Title: Laurie Eiserloh LGBTQ+ Caucus Fellowship

Organization: Equality Texas

Location: Texas State Capitol, Austin, TX

Hours and Compensation: 15 hours/week, $6,000 (half paid at start of fellowship and half paid on completion)
Candidates must live in the state of Texas and be able to attend in person at the state Capitol.

THE FELLOWSHIP:
The Laurie Eiserloh Equality Texas Fellowship aims to increase the capacity of the Texas House LGBTQ+ Caucus and provide additional support for pro-equality legislation within the Texas Capitol.
This fellowship honors Laurie Eiserloh, the first female lobbyist for the Lesbian Gay Rights Lobby of Texas (which became Equality Texas) and one of the first Executive Directors of Equality Texas. This fellowship celebrates her commitment to LGBTQ+ equality for all Texans.

Responsibilities:

Assist LGBTQ+ Caucus with Legislative Strategy:
Support the Caucus in harnessing collective power to defend LGBTQIA+ Texans' rights;
Help organize educational programming for legislators on LGBTQIA+ issues;
Assist in coordinating efforts to combat bills targeting LGBTQIA+ Texans.
Legislative Tracking and Research Analysis:
Monitor and track LGBTQIA+ related bills throughout the legislative process;
Prepare research on LGBTQIA+ priority issues and filed legislation;
Prepare briefing materials and talking points for Caucus members.
Attend committee hearings and provide summaries;
Assist with scheduling and coordinating Caucus meetings;
Manage and organize Caucus files and documents.

Qualifications:

Strong interest in LGBTQIA+ rights and Texas politics.
Excellent research, writing, and communication skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced legislative environment.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Familiarity with the Texas legislative process preferred.
Must be based in Austin, TX.

Duration: This is a short-term position from January 12, 2027 – May 31, 2027 during the 90th Texas Legislative Session.

This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of LGBTQIA+ advocacy and Texas politics by supporting the Texas House LGBTQ+ Caucus in their mission to achieve social justice and equity for all Texans.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
Equality Texas envisions a Texas where all LGBTQ+ people and their families have full equality in the hearts and minds of their fellow Texans and in all areas of the law. Headquartered in Austin, Equality Texas is dedicated to securing full legal and lived equality for LGBTQ+ Texans through political action, education, community organizing, and collaboration. With tens of thousands of members across the state, Equality Texas is the state’s leading state-wide organizing and advocacy organization for LGBTQ+ Texans.

Equality Texas is comprised of two nonprofit organizations:

Equality Texas Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides educational programming on LGBTQ+ issues and conducts campaigns to build public support for equal rights, and

Equality Texas Action, a 501(c)4 organization that conducts direct lobbying and advocacy efforts to advance pro-LGBTQ+ legislation and candidates and to defeat anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.

Each organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, who represent a cross-section of LGBTQ community, business, and philanthropic leaders and allies.

Equality Texas encourages people of all identities to apply. No applicant will be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please submit your resume and cover letter detailing how your experience prepares you to assume the responsibilities and expectations of the Laurie Eiserloh Fellowship role by December 11, 2026. Interviews will be held in early January.