news & opinion
Opinion
Jorge and Will: Tragedy and Hope
NCLR's blog: Out for Justice
11.18.09—This week two stories collided: The story of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado and the story of Will Phillips. According to the LGBT blog Towleroad, on November 14 the decapitated, dismembered, and burned body of Jorge Steven Lopez was found by the side of the road in Cayey, Puerto Rico. Jorge was 19 and openly gay. He was much loved by his wide circle of friends. He was handsome and hopeful. He had his whole life ahead of him.
Press Release
Groundbreaking Report Examines LGBT Youth
in Juvenile Courts
Hidden Injustice recommends extensive policy changes
to protect youth
11.12.09—Today, the Equity Project, a collaboration of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), Legal Services for Children (LSC), and the National Juvenile Defender Center (NJDC), announced the release of Hidden Injustice: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth in Juvenile Courts. This groundbreaking new report, based on extensive surveys and interviews of juvenile justice professionals and youth, provides the first comprehensive examination of the treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth in juvenile courts nationwide.
learn more about the Equity Project and Hidden Injustice
Opinion
And Now, Two Steps Forward
NCLR's blog: Out for Justice
11.05.09—
Even as we took the sucker punch of losing marriage equality in Maine by popular vote, we saw history made and in the making in Kalamazoo, Michigan and—hopefully—Washington State. In Kalamazoo voters strongly backed an ordinance which protects lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodation. In Washington state, which votes by mail, it now appears very clear that the comprehensive Domestic Partner law passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor will now become law. Our opponents had placed on the ballot a measure to repeal the law. Voters, by a too-close-for-comfort margin, seem to have voted to approve the legislation.
Press Release
Senate Committee Considers Federal Legislation for Workplace Protections
NCLR: The Employment Non-Discrimination Act Necessary and Overdue for Workers
10.28.09—The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) commends the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions for convening hearings today on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009 (ENDA), S.1584. This essential legislation would provide clear federal protection against workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. A similar hearing was held in the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor on September 23, and a full vote is possible before the end of the year.
case updates and program highlights
Legislative Highlight
ENDA
The Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA) is a bill to create a federal law which would prohibit discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation or gender identity, defined to include gender expression. It would provide critically-needed protection for people at serious risk of job discrimination. After years of hard work and thousands of conversations with law and policymakers, we are poised to pass an ENDA inclusive of gender identity in this Congress. In order to achieve that, senators and representatives must hear from their constituents that this bill is a high priority for the LGBT community. President Obama has identified passing this bill, inclusive of both sexual orientation and gender identity, as one of his civil rights agenda priorities.
read more and find out how you can get involved here
watch the Senate Committe on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing on ENDA
Legislative Highlight
SB 54
SB 54, a bill authored by Senator Mark Leno and signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger on October 11, 2009, clarifies the rights of same-sex couples who marry outside of California.
Victory! (Florida)
L.E. v. K.R.
L.E. and K.R. had two children together. Each was the biological mother of one child, and each adopted her non-biological child through a second-parent adoption in Washington State, where they lived. The couple moved to Florida, and their relationship ended several years later. They entered into an agreement and successfully shared equal custody and visitation with both children until K.R. broke the agreement.
Program Highlight
Elder Law Project
Planning with Purpose: Legal Basics for LGBT Elders
NCLR's new and groundbreaking guide provides basic information about areas of the law that are important to LGBT elders, especially individuals and couples who are age 55 and over, based on our advocacy experience. Written for LGBT elders and their families and caregivers, it includes information about issues related to relationship recognition, finances, health care, long term care, planning for the care of minor or disabled children, inheritance, elder abuse, and discrimination.
Victory! (California)
California Education Committee, LLC, et al. v. Jack O’Connell et al.
In November 2007, anti-LGBT organizations filed a lawsuit in federal court, challenging California’s safe schools laws that, among other things, protect students from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. NCLR clients Equality California and the Gay-Straight Alliance Network got involved in the case in order to defend and protect the anti-discrimination laws.
Over the past 30 years the National Center for Lesbian Rights has been at the forefront of nearly every legal gain won for LGBT people and families.
Each issue listed here provides a wealth of information regarding:
- cases we've been involved in
- news & opinion
- publications and downloads
Do you have legal questions related to your sexual orientation or gender identity?
The information on our website is here to help you. If you don’t find the answers to your questions on our website, NCLR's online help form can help you find the answers.
