Building Coalitions: LGBTQ+ Students Working Across Movements

Change happens faster when we work together. For LGBTQ+ students seeking to make lasting change on campus, building coalitions with other movements isn’t just strategic—it’s essential.

This guide explores how to build alliances, work across differences, and create collective power that transforms campuses and communities.

Why Coalitions Matter

The Power of Numbers

Single-issue movements can accomplish great things. Coalition movements change the world.

Coalitions amplify:

Shared resources and expertise
Larger mobilizations and visible actions
Diverse perspectives strengthen analysis
Cross-movement solidarity builds lasting networks

Historical examples:

Civil rights movement connected with women’s rights
LGBTQ+ rights built on and contributed to other movements
Climate justice connects environmental and social justice
Disability rights influenced accessibility in all movements

Intersectionality in Action

Our identities are multiple and intersecting. So is oppression—and so is liberation.

Understanding intersection:

LGBTQ+ people also experience racism, ableism, classism, and more
Race, disability, gender, and sexuality all shape experience
No movement is truly single-issue
Coalition work reflects the complexity of real lives

Practical benefits:

Reaching people through multiple communities
Building deeper understanding across differences
Creating more resilient and adaptable movements
Preventing burnout through shared responsibility

Finding Potential Allies

Campus Movements to Connect With

Racial Justice:

Black Student Unions
Latinx Student Associations
Asian American/Pacific Islander organizations
Multiracial affinity groups

Immigration Rights:

Dreamer/Undocumented student groups
Immigration advocacy organizations
International student associations

Disability Rights:

Disability student organizations
Neurodiversity groups
Accessibility advocacy

Women’s Rights:

Women’s student associations
Feminist organizations
Reproductive justice groups

Economic Justice:

Labor unions and organizing
Economic justice advocates
Financial aid activists

Environmental Justice:

Environmental organizations
Climate action groups
Sustainability initiatives

Religious and Spiritual:

Interfaith organizations
Progressive religious groups
Spiritual communities

Beyond Identity Groups

Academic departments:

Gender and Sexuality Studies
Ethnic Studies
Disability Studies
Social justice programs

Campus offices:

Diversity and inclusion offices
International student services
Counseling and health services
Residence life

Community organizations:

Local LGBTQ+ community centers
Racial justice organizations
Immigrant rights groups
Social service agencies

Principles of Coalition Building

Grounding in Shared Values

Coalitions work best when built on shared principles:

Common ground for LGBTQ+ coalitions:

Human dignity and worth
Freedom from discrimination
Safety and security for all students
Access to education and opportunity
Community and belonging

Finding shared language:

Listen for common concerns
Build vocabulary that multiple groups can use
Acknowledge differences while emphasizing shared goals

Respecting Different Histories

Every movement has its own history, leaders, and culture:

Do your homework:

Learn about other movements’ histories
Understand key debates and tensions
Respect organizational cultures

Avoid common pitfalls:

Don’t assume similarity
Don’t minimize others’ struggles
Don’t co-opt or overshadow
Don’t expect others to prioritize your issues

Mutuality and Reciprocity

Coalitions work when everyone benefits:

Reciprocal engagement:

Support others’ issues even when they don’t directly affect you
Share resources and connections
Credit allies publicly and privately
Show up consistently

Building trust over time:

Start with small collaborations
Follow through on commitments
Be honest about limitations
Celebrate others’ wins

Practical Steps to Build Coalitions

Start with Relationship

Before formal structures, build personal connections:

Individual outreach:

Meet people one-on-one over coffee
Learn about their work and perspectives
Share your own story and goals
Find genuine common ground

Relationship-building tips:

Be curious, not transactional
Listen more than you talk
Find personal connections beyond politics
Follow up and stay connected

Create Low-Stakes Opportunities

Start collaborations that feel safe:

Joint events:

Co-sponsor speakers or panels
Host social gatherings together
Collaborate on educational programming
Share resources and networks

Casual connection:

Study breaks with multiple groups
Community service projects
Cultural celebrations
Informal meals or hangouts

Formalize the Connection

As relationships grow, consider structures:

Memoranda of Understanding:

Document shared goals
Clarify roles and responsibilities
Establish communication norms
Plan for sustainability

Coalition structures:

Regular coordination meetings
Shared communication channels
Designated liaisons
Decision-making processes

Navigating Tensions

Disagreements Are Normal

Coalitions will face conflicts. That’s okay:

Common tensions:

Different timelines and priorities
Competition for resources or attention
Disagreements about strategy
Historical grievances between movements

Healthy conflict resolution:

Address tensions directly but respectfully
Seek to understand underlying concerns
Find compromises that serve common goals
Know when to agree to disagree

When to Step Back

Sometimes coalitions don’t work:

Signs a coalition isn’t working:

One group consistently dominates
Your organization’s needs are consistently unmet
Power dynamics feel extractive
Commitments aren’t honored

What to do:

Have honest conversations first
Try restructuring before dissolving
Know when to prioritize your community
Leave gracefully when necessary

Handling Different Risk Tolerances

Some groups can take more risks than others:

Considerations:

Students with more privilege can often take more public risks
Documented or marginalized students may face different consequences
Be aware of who bears what costs
Don’t ask others to take risks you won’t take

Building trust across differences:

Be transparent about risks
Support those who face consequences
Share resources and protection

Case Studies: Successful Coalitions

Marriage Equality Coalition

The successful fight for marriage equality involved:

LGBTQ+ organizations as core
Faith groups providing moral authority
Legal organizations offering expertise
Business communities providing economic arguments
Diverse communities demonstrating broad support

Lessons learned:

Big tents work
Multiple arguments reach multiple audiences
Coalition partners bring different strengths
Sustained effort over years produces results

Campus Divestment Movements

Coalitions on college campuses have achieved wins by:

Connecting divestment to broader justice
Building across student populations
Engaging alumni and faculty
Using institutional pressure effectively

Lessons for LGBTQ+ advocacy:

Connect issues to shared values
Build across student demographics
Engage diverse stakeholders
Use institutional leverage

Action Planning

Getting Started on Your Campus

First steps:

Identify potential coalition partners
Reach out for one-on-one meetings
Find small collaboration opportunities
Build relationships before asking for big things

Scaling up:

Identify shared goals and quick wins
Create informal working groups
Plan joint actions or campaigns
Document and celebrate wins

Sustaining Coalitions

Long-term success:

Regular communication and check-ins
Rotate leadership and responsibility
Adapt to changing circumstances
Celebrate milestones together

Common challenges:

Leadership transitions
Competing priorities
Burnout and fatigue
Shifting campus climates

Resources for Learning More

Books and Reading

“Solidarity Politics” by Janelle Adsit
“Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing” edited by Naomi extra
Academic journals on social movements

Organizations to Know

Movement for Black Lives
Center for Popular Democracy
United We Dream
National Center for Transgender Equality
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund

Campus Resources

Student government
Organization for social justice
Political science departments
Community organizing programs

Moving Forward Together

Building coalitions isn’t just about winning specific battles—it’s about creating the world we want to live in:

A world where:

All students belong
No one is discriminated against
Our communities support each other
Collective action creates change

The work is ongoing:

Relationships take time to build
Movements grow and evolve
Change happens gradually and suddenly
Your participation matters

Your Role in Coalition Work

As an LGBTQ+ student advocate:

You bring:

Your unique perspective and experience
The history and resources of LGBTQ+ movements
Passion and commitment
Energy and hope for change

You gain:

Strength in numbers
Broader support and solidarity
Deeper understanding of justice work
Skills and relationships for life

You contribute to:

A more just campus
Stronger movements
A better world
Your own growth and development

Coalition building is both a strategy and a value. It reflects the world we want to create—one where diverse communities work together, learn from each other, and create change that benefits everyone.

Start small. Build relationships. Stay committed. The coalition is waiting for you.