Bio
Pony Knowles’ (he/they) current role is the Director, National Campaigns, Trans Justice at the ACLU National Political Advocacy Division, working with a team that fights for LGBTQ and trans rights at the federal level, including access to gender affirming care, employment and housing, sex work decriminalization, and full inclusion in communities. Prior to working at the ACLU, Pony was the US Campaigns Director at Change.org, responsible for expanding media coverage, helping develop product innovations for better civic engagement opportunities, and most importantly identifying and developing campaign opportunities across a full slate of issue areas. Notable campaign victories include bringing Brittney Griner home, protecting gender affirming care in states like Kansas, and clemency for Julius Jones and Rodney Reed.
Previous to his work at Change.org, Pony led the National Engagement team at SAGE, leading innovative initiatives to connect LGBTQ elders to larger communities of care and policies that protect and affirm them as they age. Other past experience includes leading student engagement for Empty the Shelters and Poor Peoples’ Human Rights Campaign, and teaching French literature and history — with a particular focus on the stories we tell each other about revolution and social change — at a number of universities in the US and abroad.