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
Sonoma County Defendants to Pay Clay Greene over $650,000 to Settle Case in Which County Forcefully Separated Greene from his Partner of 20 Years
7.23.10—Late yesterday evening, Clay Greene and the estate of Harold Scull, Greene's deceased partner of 20 years, reached a settlement resolving their lawsuit against the County of Sonoma (“County”) and other defendants.
Press Release
NCLR Applauds District of Columbia Court of Appeals Decision to Uphold Marriage Equality
07.15.10—Today, in a 5-4 decision, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals - D.C.’s highest court - upheld marriage equality in the District by reaffirming earlier decisions of the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics and the D.C. Superior Court.
Press Release
NCLR Expands Elder Law Program
Fellowship launches the Del Martin Memorial LGBT Elder Advocacy Initiative
07.06.10—Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) announced the expansion of the organization’s pioneering elder law advocacy work with the launch of the Del Martin LGBT Elder Advocacy Initiative.
Press Release
U.S. Supreme Court Upholds University Non-Discrimination Policy in NCLR Case
Rejects challenge to Law School Policy Requiring Funded Student Groups To Welcome All Students
06.28.10—Today, in a 5-4 decision authored by Justice Ruth Ginsburg, the United States Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the University of California Hastings College of the Law’s policy of requiring all funded student groups to be open to all students.
Press Release
Groundbreaking Study Released on Polling Regarding Marriage Equality and Same-Sex Relationships
Shows that Voters Don’t Move During Campaigns; Debunks Theories Explaining Persistent Discrepancies between Polls and Actual Results
06.15.10—A groundbreaking report released today analyzing a decade’s worth of polling on ballot measures regarding marriage for same-sex couples found that forces supporting and opposing marriage equality had little success at changing voter sentiment during these campaigns.
Press Release
Incarcerated Transgender Woman Can Pursue Case for Appropriate Medical Care
06.08.10—A U.S. district court judge in Massachusetts has denied the government’s request to dismiss the case of Vanessa Adams, a Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmate with gender identity disorder (GID). For years, the BOP denied Ms. Adams treatment for her serious medical condition.
Press Release
Student Non-Discrimination Act Introduced in the U.S. Senate
05.20.10—Today, the National Center of Lesbian Rights (NCLR) applauds Senator Franken for introducing the Student Non-Discrimination Act in the Senate. The Student Non-Discrimination Act is federal legislation designed to ensure that all students have access to public education in a safe environment free from discrimination, including harassment, bullying, intimidation and violence.
Press Release
State and National Civil Rights Groups Laud Maryland For Providing State Employee Benefits To Married Same-Sex Couples
05.19.10—Heartened that the State of Maryland has taken an important step forward for the rights of all families, the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland, Equality Maryland, the Maryland Black Family Alliance, Lambda Legal and the National Center for Lesbian Rights today lauded the state Department of Budget and Management for its decision to make the Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program inclusive of same-sex couples who have valid marriages that were performed in other states.
Press Release
The National Center for Lesbian Rights Expands Legal Program
Addition of Federal Policy Attorney Position Extends Organization’s National Reach
05.03.10—Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights announced that it is adding a newly created position, federal policy attorney, to its national legal team. NCLR’s new attorney, Maya R. Rupert, will be based in the Eastern Regional Office in Washington, D.C. where she will focus efforts on federal and state levels to end discrimination and to ensure equality under the law.
Press Release
NCLR Honors Vicki Randle, Will Phillips, Wolfe Video, Curve Magazine at 33rd Anniversary Gala
05.02.10—A crowd of over 1,200 members and allies of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community celebrated the 33rd anniversary of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) on Saturday night. In addition to celebrating the achievements of the past year, NCLR honored Vicki Randle and Will Phillips for their commitment to advancing the rights of the LGBT community, as well as Wolfe Video and Curve Magazine for their tremendous contributions to the community.
Press Release
Supreme Court Hears Argument in Case in Which LGBT Legal Groups Filed Brief Disputing False Claims of Harrassment and Defending Open Government Requirements
04.28.10—Today, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Doe v. Reed, in which anti-gay groups present the false claim that they have been subjected to “systematic intimidation” by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Anti-gay groups that placed a measure on the ballot to keep Washington State’s comprehensive domestic partnership law from going into effect are seeking to prevent the state of Washington from disclosing the names of voters who sign petitions supporting state ballot initiatives.
Press Release
NCLR Files Suit Challenging Discriminatory Athletic Policy
Athletes, Coach humiliated at public interrogation about sexual orientation
04.20.10—Today, National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) clients and the law firm of K&L Gates LLP filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington challenging the discriminatory practices of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Association (NAGAAA).
Press Release
NCLR Launches Visibility Campaign to Expose Tragic Case Where Sonoma County Separated Elderly Gay Couple, Sold Off All Belongings
Long-term partners had taken necessary steps to protect relationship in time of crisis
04.19.10—Today, NCLR launched a national media campaign to bring visibility to a tragic new case where Sonoma County, California officials separated an elderly gay couple and sold their worldly possessions despite the measures the men had taken to protect their relationship.
Press Release
U.S. Supreme Court Weighs College Non-Discrimination Policies
Case may impact public universities around the country
04.19.10—Today, the United States Supreme Court will hear arguments in Christian Legal Society v. Martinez, in which it will consider whether a student organization has a constitutional right to obtain public funds and other government-provided benefits while reserving the right to exclude members on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation or any other factor.
opinion
Opinion
A Landmark Victory for Justice and Our Families
NCLR's Blog: Out for Justice
08.04.10— Well, it’s official, Prop. 8 is history. Hopefully, for good. Today U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn R. Walker ruled that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional and violates the United States Constitution’s guarantees of due process and equal protection of the laws.
Opinion
Victory! Sonoma County Settles with Clay Greene
NCLR's Blog: Out for Justice
07.23.10— Just days before trial was set to begin in our lawsuit on behalf of Clay Greene, Sonoma County officials have agreed to settle out of court with the elderly man, who County officials separated from his partner, Harold Scull, after Harold was injured in a fall outside of their home.
statements
Statement
Judge Walker Rules Marriages Can Begin Aug. 18 Unless Court of Appeals Intervenes
A statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell
08.12.10—Today, U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that there was no basis to stay his Aug. 4 ruling that Proposition 8 violates the United States Constitution’s guarantees of due process and equal protection of the laws. However, Walker also ordered that marriages cannot begin until Aug. 18 at 5 p.m. in order to give the United States Court of Appeals time to review his decision to deny the stay.
Statement
Attorney General Jerry Brown and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Oppose Prop 8 Stay
A statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell
08.06.10—Today, both California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown filed separate motions opposing a stay of U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker's decision to overturn Prop 8.
Statement
Federal Judge: Prop 8 Unconstitutional
A statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell
08.04.10—Today in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, a federal lawsuit challenging California’s Proposition 8, Judge Vaughn R. Walker of the U.S. District Court in San Francisco ruled that Proposition 8 violates the United States Constitution’s guarantees of due process and equal protection of the laws.
Statement
The National Center for Lesbian Rights Congratulates Attorney Paul M. Smith, Who Will Be Honored with the Thurgood Marshall Award
A statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell
07.29.10—The National Center for Lesbian Rights extends our warmest congratulations and appreciation to attorney Paul M. Smith, who will receive the 2010 Thurgood Marshall Award the most prestigious civil rights honor in the nation at the Thurgood Marshall Award Dinner on Aug. 7 in San Francisco.
Statement
NCLR Calls on Congress for Immigration Equality for Families
Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation Must Include Protections for Binational Couples among The Family Unity Provisions
07.15.10—Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights joined a coalition of organizations and leaders calling on Congress to insist that the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) be included in comprehensive immigration reform legislation going forward.
Statement
Federal Judge: DOMA Violates the Constitutional Rights of Same-Sex Married Couples
A statement from NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter
07.08.10—Today, in the cases Gill v. Office of Personnel Management and Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Department of Health and Human Services, which challenge the constitutionality of the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA), Judge Joseph Tauro of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts ruled that the denial of federal rights and benefits to lawfully married same-sex couples is unconstitutional.
Statement
GLMA, NCLR Urge Investigation of Alleged Misuse of Prenatal Drug to Manipulate Sexual Orientation
07.07.10—Today, the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association and the National Center for Lesbian Rights respond to the recent article published by the Bioethics Forum of the Hastings Center, a nonpartisan bioethics institute, investigating the abuse of the steroid dexamethasone by administering the drug to pregnant women in the attempt to prevent female children from having atypical genitals or from growing up to be lesbian.
Statement
The National Center for Lesbian Rights Condemns Hawaii Governor's Veto Of Civil Unions Bill
A statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell
07.06.10—Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) condemned Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle’s veto of a bill that would have allowed both same-sex and different-sex couples in Hawaii to protect their families by entering into civil unions.
Statement
NCLR Applauds New Federal Fair Housing Policy Protecting LGBT People
A statement from the National Center for Lesbian Rights
07.02.10—Today the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) praised the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s new policy that provides lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals and families with further assistance when facing housing discrimination.
Statement
U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Open Government Laws
Court rejects claim by anti-gay groups that disclosure laws violate the First Amendment
06.24.10—Today, in an 8-1 decision authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, the United States Supreme Court decisively rejected a First Amendment challenge to a Washington statute requiring public disclosure of the names of individuals who sign petitions to place referendums or initiatives on state ballots.
Statement
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Groups and Allies Join Outcry Against Anti-Immigrant Measure in Arizona
06.07.10— More than 20 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality groups and allies today issued the following joint statement: Arizona’s S.B. 1070 takes the state down a path that will lead to racial profiling, discrimination, and anti-immigrant extremism.
Statement
NCLR on Don't Ask, Don't Tell Vote: "Crucial Steps, But Discharges Must End"
A statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell
05.27.10—Today the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate Armed Services Committee voted to act to end Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT), the discriminatory policy that bans lesbian, gay, and bisexual service members from openly serving in the military. The House and the Senate Armed Services Committee approved an amendment to be included in the Department of Defense appropriations bill.
Statement
Coalition Urges Congress to Vote on Federal Legislation for Workplace in Honor of First Official Harvey Milk Day
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act Necessary and Overdue for Workers
05.17.10—A coalition of national, state and local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights groups are calling on Congress to vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009 (ENDA), H.R. 3017 without further delay. This essential legislation would provide clear federal protection against workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.