National Center For Lesbian Rights

Last-minute amendment to immigration bill would protect same-gender couples

SDGLN Staff
June 12th, 2013

WASHINGTON -- A last-minute amendment tacked onto the comprehensive immigration-reform bill would provide equal rights to same-gender binational couples, and the nation's leading LGBT advocacy groups are praising Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) for his efforts.

“Seeking equal protection under our laws for the LGBT community is the right thing to do,” Leahy said in a statement Tuesday. “I withheld my anti-discrimination amendment during the Senate Judiciary Committee markup. As the entire Senate turns to debate the immigration bill, the fight for equality must go on.”

NCLR celebrates 36 years of legal victories

SDGLN Staff
May 20th, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO — More than 1,500 people gathered Saturday for the National Center for Lesbian Rights’ 36th Anniversary Celebration and to recognize LGBT movement heroes who are changing the legal landscape for every member of our diverse community.

Lambda Legal urges Ninth Circuit to uphold law banning "ex-gay" therapy for California minors

SDGLN Staff
February 5th, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO -- - Lambda Legal, representing 12 regional and national organizations working with LGBT youth, filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today urging the court to uphold the California law prohibiting state-licensed mental health providers from using dangerous efforts to change sexual orientation - sometimes referred to as "ex-gay therapy" - with minors.

Featured Listing

Did your favorite group make list of best nonprofits fighting for LGBT equality?

Ken Williams - SDGLN Editor in Chief
December 27th, 2012

Lambda Legal has been selected by GuideStar USA’s Philanthropedia as the top-ranked nonprofit group standing up for LGBT equality.

Experts working in the LGBT sector were asked to recommend up to four nonprofits making significant contributions in LGBT equality and support on the national level and up to three nonprofits making a significant contribution at the state and local levels.

House resolution would protect LGBT youth from "ex-gay" therapy

SDGLN Staff
November 28th, 2012

WASHINGTON -- Congresswoman Jackie Speier today introduced the landmark “Stop Harming Our Kids” resolution, which calls on states to protect LGBT youth from dangerous and discredited practices by mental health professionals who falsely claim to be able to change their sexual orientation or gender identity.

These practices have been rejected as ineffective and harmful by every leading medical and mental health organization in the country.

Equality California names new executive director

SDGLN Staff
October 24th, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO -- John O’Connor, a seasoned nonprofit executive with deep ties in the LGBT community, today was named the new executive director of Equality California and Equality California Institute.

O’Connor will begin his tenure on Monday, Dec. 3.

"I am honored to lead Equality California forward as the statewide voice on LGBT equality. The message will be that we are for full equality and nothing less," said O’Connor, who currently serves as the executive director of the LGBT Community Center of the Desert.

EQCA and NCLR move to defend law protecting LGBT youth from reparative therapy

SDGLN Staff
October 20th, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO -- Late Friday, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and the law firm of Munger, Tolles & Olson filed court papers seeking to intervene in a federal lawsuit challenging the new California law protecting LGBT young people from dangerous and potentially deadly psychological abuse.

New California law ensures equal access to fertility services for same-sex couples

SDGLN Staff
October 1st, 2012

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California Gov. Jerry Brown over the weekend signed a bill to ensure that women in same-sex relationships and single women can access fertility services on the same terms as women in different-sex relationships.

Assembly Bill 2356, authored by Assemblymember Nancy Skinner and co-sponsored by Equality California and the National Center for Lesbian Rights, allows women using known donors to access certain fertility procedures that are less expensive and more effective.

California governor vetoes bill to protect children with more than two parents

SDGLN Staff
October 1st, 2012

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California Gov. Jerry Brown over the weekend vetoed a bill that would have protected children who have more than two parents.

In his veto message, Governor Brown explained that he was sympathetic to the need to protect children in these families but wanted more time to consider the issue. Authored by state Sen. Mark Leno, Senate Bill 1476 was co-sponsored by the National Center for Lesbian Rights and Children’s Advocacy Institute and the University of San Diego School of Law.

CALIFORNIA BANS 'EX-GAY' THERAPY

SDGLN Staff
September 30th, 2012

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California Gov. Jerry Brown made history late Saturday night by signing a landmark bill that will protect LGBT youth from psychological abuse by deceitful mental health professionals who falsely claim to be able to change their sexual orientation or gender expression.