IN MEMORIAM: LINDA GEBROE
On June 25th, the world lost an incredible voice in Linda Gebroe. Not only was she a generous donor and a fierce advocate for justice, but she was also a beloved friend to NCLR.
A beautiful writer with a clear eye for impact, Linda knew how to create change both on and off the page. She made her first gift to NCLR in 1988 and continued to support NCLR for over 30 years. Linda made annual contributions through her donor-advised fund and was among NCLR’s first donors to make contributions of $1,000,000 in her lifetime.
As our community needs shifted over the years, NCLR responded and Linda supported us at every turn.
On June 25th, the world lost an incredible voice in Linda Gebroe. Not only was she a generous donor and a fierce advocate for justice, but she was also a beloved friend to NCLR.
A beautiful writer with a clear eye for impact, Linda knew how to create change both on and off the page. She made her first gift to NCLR in 1988 and continued to support NCLR for over 30 years. Linda made annual contributions through her donor-advised fund and was among NCLR’s first donors to make contributions of $1,000,000 in her lifetime.
As our community needs shifted over the years, NCLR responded and Linda supported us at every turn.
“Fight the fight, play well with others, and save some lives,” was written in a note from Linda along with her increased support after the 2016 election. And she meant it. Over the past 6 years, she increased her gifts again to meet the moment to protect our community.
I remember after watching Wicked together, Linda and I had dinner from her favorite Chinese restaurant, and she gave me the fortune from her cookie. I taped it to my computer as a reminder of the friendships you make when a shared commitment to justice brings you together. I am so grateful for all of the time I had with Linda. She was a dear friend with a kind heart, and I will miss her greatly.
The movement lost a giant that will be felt by the Bay area and beyond. Each of us had a special moment with Linda, whether sharing a meal, watching a Giants game, attending NCLR’s gala or seeing one another on the streets of Noe Valley or Glen Park. Happy birthday Linda. We will miss you but can take solace that we are making you proud by continuing the work you championed.
-Imani Rupert-Gordon,
NCLR President
WHAT IT MEANS TO PLAY
On June 30, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.P.J. upholding laws in Idaho and West Virginia banning transgender girls and women from competing in girls’ and women’s school sports. In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that the state laws do not violate the Equal Protection Clause or Title IX.
Learn more about how NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter breaks down the Court’s decision in this case: What the Supreme Court Did Not Decide in West Virginia v. B.P.J. or watch this
NCLR led a similar case, Doe v. Horne, in Arizona since 2023. We represented two transgender girls who were barred from playing the sports they love with their friends at school. The final verdict for our clients was on hold, pending this SCOTUS decision.
Although the Supreme Court decision was very disappointing, NCLR’s work in Arizona was still incredibly meaningful to our clients and their families. Because we were able to secure a preliminary injunction, our clients – a high school volleyball player and a middle school cross-country, soccer, track and field, and flag-football player – played with their teams for three school years. They were able to make friends, learn valuable leadership skills, and participate fully in their communities.
This is why it’s so important that we take on these cases and delay the laws from going into effect as much as we can, even if we do not ultimately win.
Our client’s mom had this to say about what the ability to play has meant to her daughter, who is off to college in the fall.
“I would just like to say thank you for all the work and care and thought you put into our case. Thank you for having the courage to fight for fairness. Our daughter had the miraculous chance to play with the girls at her school, and she blossomed because of it. She became part of a team, and not from the sidelines. She cemented friendships and mentorships and learned responsibility to teammates in a way that she could not otherwise have done. I wish more people could see her, when this subject comes up, rather than the monsters that the current administration try to plant in people’s minds.”
Thank you for supporting NCLR so that we can continue to fight for our clients’ right to equal treatment. This is the beginning of this fight, not the end.
-Rachel Berg,
NCLR Senior Staff Attorney
TALBOTT V. USA: OUR MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION HAS BEEN GRANTED
On the heels of a decision on June 1st upholding our preliminary injunction in our case challenging the Trump-Hegseth ban on transgender military service, Talbott v. USA, our motion to make the case a class action has been granted. Class certification ensures protections won in this case will apply to all transgender servicemembers.
These two latest rulings in Talbott v. USA have halted the discharge of our plaintiffs and all current transgender military service members while the case proceeds.
The trial is scheduled to begin on January 4th, 2027. NCLR’s legal team will be rigorously preparing for the rest of 2026. We know that this ban is discriminatory, rooted in animus, and irrationally excludes highly decorated and qualified service members. Trump administration, we’ll see you in court.
BY THE POWER VESTED IN ME: A MARRIAGE COMMISSIONER FOR ALL
Each year on the last Friday in June, San Francisco hosts a marathon day of marriages in celebration of Pride. The event pays homage to San Francisco’s historic support for marriage equality, stemming from then Mayor (now Governor) Newsom’s 2004 directive to begin issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples. 22 years later, the tradition continues as hundreds of couples join hands at San Franciso City Hall to commemorate their pride with a vow of marriage.
For the past three years I have had the privilege to serve as a Marriage Commissioner for the City of San Francisco, and participating in these weddings is by far my favorite way to celebrate Pride. The event is a joyful reminder of the positive impact marriage equality has made on our lives.
It’s also a reminder of NCLR’s leadership in the fight for marriage equality in California and nationwide. Walking into City Hall to perform marriage ceremonies on the 11th anniversary of the Obergefell v. Hodges decision that established marriage equality in all 50 states filled me not only with pride for my community, but also with pride for the work that we do at NCLR on behalf of LGBTQ people everywhere. NCLR litigated ten marriage cases, including cases in California, New Mexico, Alabama, Florida, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota, argued for marriage equality before the California Supreme Court in 2008 and represented same-sex couples from Tennessee in Obergefell, the final chapter in the long fight for marriage.
As we prepare for each ceremony, looking out over the fourth-floor balcony to see City Hall decorated for Pride —filled with rainbows, brides, grooms, their families and friends—I ask every couple the same question —Did you always want to be married at San Francisco City Hall? The answer is always a resounding yes, because, no matter where they are from, they love what our city represents —a commitment to equality and opportunity for everyone.
Thanks to Gavin Newsom’s courageous decision in 2004, the Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell on June 26th, 2015, NCLR’s commitment to marriage equality, and the power vested in me by the state of California we married over 200 couples this year. It’s such a joy to serve as a Marriage Commissioner, and an honor to continue NCLR’s work to protect and defend LGBTQ rights nationwide.
Elizabeth Lanyon
Director of Philanthropy
NCLR WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS
June Crenshaw is an accomplished nonprofit executive and nationally recognized LGBTQ+ community leader with more than three decades of experience advancing equality, strengthening nonprofit organizations, and building partnerships that create lasting impact. She currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of Capital Pride Alliance, where she oversees organizational operations, strategic initiatives, human resources, volunteer engagement, and community partnerships in support of one of the nation’s largest Pride organizations.
Min R. Matson is a nationally recognized LGBTQ+ community leader, healthcare executive advisor, and advocate for equity, inclusion, and access. Throughout his career, he has worked at the intersection of leadership, social impact, and systems change, helping organizations build stronger leaders and more inclusive institutions. He currently serves as a Consultant with Egon Zehnder, where he advises boards and senior executives on leadership, governance, succession planning, and organizational transformation across the healthcare and life sciences sectors.
Learn more about Min.
We are also thrilled to announce that current Board Member Gwen Tillman will now serve as Board Co-Chair. Thank you for your leadership, Gwen.
OUT & ABOUT: LGBTQ EVENTS HAPPENING NEAR YOU
OAKLAND PRIDE OUT + EXCELLENT CONFERENCE AUG. 14-16
NCLR President Imani Rupert-Gordon is honored to join the 2026 Out + Excellent Conference as one of this year’s featured speakers in the official LGBTQ+ conference of Oakland Pride Weekend at Kissel Uptown Oakland.
Saturday, August 15th
12-4PM
This isn’t another conference filled with surface level conversations. This is where LGBTQ+ creatives, professionals, entrepreneurs, and changemakers come together to learn, connect and celebrate our future.
NCLR OUT LOUD
THE CONVERSATIONS WE’RE STARTING, THE STORIES MAKING NOISE, AND THE POSTS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS
The New York Times, “Hegseth Plans to Screen All Troops, Including Women, for Low Testosterone: Pete Hegseth as defense secretary, has sought to cultivate an image as a manosphere-friendly leader,” by Greg Jaffe, July 15, 2026.
GO Magazine, “Democrat Pramila Jayapal, Mother of a Trans Child, Calls Out Pete Hegseth’s Testosterone Double Standard,” by Alex Cooper, July 16, 2026.
The Advocate, “Transgender troops just won a major ruling in their fight against Trump’s military ban. Judge Ana Reyes’s order means the case can move beyond the named plaintiffs as transgender service members fight to stay in uniform. She also set a trial date,” by Christoper Wiggins, June 30, 2026
CNN, “How the Supreme Court has changed on transgender rights since 2020,” by Joan Biskupic, July 5, 2026
The Advocate, op-ed, “What the Supreme Court did not decide in the trans sports case. The ruling in West Virginia v. B.P.J. leaves open the door to inclusive policies, writes attorney Shannon Minter,” by Shannon Minter, June 30, 2026
NPR/ KQED, “Trump’s DOJ Can’t Get Names and Medical Files of Trans Youth in California, for Now. Trump’s Department of Justice is seeking patient files that include the names of young people who have been treated in transgender clinics, as well as hospital staff who have provided care,” by Selena Simmons-Duffin, June 21, 2026
The Stanford Daily, “Judge blocks DOJ’s request for medical records of Stanford’s transgender minors. The injunction protects tens of thousands of patients who received gender-affirming care,” by Catherine Wu, July 5, 2026
LGBTQ Nation, “Federal judge blocks Trump administration’s plan to send 14 trans women to men’s prisons,” by Alex Bollinger, June 8, 2026
LAist, “CHOC to extend trans youth care for 6 months. Where does that leave families?” by Kevin Tidmarsh, June 26, 2026
NPR/ KJZZ Phoenix, “The lone teenager challenging Arizona’s transgender sports ban leaves the case,” by Lauren Gilger, July 13, 2026
The Advocate, “Judge presses Trump administration over revoked retirements for transgender Air Force troops. The Air Force approved early retirements for 17 transgender service members, then revoked them. Now a federal judge is questioning the government’s effort to dismiss most of their claims,” by Christoper Wiggins, July 10, 2026
Times of San Diego, “Civil rights defenders honored with grand marshal role at Pride Parade,” by Andi Ruiz, July 7, 2026
The Advocate, “Federal judge blocks DOJ from getting its hands on trans children’s private medical records. The order protects Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford patients whose records the Trump administration sought through criminal grand jury,” by Christoper Wiggins, July 2, 2026
The Advocate, “Forced by Trump to retire, a trans airman is ‘passing the torch’ to a firefighter waiting to serve. Ending a career he did not want to leave, Master Sgt. Logan Ireland is still fighting to pass on the “opportunity to succeed” in military service to his mentee Clayton McCallister,” by Christoper Wiggins, June 22, 2026
