MLK Day Message from President Imani Rupert-Gordon
Today, NCLR joins millions of people around the world in honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was a visionary whose leadership reshaped this nation and continues to guide movements for justice to this day.
I am deeply grateful for the countless civil rights leaders, advocates, and activists who have carried Dr. King’s legacy forward. Yet, this year, the observance feels more bittersweet than celebratory.
Not only does this day mark the life and leadership of Dr. King, but today also represents the 40th anniversary of his birthday being recognized as a federal holiday. The contrast is striking. In 1986, a presidential administration formally honored Dr. King’s legacy by establishing this holiday. Forty years later, we are living under an administration that issues Executive Orders and policies that run directly counter to the values Dr. King championed.
This administration weaponizes rogue agencies to terrorize communities and commit violence.
By so many measurable standards, we are now further from Dr. King’s vision of the “beloved community,” and perhaps even further from his most famous dream: that his children, and all children, would one day live in a nation where they are judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
This sentiment weighs heavily on our team at NCLR, because this week, our Legal Director, Shannon Minter, will appear before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in Washington, D.C., representing our clients in Talbott v. USA. In this case, we are challenging the discriminatory transgender military ban—a policy that targets servicemembers for no reason other than being transgender. Our lead plaintiff, Nicolas Talbott, recently shared with The New York Times that he has received an outpouring of support from seasoned lesbian, gay, and bisexual servicemembers and veterans who remember similar discrimination felt under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
Our plaintiffs are decorated servicemembers, who have honorably served at the highest levels to defend and support their country and who want nothing more than to be judged by the content of their character.
On Thursday, January 22nd, NCLR will be fighting on behalf of these servicemembers, but more broadly, we are fighting for all of us, to realize the vision Dr. King created: a world where no person can be denied rights based on who they are.
And while this is a daunting task, we are not without hope. Dr. King did more than identify injustice. He also taught us how to confront it. He reminded us that progress demands courage and persistence. To achieve the “beloved community,” he urged each of us to “become outspoken champions.”
NCLR will take Dr. King’s message to heart with us as we fight for justice this week, and work to achieve a country that honors us all and is built by outspoken champions.
In solidarity,
Imani Rupert-Gordon
National Center for LGBTQ Rights President
Litigation/Case Updates
The U.S. Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on Transgender Student Athletes
On January 13, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.P.J., 2 cases which challenge extreme laws that ban all transgender girls from girls’ sports. The court will decide if Idaho and West Virginia violated Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution in barring the girls from participating in high school and college intramural athletics. While this issue has exploded in the media, it is reported that there are less than 10 openly transgender athletes competing at the collegiate level in the United States, and – while still a small minority – most transgender students wishing to participate in sports are joining middle and high school teams, or participating in club sports. The Court’s ruling in these cases – which we expect later this year – will have lasting implications not only for transgender people and NCLR’s current cases in Arizona and Utah, but for the future of sex discrimination law. NCLR’s Rachel Berg, co-counsel in this Arizona case, explained to 13 News that:
“These extreme blanket bans against all transgender girls, like the one in Arizona, do not take into account all of the individual circumstances and discriminate in a way that is unconstitutional.”
NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter told The 19th he remains hopeful.
“I was encouraged. I think a majority of the justices seem to recognize that if individual unfairness can be challenged in an equal protection case, that these girls would win. Whatever they rule in this case, they do not seem at all inclined to try to impose a ban on the entire country. They seem very committed to leaving the door open for states that want to permit transgender girls to play on girls’ teams.”
NCLR is closely watching developments and will provide updates on our related work when we have a ruling from the court.
Legal Director Shannon Minter to Argue Before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Talbott v. USA
Talbott v. USA, NCLR’s lawsuit challenging Trump’s executive order and the resulting Department of Defense policy banning transgender individuals from the military, goes to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit on Thursday January 22, with NCLR’s Legal Director, Shannon Minter, arguing for the Plaintiffs, transgender servicemembers who have served honorably and wish to continue their careers with the military.
As of March 26, 2025, NCLR secured a preliminary injunction that halted implementation of the ban and protected transgender servicemembers and recruits from its significant harms, but a ruling in Shilling v. United States superseded the injunction and the military began separating transgender service members in June of 2025. Despite the ruling in Shilling, Talbott v. USA continues to proceed, and a ruling in our Plaintiffs’ favor could reverse the discriminatory policy.
Oral arguments featuring NCLR’s Shannon Minter will begin at 9:30AM ET on Thursday, Jan. 22 and a livestream is available on the court website: District of Columbia Circuit | United States Court of Appeals
Follow @nclrights on Instagram for updates
SAVE THE DATE! CHAMPIONS FOR JUSTICE GALA COMING MAY 2026
Say It Loud, Wear It Proud! NCLR merch for all!
The NCLR store is open for business, and you can officially wear it proud! Show your support for NCLR with a t-shirt, ball cap, water bottle, and more! 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 The NCLR store today!
National Center for LGBTQ Rights | Official Merchandise | Bonfire
NCLR in the News
Our Address Has Changed!
In February of 2025, our mailing address changed. If you or your financial institution sends contributions to NCLR via post, please note that any checks should be made payable to NCLR, and mailed to the address listed below.
Contributions and Payments Address
ATTN: NCLR
Bank of San Francisco
345 California St., Ste. 1600
San Francisco, CA 94104
For additional contact information, visit Contact Us – National Center for LGBTQ Rights
For additional information about making a gift, visit Get Involved – National Center for LGBTQ Rights
