think tanks, law firms, and advocacy networks such as Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, Brookings Institution, and Center for American Progress. Its reports synthesize information from public records like state statutes in jurisdictions such as Florida, Texas, and Ohio, judicial opinions from courts including the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, and administrative rulemaking by agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Major publications have addressed topics raised in precedents such as Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins and regulatory actions akin to those from the Office for Civil Rights (HHS), and have been cited in briefs before tribunals including the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts.

Policy Impact and Advocacy

MAP's analyses inform campaigns on nondiscrimination ordinances in municipalities such as Philadelphia, ballot measures in states like Maine and Colorado (state), and legislative efforts in capitols including Boston and Salt Lake City. The organization provides evidence to allies appearing before committees such as the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary and supports amicus briefs filed with courts including the Ninth Circuit. MAP's work has intersected with administrative rule debates within departments like the Department of Education (United States) and influenced stakeholder discussions involving organizations such as National Center for Transgender Equality.

Organizational Structure and Funding

MAP operates with a leadership team, research staff, and board members drawn from advocacy and academic backgrounds, sometimes collaborating with figures associated with institutions like New York University School of Law and Georgetown University. Funding sources have included private foundations such as the Arcus Foundation and corporate donors occasionally linked to entities like Apple Inc. and Wells Fargo, as well as fiscal sponsorship and grants from family foundations connected to philanthropists similar to MacKenzie Scott and Eli Broad. The organization's filings and financial information have been reviewed by journalists at outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and ProPublica.

Criticism and Controversies

MAP has faced critique from conservative organizations including Family Research Council and Alliance Defending Freedom for its policy positions and research methods, and from some progressive activists connected to networks like Black Lives Matter and Movement for Black Lives over strategic disagreements. Debates have arisen in the context of legislative fights such as those concerning "religious liberty" statutes in states like Indiana (state) and administrative guidance from agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services. Academic commentators at institutions such as University of Chicago and Yale University have debated MAP's methodologies alongside think tanks like Heritage Foundation and Cato Institute.

Category:Civil rights organizations in the United States Category:LGBT rights organizations in the United States