LGBTQ Rights Researcher

LGBTQ Rights Researcher, Religion and Sexuality Project

Political Research Associates (www.politicalresearch.org) is a social justice think tank that tracks and analyzes right-wing groups and campaigns. Our strategic, timely work is used by organizers and advocates, journalists, academics, and policy makers to inform their work and advance social justice. PRA's work makes critical contributions to allies working on such issues as immigrant and racial justice, LGBTQ rights, reproductive justice, economic justice, and civil liberties. We collaborate with visionary social justice leaders, and publicly confront our collective opponents with hard-hitting investigations and communications campaigns.

PRA produces a quarterly magazine, The Public Eye, and investigative reports on topics including the U.S. Christian Right exporting antigay ideology to Africa, the campaign to undermine marriage equality and healthcare reform by redefining "religious liberty," and defending reproductive justice against right-wing assaults.

We are seeking a researcher who will investigate and analyze U.S.-based conservative religious interests that are actively campaigning against LGBTQ people and women's reproductive autonomy abroad. This research will support a range of advocacy allies seeking to hold such groups accountable for their actions. The ideal candidate will bring strong opposition research experience coupled with an understanding of how to put research into action. The LGBTQ Rights Researcher reports to the research director and works closely with research and communications staff and interns.

The LGBTQ Rights Researcher's key responsibilities include:

· Researching and becoming our in-house expert on leading U.S. exporters of religiously-based homophobia and reactionary reproductive health policy;

· Regular writing, including

· analyses, profiles, and activity updates of these anti-LGBTQ and antichoice entitites for publication, as well as educational materials tailored to various audiences and social justice constituencies;

· Contributing to our blog and web resources;

· Coordinating and participating as a core member of PRA's LGBT rights strategy team;

· Making recommendations for challenging these right-wing actors and supporting ally campaigns;

· Assisting organizing and advocacy partners with written and oral briefings, action research, and communications support;

· Logistical support for ally meetings and outreach efforts;

· Supporting the work of PRA's Religion and Sexuality Researcher, and supervising interns;

Qualifications: Experience researching and analyzing right-wing groups and movements; excellent research, writing, and analytical skills; familiarity with community organizing and communications campaigns and ability to bring a "campaign perspective" to a research project; familiarity with the LGBTQ organizing and advocacy field and the broader social justice landscape, including reproductive justice, faith, anti-bigotry, etc.; passion for social justice; awareness of Global North/South power dynamics and commitment to principled solidarity with international allies; ability to work both independently and part of a team; supervisory experience; excellent time management and attention to deadlines; ability to work in a multicultural environment; availability for frequent travel; a good sense of humor; experience as a journalist or at a research institution preferred; familiarity with WordPress, driver's license, and multi-lingual abilities a plus.

This is a full-time salaried position with hours worked in PRA's Somerville, Massachusetts office. Salary is commensurate with experience and includes full health and dental benefits, vacation, and retirement contribution.