Digital Navigator Program
We live in an increasingly digital world where many LGBTQIA+ individuals work, access vital services, and build communities through digital platforms. For these reasons, bridging the digital divide is more important now than ever.
Our new Digital Navigator Program aims to work to close this divide through advocacy and education focused around: 1) digital skills education, 2) cyber safety, 3) affordable internet access education and advocay, and 4) online empowerment for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Program History
LGBT Tech’s Digital Navigator Program was started in 2023 initially focused primarily on providing outreach and education to LGBTQ+ communities about the former FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). This program was the nation’s largest broadband benefit program to date, and before being unexpectedly winded down in 2024, ACP helped over 21 million households access affordable high-speed internet.
With the wind down of ACP funding in 2024, our Digital Navigator program quickly pivoted to focus on community conversations, surveys, and focus groups to identify areas of immediate needs related to LGBTQ+ digital equity that we could help address through this program.
Soon after we began the creation of educational resources and platforms focused on cyber safety and digital skills, all uniquely tailored specifically to the digital experiences of the LGBTQ+ community.
Mission Statement
The Digital Navigator Program empowers LGBTQ+ individuals with the digital skills they need to navigate the online world safely and confidently.
By supplementing the tech distribution work of our PowerOn Program with tools and resources for cyber safety and advocacy for affordable broadband, we ensure our community has the resources to stay connected, informed, and engaged in digital spaces. We are committed to ensuring LGBTQ+ communities are fully included in digital equity efforts across the nation.
Vision Statement
We envision a future where all LGBTQ+ individuals have the digital skills and access they need to participate fully in the online world, and develop agency to protect their data and privacy. Our goal is to ensure that LGBTQ+ communities are recognized in digital equity initiatives and have the confidence and security to navigate online spaces without fear of exclusion
Leadership & Empowerment
As the digital equity field continues to grow, LGBTQ+ professionals are taking on prominent roles as leaders, digital navigators, researchers, and advocates driving inclusive digital access. Through our Digital Navigator Program we are working to create a place where LGBTQ+ professionals can gather resources, build community, and advance LGBTQ+ leadership within the digital equity space.
Through our Digital Navigator Program, we are working on creating opportunities and resources for allys and advocates that are currently serving as leaders in the field of Digital Equity who are looking to foster more LGBTQ+ inclusivity within their programs and work.
Digital Skills Education
One critical component of empowering LGBTQ+ communities online, is ensuring that everyone is able to receive accessible, comprehensive digital skills training and resources to help navigate and thrive in an increasingly digital world. As part of our new Digital Navigator Program we will be launching new digital skills resources tailored to the LGBTQ+ community.
Online Digital
Skills Hub
This hub will serve as a centralized platform offering comprehensive digital skills and resources tailored to LGBTQ+ individuals.
LGBTQ+ Online Safety & Digital Skills Printed Resource Series
Free, accessible printed materials addressing digital literacy and safety
Digital Navigator Training
We want to train and empower individuals to serve as digital navigators within their own local LGBTQ+ communities, helping to bridge the digital divide all across the US.
Cyber Safety Guidebook for LGBTQ+ Centers
With the rise in online threats targeting LGBTQ+ organizations and centers and a concerning report revealing that 68% of nonprofits lack documented cybersecurity policies, we have created a first of it's kind guidebook addressing the critical need for comprehensive cyber safety and planning resources tailored specifically to LGBTQ+ community centers. This guidebook is a comprehensive, free resource that will be housed on our Digital Navigator website, as well as distributed in print to partner centers. This guidebook provides essential information for LGBTQ+ organizations and centers to assess and enhance their cyber safety policies, procedures, and plans.
The guidebook also contains practical tools and step-by-step guides designed to assist LGBTQ+ organizations and centers in developing and implementing effective cyber safety planning procedures and incident response strategies