The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education.
press releases
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.
Press Release
Senate Committee Considers Federal Legislation for Workplace Protections
NCLR: The Employment Non-Discrimination Act Necessary and Overdue for Workers
11.05.09—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.
Press Release
President Obama Signs Hate Crimes Bill
NCLR: “Marks the beginning of a new era
of LGBT civil rights"
10.28.09—Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) salutes President Barack Obama for signing the hate crimes bill, now known as the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The law gives the Justice Department the authority to fully investigate and prosecute bias-motivated crimes where the victim has been targeted because of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
read the joint statement of 30 LGBT organizations on the passage of hate crimes legislation
Press Release
National Center for Lesbian Rights Applauds Enactment of California Law to Clarify Rights of Same-Sex Couples Married Outside the State
10.27.09—The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) applauds the passage of California’s SB 54, a bill authored by Senator Mark Leno and signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on October 11, 2009. SB 54 clarifies the rights and responsibilities of same-sex couples who get married outside of California. NCLR worked closely with Equality California and Senator Leno’s office to support the measure throughout the legislative process, from helping to draft the bill’s language, to testifying at committee hearings, to meeting with the Governor’s staff to answer questions about the bill’s effect.
Press Release
Top Sports Leaders, Researchers, Medical & Legal Experts Address Equal Opportunity for Transgender Student-Athletes
10.27.09—In a groundbreaking think tank sponsored by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) in partnership with the Women’s Sports Foundation Initiative: It Takes a Team! Education Campaign for LGBT Issues in Sport, top sports leaders, legal experts, policymakers and student-athletes gathered to address equal opportunity for transgender student-athletes. The two-day session provided an opportunity to identify best practices and develop model policies for high school and collegiate athletic leaders to ensure the full inclusion of transgender student-athletes.
Press Release
The National Center for Lesbian Rights Applauds Final Passage of Hate Crimes Bill
10.22.09—Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) applauds the United States Senate for final passage of the hate crimes bill, now known as the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The Department of Defense conference report was approved with the hate crimes bill provisions included by a vote of 68-29. Earlier in the day, Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii cast the final affirmative vote on a procedural motion to limit debate that cleared the last hurdle to final passage as an honor to his long service to the Senate. The conference report accompanies H.R.2647, the underlying Department of Defense Authorization bill. The measure now heads to President Obama for his signature.
Press Release
National Center for Lesbian Rights Immigration Project Director Noemi Calonje Honored by Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club
10.16.09—The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) today announced that the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club will honor NCLR Immigration Project Director Noemi Calonje with their Legal Services Award, which is presented to individuals who build and protect the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community. Calonje will be presented with the award at the Club’s annual awards ceremony on Wednesday, October 21 at 6:00 pm at the Infusion Lounge in San Francisco.
Press Release
Grassroots Power Harnessed to Pass Employment Non-Discrimination Act
National Organizations Co-Lead Grassroots Organizing Training at National Equality March
10.09.09—The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, National Center for Transgender Equality, National Center for Lesbian Rights, and Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG)-National are hosting a training on grassroots organizing to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) as part of this weekend’s National Equality March in Washington, D.C. ENDA is federal legislation that will ban workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Press Release
U.S. House Committee Holds Hearing on Need for Federal Workplace Protections
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act Is Urgently Needed and Long Overdue
09.23.09—Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) commends the House Education and Labor Committee for holding a hearing on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009 (ENDA), H.R. 3017. This vital legislation would provide clear federal protection against workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, which are unrelated to job qualifications or work performance. Since 1994, ENDA has been repeatedly introduced in the House and Senate, with each Congress failing to send it to the President.
read NCLR's Written Tesminony on ENDA to the House Committee on Labor and Education
Press Release
Groundbreaking Think Tank to Address Equal Opportunity for Transgender Student-Athletes
09.22.09—A groundbreaking think tank sponsored by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) in partnership with the Women’s Sports Foundation Initiative: It Takes a Team! Education Campaign for LGBT Issues in Sport will gather national sports leaders, legal experts, and policymakers to address equal opportunity for transgender student-athletes. As increasing numbers of young people identify as transgender in high school or college, the convening will provide an opportunity to identify best practices and develop model policies for high school and collegiate athletic leaders to ensure the full inclusion of transgender student-athletes.
Press Release
NCLR Attorney Awarded Chicana/Latina Foundation’s 2009 Emerging Leadership Award
09.21.09—The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) today announced that Chicana/Latina Foundation will honor NCLR attorney Lisa Cisneros with its 2009 Emerging Leadership Award. The Emerging Leadership Award is presented annually to young leaders committed to social justice and who have demonstrated their commitment with actions and deeds.
Press Release
NCLR and NBJC Hail Introduction of Congressional DOMA Repeal
09.15.09—The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) applaud lawmakers for introducing legislation to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a law that discriminates against lawfully married same-sex couples. Through DOMA, the federal government selectively denies same-sex couples more than 1,100 federal protections and responsibilities, including Social Security and immigration benefits, that apply to all other married couples.
Press Release
The National Center for Lesbian Rights Honored with 2009 Community Leadership Award by the San Francisco Foundation
09.14.09—The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) will be honored by the San Francisco Foundation with its Community Leadership Award on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, in recognition of NCLR’s pioneering spirit and unwavering commitment to advancing the civil and human rights of LGBT people. NCLR will receive the John R. May Award made for organizational initiatives in response to a significant contemporary problem.
opinion
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.
statements
Statement
President Obama Announces Final Rule Ending Ban on HIV-Positive Immigrants
A Statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell
10.30.09—The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) praised President Obama’s announcement today that a final rule repealing the ban on entry to the United States by people with HIV will be published on Monday, November 2. The repeal will take effect in early January, 2010.
Statement
Joint Statement Responding to the Denial of Marriage to an Interracial Couple in Louisiana
10.16.09—Today a statement was issued by a coalition of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality advocates in response to the refusal by a Louisiana justice of the peace to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple in the southeastern part of the state. Keith Bardwell, a justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, refused to marry Beth Humphrey, who is white, and Terence McKay, who is black, because they are an interracial couple.
Statement
The National Center for Lesbian Rights Hails Congressional Action on Hate Crimes Bill
A Statement from NCLR Legal Director
Shannon Price Minter
10.08.09—Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) applauds the United States House of Representatives for taking action and voting to expand hate crimes protections. The House voted 281-146 in favor of a joint House-Senate “conference report” on a defense authorization measure that also includes the provisions that would expand the definition of federal hate crimes to cover attacks based on gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and military service.
Statement
Statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell on Department of Justice's Motion to Dismiss Federal Challenge to DOMA
09.18.09—Today, the Department of Justice filed a motion to dismiss in Gill v. Office of Personnel Development, a federal lawsuit challenging Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which excludes same-sex couples from all federal benefits and protections given to heterosexual married couples.
Statement
Statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell in Support of State Bar Protest
09.02.09—Today the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) issued a statement in support of the California state bar associations and Unite Here Local 30 protest of the California State Bar Association’s decision to hold its upcoming Annual Meeting at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego.
Statement
Statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell on Department of Justice Reply Brief in Challenge to the Federal Defense of Marriage Act
08.17.09—The Department of Justice filed its reply brief today in Smelt v. United States, a federal lawsuit challenging the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which excludes same-sex couples from all federal benefits and protections given to heterosexual married couples.
Statement
A Statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell on the Death Penalty Amendment to the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act
07.20.09—The United States Senate today adopted four new amendments to the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act (bill number S.909), one of which, SA 1615, would mandate the imposition of the death penalty for certain crimes. The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) joins many other civil rights organizations in strongly opposing that amendment.
Statement
The National Center for Lesbian Rights Hails Senate Action on Hate Crimes Bill
Final Senate vote yet to come
07.17.09—The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) applauds the United States Senate for taking action and voting to expand hate crimes protections. Late Thursday, the Senate voted 63 to 28 in a procedural vote to move to the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act (bill number S.909), which is an amendment to the defense spending bill. The vote blocks a potential filibuster and clears the way for a final Senate vote, which is expected next week.
Statement
The National Center for Lesbian Rights Condemns Racism at Pennsylvania Swim Club
A Statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell
07.10.09—On June 29, 2009, a group of 65 children from the Creative Steps day care center in Philadelphia were turned away from a Huntingdon Valley club after members complained and made racist remarks about the children, who were predominantly African-American and Hispanic. According to media reports, some members allegedly made comments that the children might steal or hurt the other children in the pool.
Statement
Massachusetts Files Suit Challenging Anti-Gay Federal Law Denying Protections to Married Same-sex Couples and Their Children
A statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell
07.09.09—Yesterday, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts filed suit against the federal government challenging the constitutionality of the anti-gay federal so-called “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA). The suit targets DOMA Section 3, the section that denies federal benefits to married same-sex couples, charging that Congress overstepped its authority in enacting the measure. The Commonwealth argues in the case that DOMA undermines states’ efforts to recognize marriages and represents the codification of an impermissible “animus towards gay and lesbian people.”
Statement
The National Center for Lesbian Rights Urges Naval Investigation into Gay Sailor's Death
A Statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell
07.07.09—On July 1, 2009, a Camp Pendelton sailor was found murdered on the base in San Diego. The 29-year-old African American sailor, August Provost, was gay and had recently experienced anti-gay harassment.
Statement
DOJ Declines to Appeal Veteran's Victory in Transgender Discrimination Case
A statement from NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter
07.01.09—The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has declined to appeal a federal court ruling awarding transgender veteran Diane Schroer the maximum compensation for the discrimination she suffered by being refused a job with the Library of Congress because of her transgender status. Yesterday, June 30, was the deadline for the government to seek an appeal in Schroer v. Library of Congress, in which Ms. Schroer has been ably represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The Bush Administration had defended this case vigorously, arguing that transgender Americans are not protected by any existing federal laws, but the district court rejected that argument.
Statement
A Statement from NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter on the California Supreme Court’s Modification of Its Opinion in Prop 8 Challenge
06.19.09—The California Supreme Court has issued a modified version of its opinion in the cases challenging Proposition 8, to correct a factual error pointed out in a petition filed by NCLR and our co-counsel (Lambda Legal, the ACLU, Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP, and David Codell) and joined by the City and County of San Francisco. The revised opinion clarifies that the racially discriminatory initiative amendment that was challenged on federal constitutional grounds in Mulkey v. Reitman was also challenged, in a companion case, on the alternative ground that it was an unlawful revision to the California constitution (i.e., the same ground upon which we challenged Prop 8). This correction will be helpful to future courts, as the distinction between an amendment and a revision will continue to be an important issue under California law.