Transgender youth face unique legal issues and challenges in the fight for equality. NCLR is the only LGBTQ legal organization with a project focused on the little “t” in LGBTQ and has been a leading advocate for the rights of transgender youth. Through litigation and advocacy, NCLR has helped ensure that transgender youth have the support and opportunities they need to thrive.
Transgender Youth
Advocacy
Legislation & Policy
TGNC Youth in Confinement Facilities
Nationwide
NCLR received support from the National Prison Rape Elimination Act Resource Center (PRC) to develop a model policy for confinement facilities housing transgender, gender nonconforming and intersex youth. NCLR and the Center for Children’s Law and Policy worked with a diverse group of youth justice stakeholders, including advocates for TGNCI communities, formerly incarcerated young people, facility personnel, and youth justice practitioners from across the country. Together, we produced the model policy which was published by the PRC. Based on the policy, NCLR and the National Juvenile Defender Center created a checklist for juvenile defenders to help juvenile defenders advocate for the safety and well-being of TGNCI youth in secure and non-secure facilities.
Cases & Advocacy
Hecox v. Little
Idaho
In 2020, Idaho Governor Brad Little signed into law HB 500 – the so-called “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” – making Idaho the first state to pass a law banning transgender athletes from participating in sports.
Resources
Press Release
NCLR, GLAD, Trevor Project, and Coalition of Organizations Support Biden Administration’s Inclusive Title IX Athletics Rule
Wednesday, May 17, 2023. The National Center for Lesbian Rights, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), and The Trevor Project – along with the National Education Association and more than a dozen other organizations – have submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Education supporting its proposed rule requiring equal treatment of transgender students in school sports under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. In addition to the National Education Association, the coalition of organizations includes Family Equality, the Los Angeles LGBT Center, and SAGE.
Publications
“All 50”: The Transgender-Inclusive High School Sports and Activities Policy and Education Project
“All 50” is a universal standard model in policy and education for transgender inclusion in K-12 sport and activity associations for all 50 states. It will be based on this single principle—transgender high school students athletes will compete in the gender in which they identify and have a positive sport experience. Download PDF