GATE’s Membership Structure
In 2024, during the closing of the Global Trans Conference GATE announced the creation of a membership structure.
GATE’s membership structure is a global, interconnected network that supports and empowers trans and gender diverse communities. Becoming a member of GATE offers valuable opportunities, resources, and connections to support and amplify your work. We aim to foster a community of organizations united by a shared vision. By creating a dynamic platform where knowledge, experiences, and resources are exchanged freely, we are enriching the global trans and gender diverse movement.
By joining as a member, you become part of a powerful, collective movement pushing for systemic change for trans and gender diverse rights worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why a membership structure?
- Why join our membership structure?
- Are there membership structure fees?
- What are we asking from members?
- What does GATE offer?
- Who can join?
- How does GATE benefit?
- What are GATE’s regional classifications?
- Can unregistered organizations apply?
- What is the membership structure selection process?
- How to apply?
Why a membership structure?
GATE’s membership structure is central to the organization’s vision of building a global, interconnected network that actively supports and empowers trans and gender diverse communities. It will strengthen bilateral relationships between GATE and trans- and gender diverse-led organizations and foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among members and within the movement. Our ultimate goal remains unchanged: to shape a world that respects and upholds the rights and well-being of trans and gender diverse individuals.
Why join our membership structure?
While GATE stands to gain significantly from the membership structure, it is based on mutual benefit to our members and the trans and gender diverse movement. Becoming a member of GATE offers you valuable opportunities, resources, and connections. The benefits we offer are designed to support and amplify your work. More importantly, by joining GATE, you become part of a powerful, collective movement pushing for systemic change for trans and gender diverse rights worldwide. Together, we can achieve far more than we could individually, and your involvement is critical to making this vision a reality.
The main benefits to organizations joining GATE’s membership structure are:
- Access to exclusive resources developed specifically for members;
- Access to an extensive network of trans and gender diverse organizations to enhance collaboration and learning opportunities;
- Participation in processes that shape GATE’s overall strategy;
- Opportunities for capacity building and professional development through workshops, training courses and one-to-one mentorship;
- Support in amplifying advocacy efforts and organizational work through GATE’s communication channels;
- Apply for only-members grant opportunities offered by GATE (dependent on funding availability).
Are there membership structure fees?
There are no membership structure fees. This means that organizations will never be charged any fees for being a GATE member.
What are we asking from members?
By joining GATE’s membership structure, we ask our members to uphold the following commitments. These measures are intended to ensure that members uphold their critical role in amplifying the voices of trans and gender diverse communities globally.
Member’s responsibilities include:
- To uphold GATE’s vision and mission;
- To engage regularly with GATE’s initiatives, including but not limited to campaigns, research, consultations and events;
- To share resources, knowledge and best practices with fellow members to strengthen cross-regional partnerships, learning and advocacy;
- To adhere to ethical standards of transparency and accountability in their work.
What does GATE offer?
GATE commits to supporting and amplifying the work of its members while fostering a global movement for trans and gender diverse rights. Our aim is to ensure the success of our members and the wider movement through collaboration and sustainability.
GATE’s commitments are:
- To elevate the voices of our members and trans and gender diverse communities globally;
- To ensure representation of trans and gender diverse voices in decision-making processes and global strategic plans;
- To lead global advocacy efforts and shape policies supporting trans and gender diverse rights;
- To facilitate collaboration between members and across the global trans movement;
- To provide financial and non-financial support to empower trans- and gender diverse-led organizations to strengthen the global trans movement.
Who can join?
GATE’s membership structure is open to organizations, groups and networks that meet the criteria outlined below. Please note that the membership structure is not open to individuals.
Members must:
- Demonstrate a clear commitment to supporting and advancing the rights and well-being of trans and gender diverse individuals;
- Be actively involved in work or advocacy that directly benefits trans and gender diverse communities;
- Demonstrate substantial (at least 70%) trans and gender diverse leadership within its staff, members, active volunteers, board, spokespeople and any other decision-making personnel;
- Have a proven track record of trans and gender diverse advocacy and support, whether they are a legally registered entity or a non-registered group/network;
- Uphold a commitment to non-discrimination, with a particular focus on protecting trans and gender diverse individuals.
How does GATE benefit?
A unified membership structure provides a powerful and legitimate global voice, enabling us to represent our communities effectively and advocate for their priorities. This cohesion amplifies our influence before policy bodies and in decision-making instances. By implementing a membership structure, more funding opportunities might be available for GATE to apply for. Where possible, this will be passed on to our members through subgrants.
The main benefits for GATE are:
- Access to invaluable information from our members that will strengthen our work;
- Increased legitimacy, credibility and impact as a global voice for trans and gender diverse organizing.
What are GATE’s regional classifications?
If you apply to become a GATE member, your organization will be classified under one of GATE’s six regions. These regional classifications enables us to provide targeted support to our members based on specific regional needs, as well as allowing members to develop cross-regional connections to build a global trans and gender diverse-led organizational network.
Can unregistered organizations apply?
We understand that barriers exist that can prevent organizations from obtaining registered status in their country, or that registering might not be a goal for your organization. Unregistered organizations, groups, or networks are eligible to apply for GATE’s membership structure. As you apply, we will simply ask you to provide evidence that your organization adheres to all other application requirements. See Who can join? for more information.
What is the membership structure selection process?
The application process involves several steps:
- Step 1. Acknowledgment: All applications will receive an automated email acknowledging their submission, and outlining the tentative review timeline.
- Step 2. Administrative review: All applications will undergo an initial administrative review to ensure that information is complete and all required documents have been provided. If there is information missing, applicants will be contacted to provide this before proceeding to the next step. Please note that incomplete applications can significantly delay the process.
- Step 3. Membership Structure Committee review: All applications will be reviewed by the Membership Structure Committee, comprised of GATE Board and staff members. This process will assess whether applicants meet the requirements outlined in the GATE Membership Structure Policy.
- Step 4. Decision notification: All applicants will be notified within 10 weeks of the application deadline whether they have been successful. Successful applicants will receive access to the membership structure app along with essential onboarding materials to help them get started.
How to apply?
Organizations, groups and networks that want to apply for membership structure should complete the application form. Please note that the membership structure is not open to individuals.