December is the advancement team’s favorite month! The days get shorter and cozier and, while the world slows down just a little bit, generous individuals have a heightened focus on charitable contributions, making it a busy time for us. I get the opportunity to communicate with so many people who love and support NCLR’s work: connecting on our shared concerns for our country and community and creating opportunities to share ideas, showcase NCLR’s incredible work and continue to grow our connections and relationships. It is the best part of my job, meeting so many smart, thoughtful and engaged people. Being in communities with you always gives me the hope I need to persevere. 

Sharing NCLR’s work with you is easy – it is comprehensive, smart, efficient, and tireless.  Our team is one of the most dedicated I have ever had the honor to work beside. And the generosity of our growing community of donors and partners humbles me daily. Recently, I spent an afternoon having lunch with a 15-year donor to NCLR. He has always been aligned with our mission and the way we do our work, asks thoughtful questions, and shares our tireless commitment to every single member of our LGBTQ community. 

Last week, we received a substantial donation from a long-time supporter. For over 30 years, she has been a generous advocate and champion of our work and, at this time, made her biggest contribution to date because she, like so many of us, sees the urgency of our work in this moment. With this recent gift, she became a million-dollar donor to NCLR – a beautiful testament to the power of legacy in incremental giving.  

In December I often spend time reading letters from donors, and I am filled with gratitude – and hope. We know the constant barrage of hate, cruelty and harmful legislation feels overwhelming. But our legal and policy teams continue to create new tools, strengthening new partnerships and fighting in every possible way we can. Thank you for making NCLR part of your giving this season. With 100% of our budget coming from individual and foundation donations, NONE of this happens without you. If you would like to speak to me – about our work, our support, or to simply make a personal connection, please reach out to me at jbing@nclrights.org. I look forward to hearing from you and sharing my gratitude for your commitment to LGBTQ justice. 

Thank you,
Jennifer Bing
VP of Advancement 

On December 11, NCLR held our annual virtual briefing to share our work over the past year and our plan for 2026! We discussed our collaborative and courageous legal strategy to stop, delay and reduce harm, choosing cases that use our years of expertise to have a significant impact for our community. We shared insights into how we are adapting our work as the administration cracks down on DEI programs within legal aid organizations, ramps up illegal deportations and threatens federal funding to hospitals providing medical care to transgender patients. And we highlighted our public education work around the harms of conversion therapy, creating campaigns and communications networks that cut through misinformation and ensure that, even if we lose Chiles v. Salazar, parents won’t choose conversion therapy for their minor children. Thank you to those who attended and submitted compelling questions about how we are meeting this moment. 

Watch the recording: https://youtu.be/U4pFfh4eDK8 

NCLR’s work in defense of democracy would not be possible without your support. Please make your gift today! 

Donate Now! 

You asked for it, and it’s finally here! NCLR is launching a store, so you can wear it proud! Show your support for NCLR in the new year with a t-shirt, ball cap, water bottle, and more! There’s even a onesie for the NCLR babies in your life! NCLR merch is a great way to support our work and advocate for our mission at the same time. When people ask about your new merch, you can tell them about NCLR’s mission to advance the civil and human rights of LGBTQ people nationwide and look good doing it. It’s a win-win! 

Visit NCLR’s store today. 

Thank you to NCLR champion Doug Edwards who teamed up with Cartoonist and Writer Ruben Bolling to create a t-shirt to give to donors at a trans rights event. Part of the proceeds went to NCLR.

Check out the powerful and timely collaboration.

• Trump-picked appeals court judges side with Hegseth policy to kick out trans troops, via The Independent.

• D.C. appeals court keeps Trump’s transgender military ban in place despite one judge’s blistering dissent, via The Advocate 

• Gender care ban sets Catholic hospitals on uncharted path, via Law360 

• Illinois organizations release new resource to help survivors of conversion practices seek accountability, Via Windy City Times 

Lincoln, Nebraska | Dec 19 | Queer Church:  The Unitarian Church of Lincoln will be hosting a Holiday Rainbow Community Service. The church will be curating an intentional and welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ people to reclaim the message of new life, returning of the light, and (chosen) family that make up the December Holiday Season.  

NYC, NY | December 16 | Lesbian Artist Collective’s Holiday Carnival: Kick off the holiday season with a carnival! There will be snacks, crafts, and festivities.

San Francisco, December 15 | Queer Bowling by Mission Bowling Club: Pride may only be once a year, but Queer Bowling is at MBC every month! Join Queer Bowling MBC on the third Monday of each month to support our community and raise awareness of local non-profits fighting the good fight. Complimentary bowling is sponsored by select brands who support the LGBTQIA+ community. Purchasing a ticket in advance guarantees you entry to MBC and for every ticket purchased we will donate $10 to support a local non-profit of our choosing. Your ticket purchase also gets you a complimentary welcome cocktail as our way of saying thank you for your support of MBC and our community.