NCLR’s work for full, fair, and equal legal recognition of our relationships gets to the heart of what we do. Whether it is a committed parent unable to seek joint custody of a child, a surviving partner unable to inherit or to make funeral arrangements, or one partner prohibited from making a pivotal medical decision on the other’s behalf, LGBT partners continue to be denied basic rights and protections most Americans take for granted. NCLR is working across the country to defend and establish these basic protections for our families both by working for full marriage equality and by demanding dignity and fairness for domestic partners and other unmarried couples.
The law should recognize and protect existing family bonds for all types of families, regardless of the gender or sexual orientation of the partners. For more than thirty years, NCLR has been at the forefront of efforts to protect our relationships and to help LGBT people gain the information and resources they need to protect their legal rights. \With each election, the legal status of our relationships shifts. NCLR is hard at work addressing the ever-evolving legal challenges our families and relationships face, creating innovative legal protections whenever and however possible. And through our Family Protection Project, we’re working to make sure that everyone has access to these protections, regardless of economic status.
news & opinion
Press Release
The National Center for Lesbian Rights Applauds AAA South for Providing Equal Services to Same-Sex Couples
Business pledges family memberships to married same-sex couples after meeting with Equality Florida
07.23.09—Yesterday, famed auto club AAA South, the fourth largest AAA affiliate in the country, committed to recognizing all spouses, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, in company policies and services. The policy now allows married same-sex couples to receive spousal discounts under AAA’s Associate Membership program. The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) applauds AAA South for treating LGBT members equally and hails the advocacy work of Equality Florida, which brought the issue to the attention of AAA South.
Press Release
Fresno Hospital Bars Lesbian From Visiting Partner And Giving Advice About Her Treatment
ACLU and NCLR Urge Hospital To Adopt Policies Respecting Same-Sex Relationships
06.15.09—After a lesbian was barred from visiting her partner and giving advice about her treatment at a Fresno hospital, the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Center for Lesbian Rights sent a letter to the hospital today urging that it adopt policy changes respecting same-sex relationships.
Press Release
California Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Property Tax Protections for Domestic Partners
Today’s Ruling Permits Court of Appeal Decision Affirming Board of Equalization Rule to Stand
01.03.08 — Today, in a major victory for same-sex couples, the California Supreme Court denied a petition by county assessors seeking review of a California Court of Appeal decision affirming the validity of basic property tax protections for domestic partners.
from the docket
Pending (Colorado)
Demers v. Zupancic
Marilynn Zupancic and her former partner Dianne were together for 30 years and planned on spending the rest of their lives together. Although they could not legally marry in their home state of Colorado, Marilynn and Dianne were partners in every respect. Marilynn, a teacher, supported Dianne while she was in graduate school, and they took out a mortgage on their jointly-owned home so that Dianne could pay off her school loans. In 2007, their relationship ended.
Victory! (California)
Burrows v. ILWU
Marvin Burrows and his partner William Swenor were together for 51 years. Burrows and Swenor did everything within their power to demonstrate their commitment to each other and to provide for the surviving partner in the event of one partner's death, including registering as domestic partners. Swenor worked as a warehouse crew leader for more than 35 years. Throughout Swenor's employment, he was a member of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and contributed to their pension plan.
Victory! (Colombia)
Colombia Diversa, Expediente No. D-6362, Corte Constitucional de Colombia
A group of Colombian human rights and LGBT organizations challenged their country’s marriage laws that excluded same-sex couples under the Colombia Constitution’s equal protection provision. NCLR filed an amicus brief along with the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission, Center for Health, Science and Public Policy at Brooklyn Law School, and the Center for the Study of Law & Culture at Columbia Law School. The Colombia Constitutional Court ruled on January 28, 2009 that same-sex couples must be granted the same legal rights and responsibilities as different-sex couples in common-law marriages.
publications & downloads
Documents to protect you and your family.
The California Domestic Partnership Law (AB 205): What it Means for You and Your Family (pdf)
This publication is a comprehensive guide to California's domestic partnership law, AB 205.
The California Insurance Equality Act (pdf)
How to use AB 2208 and what it means for you and your family.
Marriage, Domestic Partnerships, and Civil Unions (pdf)
An Overview of Relationship Recognition for Same-Sex Couples in the United States