Out, Safe, and Respected

The Out, Safe, & Respected kit from Lambda Legal is designed to help you know your rights at school and make sure they’re respected, and to give you concrete ideas about how you can make a difference in your school and community. 

You have the right to be who you are. You have the right to be out, safe and respected at school.

 Download your copy of Lambda Legal's educational booklet, Out, Safe & Respected today.

Thank the Iowa Supreme Court justices who got the boot because they ruled in favor of gay marriage

Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director of Lambda Legal writes:

"Last week, three well-respected Iowa Supreme Court justices—Chief Justice Marsha Ternus, Justice David Baker and Justice Michael Streit—lost retention elections following a vicious campaign by antigay groups. The justices were targeted because of the Court's 2009 unanimous decision in favor of marriage equality in Lambda Legal's historic lawsuit. We can't let extremists politicize our courts.

Hundreds of people around the country have pledged to fight back by protecting fair courts and fair judges. Join us!"

SIGN THE PLEDGE and share this message with your friends.

Yesterday, Lambda Legal asked their Facebook followers how they would say thank you to the justices. Hundreds have already responded. Here are some of the highlights:

"There is no way I could thank them enough for their courage to do the right thing. I wish there was a way to express my gratitude in a manner befitting the magnitude of their service."


"Thank you for your courageous stance, and thank you for standing for what you believed in. You deserve to be commended for your honesty."


"Thank you for fighting to make it possible. Laura and Kimberly, married in Iowa City, July 30."

Stopping sexual abuse in prisons

Lambda Legal joined National Center for Transgender Equality, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Transgender Law Center in submitting comments in support of the recommended national standards for the prevention, detection, response, and monitoring of sexual abuse developed by the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission.

LGBT people and people living with HIV make up a significant percentage of those currently under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice, crimination justice, and immigration detention systems. Research on sexual abuse in these settings consistently documents the heightened vulnerability of LGBT people and people living with HIV to sexual victimization at the hands of facility staff and other inmates.

National LGBT Health Awareness Week

This week is National LGBT Health Awareness Week. Observe the occasion by helping Lambda Legal collect the stories of gay people who have been affected by health care discrimination.

Share Your Story today and help ask policy-makers and health care providers to ensure that LGBT people and people living with HIV receive care free from discrimination.

In Lambda Legal's recent health care fairness survey, most of the 5,000 respondents reported experiencing discrimination in health care settings—including more than half of all lesbian, gay and bisexual respondents, 70 percent of transgender respondents and 63 percent of respondents living with HIV.

Three things you can do for ENDA today

Congressional leaders said the time to take up the Employment Non-Discrimination Act would be after health care reform passed. Lambda Legal wants the House Representatives to take up ENDA as soon as they return from recess on April 12 and they've come up with a list of three quick and easy things you can do to help.

Check 'em out after the jump.

1. CALL the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Give the operator your zip code and ask to be connected to your Representative.

Suggested voicemail message: My name is _______ , and I live at (your street address) in (your city). I am calling about ENDA. My message is simple and direct: we need a House vote on ENDA as soon as possible. Thank you.

2. WRITE your representative (handwritten is best) or send an email.

Suggested email or letter:

In too many states, there are no specific protections to keep employers from firing people because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT).

Federal law is inadequate; and the current patchwork of state and local laws is not enough.

LGBT people need to work to live and support their families, just like everyone else. They deserve to be judged on their work performance, and not face discrimination based on who they are.

ENDA can help fix these problems by making it illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Please help by ending the delays and bringing the bill to a vote in the House as soon as possible. This legislation is vital, and is a top priority for me and my family.

3. Visit House members in their district offices.

Get an appointment, drop by their office, and definitely leave a note.

Health Care Discrimination Stories Needed for LGBT Health Awareness Week: March 28- April 3

Help Lambda Legal (and the rest of the gay community) observe LGBT Health Awareness Week - sponsored by the National LGBT Health Coalition - by sharing your story of health care discrimination.

In Lambda Legal's recent health care survey, more than half of respondents reported experiencing discrimination in health care.

Our real stories that can influence policy-makers and health care providers.

Lambda Legal: Back to court for New Jersey marriage equality

On January 7, Lambda Legal announced plans to return to court after the New Jersey Senate failed to pass a marriage bill, effectively ending any hope for further action this session.

Lambda Legal's historic marriage case, Lewis v. Harris, resulted in victory in 2006 when the New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of equality for same-sex couples. But the court directed the legislature to address the inequality—leading to New Jersey's hastily passed civil union law.

In December 2008 the NJ Civil Union Review Commission, appointed by the legislature, issued a report documenting how civil unions are a failure that fall short of the court-mandated equal treatment of same-sex couples. The report fed advocacy for the marriage equality legislation that was ultimately voted down in January.

"We will go back to the courts in New Jersey to fight for equality. Too many families are at risk. We cannot wait any longer," said Lambda Legal Executive Director Kevin Cathcart.

In the matter of Naughty vs. Nice ...

Your year-end donations will keep Lambda Legal on the frontline in the fight for full recognition of the civil rights of LGBT people and those with HIV in 2010 and beyond. The gift you make today will keep next year’s Naughty List as short as possible.

Lambda Legal successfully defends marriage equality in New York

Yesterday the New York Court of Appeals — New York’s highest court — unanimously ruled in Lambda Legal’s Lewis and Spano cases that New York State agencies were within their rights to grant benefits to same-sex spouses in out-of-state marriages.

According to the majority opinion, these agencies already extend benefits to domestic partners and did not abuse their discretion in extending the benefits to married same-sex spouses; the concurring judges would have gone even further to rule that the marriages are entitled to legal respect in New York.

Lewis and Spano were just 2 of the 4 cases that the well-funded, antigay Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) has brought in New York courts to challenge state recognition of out-of-state marriages between same-sex couples.

In the years the ADF hasn’t convinced a single judge that they’re right — Lambda Legal and equality have prevailed every time. That’s impact.

Meet Lambda Legal

Lambda Legal is the voice for LGBT people and those with HIV in the courts — from state trial courts, to the U.S. Supreme Court; the lawyers of Lambda Legal are winning and changing the legal landscape for millions of people for years to come.

Lambda Legal does not charge for their services and they receive no government funding.

The following are just a few examples of current cases taken on by Lambda Legal:

Lambda Legal has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of retired minister Robert Franke who was thrown out of his assisted living facility because he has HIV.

In June the organization was cleared to proceed with a lawsuit against the Georgia General Assembly on behalf of Vandy Beth Glenn who was fired from her position with the Assembly when she announced her planned transition from male to female.

Lambda Legal depends on financial support from the gay community and you can join today by clicking here.

Florida decision spotlights vulnerability of gay couples

A Florida court has dismissed Lambda Legal's lawsuit filed against Jackson Memorial Hospital in 2008 on behalf of Janice Langbehn, the Estate of Lisa Pond and their three adopted children.

In February 2007, the family was tragically kept apart by hospital staff for eight hours as Pond's condition deteriorated and she died. Surviving partner Janice Langbehn was told that she was in an antigay city and state and that she could expect to receive no information or acknowledgment as family.

Staff Attorney Beth Littrell says, “The court’s decision paints a tragically stark picture of how vulnerable same-sex couples and their families are during times of crisis.”

Lambda Legal has until October 16 to review the ruling with the family and consider all legal options.

Read more about this tragic case at Lambda Legal's website.

Lambda Legal - 440 miles for equality

Tomorrow, July 19, 11 brave and fit Lambda Legal staffers and supporters begin the 440-mile, 6-day, RAGBRAI Bike Ride through Iowa. Carrying a message of equality all across the state (and hopefully some water too) — and celebrating Lambda Legal’s marriage equality victory in the Iowa Supreme Court.

Keep them pedaling and keep Lambda Legal ahead of the pack in the race for true equality across the country by showing your support with a small donation.

Making a Federal case out of Prop. 8

Lambda Legal, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the American Civil Liberties Union have filed briefs in support of a federal lawsuit that seeks to overturn California's Proposition 8 constitutional marriage ban. The suit, whose plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies, will have its first day in court on Thursday, when U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker will hear arguments on whether to issue an injunction against the enforcement of the voter-approved ban.

If nothing else, the fight against Prop. 8 has galvanized the LGBT community in a way that I don't think I've seen since the early days of the fight against HIV/AIDS. Below check out my footage from Denver's Anti-Prop. 8 rally. I'd say it was the biggest turnout I've seen in Denver for a non-PrideFest related LGBT event.

How we won Iowa

With Lambda Legal’s recent Iowa marriage victory in Varnum v. Brien, all eyes turn to the nation’s heartland. Camilla Taylor, senior staff attorney and architect of the case, joined the Diane Rehm Show and NPR's Fresh Air to discuss the strategy that led to the April 3 Iowa Supreme Court decision. Listen to the National Public Radio broadcasts and read this article and more in Lambda Legal’s “In the News.”

Protect gay marriage in Iowa

Just this week, same–sex couples in Iowa began to be married thanks to a groundbreaking unanimous victory decided just four weeks ago today. Lambda Legal has been working hand–in–hand with One Iowa, the state's largest LGBT advocacy group, for the last four years on public education efforts to ensure that Iowans understand that same–sex couples in the state want and need the respect, dignity, benefits and responsibilities that only marriage provides.

Our friends in Iowa have faced a well–funded and concerted effort to undermine the court's decision. One Iowa started broadcasting a great television ad last week as part of an extensive public education plan to protect the freedom to marry from extremists who would want to strip these freedoms from the state Constitution.

The ad — "This Place" seen below — features Iowa scenes and Iowa families, and speaks to the traditional Iowa values of freedom and fairness. It is just one part of One Iowa's excellent work to help preserve our marriage equality victory. On Sunday, thanks to One Iowa's efforts, the state legislature ended its 2009 session without approving a constitutional amendment to ban marriage equality or without other legislation designed to undermine the historic decision.

The GLBT community needs to help to keep this ad on the air and protect marriage equality in the heartland. Contribute what you can to One Iowa to help protect the freedom to marry and continue progress across the country.

Today you can get a marriage license in Iowa

Today is the first day that same-sex marriage license are being issued in Iowa. So romantic!

Lambda Legal Help Desk: Can gay high school couples attend prom?

Lambda Legal runs a great feature called Lambda Legal Help Desk on their website that addresses questions from readers about various legal issues of interest to the GLBT community. Here's a recent one from a high school senior:

Q: I am a 17–year–old senior at a public high school. I recently came out to my parents and family, and told them that I have been secretly dating a classmate they thought was my best friend. To my surprise, my family was very accepting and supportive of my relationship. My school’s prom is next month and my boyfriend and I would really like to go together. The principal has told us that he prefers we not attend together, but if we do, we can only go as “friends.” He also said that we will not be allowed to hold hands or dance with each other. Is there anything we can do to get the administration to let us go to our prom as a couple and act like all of the other students at prom?

A: The good news is that, as a public school student, you have the right to express yourself. That includes the right to express your identity and the right to enjoy the prom like any other couple attending. The school should not be enforcing a “no dancing” rule against only you and your date. Your parents are your allies. Consider asking them to talk to the principal with you. Document your efforts in writing (and request a written response). See our sample demand letter for help. If the principal continues to refuse to allow you to attend the prom as a couple, contact Lambda Legal’s Help Desk or a local attorney. We help many students win fairness in school, including at prom. You can also find more information about your rights to attend prom by reading 'Lambda Legal’s Prom Season: What LGBTQ Youth Need to Know'.

Equality on a winning streak!

From Lambda Legal:

Four days after Lambda Legal's unanimous marriage equality victory in Iowa, the Vermont legislature has overridden the Governor's veto, making marriage for same-sex couples legal in that state too. Not long after, the Washington, D.C. Council voted 12-0 to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples performed in other states.

This is a week to remember — the week that marriage equality in our country turned a critical corner.

The historic vote in Vermont makes it the first state where a legislative body successfully enacted a marriage equality law. After ten years of experience with civil unions, the people and elected officials there realized that second-class status for same-sex couples is not right. We congratulate the courageous Vermont legislators for doing the right thing. We also congratulate the advocates who have worked tirelessly for equality in Vermont, especially our colleagues at Vermont Freedom to Marry. And we remember the lawsuit that set the stage when Boston-based GLAD won a historic victory in 1999 in Baker v. Vermont that opened the door to the marriage equality finally achieved today.

Equality is on a winning streak — two states in four days and recognition in D.C.! And legislatures in New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maine and New York may pass marriage equality bills soon.

National LGBT Health Awareness Week

This week is the 7th annual National LGBT Health Awareness Week sponsored by the National Coalition for LGBT Health. Commemorate the week with Lambda Legal by becoming a Partner for Health Care Fairness and help to call on President Obama and the new administration to ensure that fairness to LGBT people and people living with HIV is prioritized in our nation's health care system.

Lambda Legal receives hundreds of calls every year from LGBT people and people with HIV who face discrimination from health care providers and facilities. And through their cases and Help Desk Lambda Legal helps them fight back when they are unlawfully discriminated against in health care settings.

Just last year Lambda Legal won a legal victory for Lupita Benitez, a lesbian in California who was denied infertility treatment by doctors who claimed that their religious beliefs gave them the right to ignore discrimination laws. Lambda Legal is also seeking justice for Janice Langbehn and her children, because a hospital in Miami refused to recognize her and her children as family and prevented her from visiting her partner as she lay dying. And Lambda Legal representing Dennis Barros in his fight against a Florida fertility clinic that refused to provide medical care to him because he is gay.

These are just a few stories behind the many lawsuits Lambda Legal has filed over the years while fighting for health care fairness for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and those living with HIV. President Obama made health care reform a priority, but it is up to us to ensure that protections for LGBT people and people with HIV are a part of that agenda. That's why Lambda Legal is leading a Health Care Fairness Campaign.

Sign this petition to President Obama and encourage everyone you know to do the same. Health care reform is being debated now. Make sure your voice is heard.

Lambda Legal update on Prop. 8 arguments

Today another historic argument will be made before the state Supreme Court in California to protect the constitutional guarantee of equal protection for all and to fight to restore marriage equality. Lambda Legal, NCLR, the ACLU and others have been working for months to prepare for today's oral argument in our historic case against Prop 8. And now you can be among the first to know what happened in the courtroom.

At 3 pm PST (6 pm EST), Lambda Legal's National Marriage Project Director Jenny Pizer and our Legal Director Jon Davidson will discuss the latest developments in the Strauss v. Horton case. If you're interested in watching the argument, Lambda Legal has learned that it will be aired on California's Public Access TV and streamed online here.

Upholding the California Constitution's promise to protect the rights of minorities is important for all Americans. In January, hundreds of religious organizations, civil rights groups and labor unions, and dozens of California municipal governments, bar associations and leading legal scholars agreed that the rights of all vulnerable minorities are at stake as they collectively urged the California Supreme Court to strike down Prop 8. The California Attorney General has also argued that Prop 8 is invalid.

Take this final opportunity to join Lambda Legal and receive instructions on how to sign up for today’s conference call. Join the fight as Lambda Legal discusses the justices’ questions and what may come next in this fight to uphold the constitution and our equal freedom to marry in California!