Presidential Order Addresses the Deadly Harm  of Conversion Therapy WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Biden issued a historic and sweeping executive order aimed at addressing multiple facets of discrimination against LGBTQI+ Americans. The order, timed to coincide with Pride Month, addresses the wave of anti-LGBTQI+ bills being introduced and passed in dozens of states across the […]

Sunday, May 1 is the annual celebration of International Workers’ Day – also known as May Day – which honors the struggle of workers all around the world.  While the LGBTQ movement typically focuses on nondiscrimination and healthcare insurance as issues in the workplace, the concerns of LGBTQ workers also include those not related to […]

During Lesbian Visibility Week, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Center for Transgender Equality, and the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund honor the lives and experiences of transgender and non-binary lesbians. We affirm that trans women are women and that trans and non-binary lesbians are a valued part of the LGBTQ community. As […]

Today, April 22, marks Earth Day, a day when we celebrate the Earth and also rally around finding solutions to climate change and environmental injustice. Started in the 1970s partly in response to Silent Spring, a book written by lesbian author and marine biologist Rachel Carson, the day has been part of a movement that […]

Historic Appointment Brings Needed Diversity to Nation’s Highest Court  WASHINGTON, DC – Today, by a bipartisan vote of 53-47, the United States Senate confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve as an Associate Justice on the United State Supreme Court. She will take her place on the bench following the retirement of Justice Stephen Breyer […]

As a young, trans woman, I’m very honored to be able to share this message with you today on Transgender Day of Visibility. This year more than ever it is important that we use whatever voice and presence we can muster to lift up those who need the most help and support in our community. […]

This week, NCLR announced our new Senior Youth Policy Counsel (he/she/they and prefix Mx.) and we could not be more excited that the person filling this role is our own Danielle (Danny) King!  Since our founding 45 years ago, NCLR has been at the forefront of protecting and advocating on behalf of LGBTQ youth, a […]

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – NCLR applauds the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, currently serving on the D.C. Circuit, to replace Justice Breyer on the U.S. Supreme Court. Judge Jackson’s nomination is historic for many reasons, including that she will be the first Supreme Court justice who previously served as a public defender.  “Judge Jackson […]

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the United States Senate voted 66-31 to confirm Chantale Wong to serve as the Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADP). The historic and bipartisan vote makes Wong the first openly lesbian – and first LGBTQ person of color – confirmed to an ambassador-level role in the history of the United […]

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer announced his intention to retire. Justice Breyer, who was appointed by President Clinton in 1994, has been a consistent supporter of women’s rights, reproductive freedoms, voter protections, and LGBTQ equality. His retirement gives President Biden a historic opportunity to name a pro-equality successor […]

Because of the strength and courage of survivors, today is Andrew Cuomo’s last day as the Governor of New York. It has taken years of abuse, a 5-month long investigation, a 7-day waiting period, and a 14-day transition for a man credibly accused of sexually harassing and abusing women on his staff, to step down […]

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – NCLR is saddened to hear of the passing of our long-time friend and LGBTQ philanthropist and trailblazer, Ambassador James (Jim) Hormel. Jim made history in 1999 when former President Bill Clinton appointed him to serve as the first openly LGBTQ United States Ambassador.   NCLR Executive Director Imani Rupert-Gordon issued the following […]

In 2020, I began my first year as a law student at UC Davis, moving from my home state of Utah to Northern California. After arriving in Davis I knew I wanted to continue working on behalf of LGBTQ people as I had done in the past as part of the close-knit queer community in […]

Gay Parent Magazine profiled NCLR’s Deputy Director and Family Law Director Cathy Sakimura for their July-August 2021 Issue, discussing how to make the world a better place for LGBTQ parents everywhere.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today, Joseph R. Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States after campaigning on a platform that advocated for the strongest protections for LGBTQ individuals in the history of the nation. As one of his first official acts in office, President Biden signed a series of executive orders […]

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – After witnessing President Trump’s role in instigating the violence that took place in Washington, D.C. yesterday, NCLR joins the growing bipartisan call for removal and impeachment of the president in order to protect the American people.   “Given the gravity of the President’s role in inciting yesterday’s violent attack on our […]

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Last night, Georgia voters made history by electing Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff to represent the Southern state in the United State Senate. Rev. Warnock’s election is truly historic as he will be the first Black Senator to represent Georgia in Congress. A statement from Imani Rupert-Gordon, NCLR Executive Director: […]

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today, Martin Jenkins was unanimously confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments to serve on the California Supreme Court, filling the vacancy of Justice Ming W. Chin, who retired from the court last in August. Jenkins, who is gay, becomes the first openly LGTBQ individual to serve on the highest court […]

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today, the Associated Press made the call that based on receiving a majority of votes in the electoral college, former-Vice President and Senator Kamala Harris have been elected as the next President and Vice President of the United States. This announcement ends a historic election, which saw one of the highest […]

If confirmed, Jenkins would be the first LGBTQ Justice to serve on the highest court in the largest state in United States SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he has nominated Martin Jenkins to serve on the California Supreme Court to fill the vacancy of Justice Ming W. Chin, who retired […]