On 25th Anniversary of Beijing World Conference American Women Face Regression

The United States is at great risk of regression – not only for women, girls, LGBTQI and minorities, but also as the world leader that should be helming the very progress we now are in the midst of destroying.   Today marks the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women (FWCW), which took … More On 25th Anniversary of Beijing World Conference American Women Face Regression

Know Your Transgender Rights During COVID-19 Pandemic

In times of crisis, transgender and non-binary people among other communities are often at higher risk of violence and discrimination. The COVID-19 pandemic presents a series of unique challenges that may have long-term impact on transgender people and their families. Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) has prepared Know Your Rights guide for transgender and non-binary … More Know Your Transgender Rights During COVID-19 Pandemic

Mourning the Passing of First Openly Lesbian Federal Judge

Federal District Judge Deborah A Batts, the first openly lesbian federal judge when she was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York by President Bill Clinton in in 1994, died Sunday at the age of 72. She was currently overseeing a case against celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti over allegations … More Mourning the Passing of First Openly Lesbian Federal Judge

Lawsuit against Steuben County alleges Jail Violates Rights of Transgender People 

BATH, NY – The New York Civil Liberties Union, Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, and the law firm BakerHostetler filed a lawsuit yesterday against Steuben County, the Steuben County Sheriff, and several officials and employees at the Steuben County Jail on behalf of a transgender woman whom jail officials housed in a men’s facility … More Lawsuit against Steuben County alleges Jail Violates Rights of Transgender People 

Planned Raids – Helping Immigrant Communities – What You Can Do

After postponing last month’s planned immigration sweep, the Trump Administration is now preparing to launch a series of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across major U.S. cities including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco. These raids, which are scheduled to commence on Sunday, will harm … More Planned Raids – Helping Immigrant Communities – What You Can Do

Challenging the Trump Administration’s Arbitrary Detention of Asylum Seekers

Washington, D.C. (March 15, 2018) – The American Civil Liberties Union, Center for Gender and Refugee Studies, Human Rights First, and Covington & Burling LLP filed a federal lawsuit today challenging the Trump administration’s arbitrary detention of asylum seekers fleeing persecution, torture, or death in their countries of origin. All the plaintiffs have passed credible fear screenings — … More Challenging the Trump Administration’s Arbitrary Detention of Asylum Seekers

DOJ and EEOC Rare Opposition in Gay Discrimination Case at 2nd Circuit 

Tuesday: DOJ and EEOC to Oppose Each Other in Gay Discrimination Case at 2nd Circuit  – The en banc 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals will reconsider longstanding legal precedent concerning employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, while the federal government is a house divided NEW YORK CITY – This week, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in NYC will hear … More DOJ and EEOC Rare Opposition in Gay Discrimination Case at 2nd Circuit 

Jewish Lesbian Mom Regains Custody of Children

By Melanie Nathan, A Court reinstated custody to an ultra religious Jewish mother in Brooklyn, New York, The parent, an ex member of Hassidic Judaism, lost custody of her three children after coming out as a lesbian and finally regained her custody after more than two years of appeals. The Appeals Court ordered that Chavie … More Jewish Lesbian Mom Regains Custody of Children

NY State Department of Corrections called out on Abuse of Transgender Woman

Transgender Legal Calls on New York State Department of Corrections to Immediately Address Reports of Abuse Targeting a Transgender Woman at the Franklin Correctional Facility in Malone, New York New York, NY- Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund is deeply disturbed by reports that Eyricka King, a transgender woman being held at the Franklin Correctional … More NY State Department of Corrections called out on Abuse of Transgender Woman

LGBTQI Documentary to Premiere at Soho International Film Festival.

On its road to acclaim, the new LGBTQI documentary, Between the Shades, has been given a weekend block to premier at The Soho International Film Festival. The film, premiering at the New York venue on June 17th, examines the immense power of labels and the transcendence of love, while putting faces to the letters that … More LGBTQI Documentary to Premiere at Soho International Film Festival.

Village Voice Partners with NYC Pride to Launch Awards

 ‘THE VILLAGE VOICE PRIDE AWARDS’  The Village Voice Pride Awards to honor LGBTQ local and global heroes contributing to the community’s growth, at VIP gala, June 21 New York, NY—May 3, 2017—The Village Voice announced today the launch of ‘The Village Voice Pride Awards,’ which recognizes local and global heroes in the LGBTQ movement. The … More Village Voice Partners with NYC Pride to Launch Awards

Anti-LGBTI Hate Bus Hits Streets of New York

The so-called FreeSpeechBus, is currently spreading its hateful message through the streets of New York City. The organizers behind the bus include the notoriously anti-LGBTI groups International Organization for the Family and National Organization for Marriage. The bright orange bus is covered in the message, “It’s Biology: Boys are boys…and always will be. Girls are … More Anti-LGBTI Hate Bus Hits Streets of New York

Callen-Lorde and Edie Windsor to Dedicate the Thea Spyer Center in Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Callen-Lorde and Marriage Equality Champion Edie Windsor to Dedicate the Thea Spyer Center in Ribbon Cutting Ceremony; Facility Housing Callen-Lorde’s Mental Health Program Named in Honor of Late Pioneering Psychologist’s Work Thursday, November 3, 9 AM, Ground-level entrance to the Thea Spyer Center at Callen-Lorde 230 W 17th Street (between 7th and 8th Aves) New … More Callen-Lorde and Edie Windsor to Dedicate the Thea Spyer Center in Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Callen-Lorde Board Elects First Trans Chair

New York, NY- Callen-Lorde Community Health Center’s Board of Directors has elected Laura A. Jacobs Chair of the Board, the organization’s first trans and genderqueer-identified Board Chair in the organization’s history. Jacobs is a psychotherapist in New York City, New Jersey and Westchester, who works with transgender and gender-nonconforming, LGBTQ, and sexual/gender minority populations. Jacobs … More Callen-Lorde Board Elects First Trans Chair

New York Bill to help LGBT, Disability, and Veteran Owned Businesses

LGBT, Disability, and Veteran Owned Businesses to Gain Access with “New York State Supplier Diversity Act” Introduced into NY State Senate with Support of NGLCC Washington, D.C. — The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the business voice of the LGBT community, is excited to announce that New York State Senator Brad Hoylman … More New York Bill to help LGBT, Disability, and Veteran Owned Businesses

Killer of New York Trans Woman Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter

New York, NY – Today as a trial was set to commence, 24-year old James Dixon entered a guilty plea on first and second degree manslaughter and first degree assault charges for the August 17, 2013 killing of Islan Nettles, a 21-year-old African American transgender woman from Harlem. Dixon is charged with punching Islan in … More Killer of New York Trans Woman Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter

Activists to Rally at Court in Trans Murder Case

PLEASE rally to demand  Justice for Transgender murder victim Islan Nettles New York, NY — Everything Transgender in NYC (ETNYC) is calling on advocates and activists for transgender justice and allies in the greater New York City area to rally at the courthouse for Islan Nettles, tomorrow, Thursday March 31, 2016 at 9 a.m. Last year … More Activists to Rally at Court in Trans Murder Case

Trans Woman’s Confessed Killer Refuses Plea Deal

New York- The man accused of fatally beating Islan Nettles, a 21 year old transgender woman, turned down a plea deal today in a Manhattan criminal court, and will now face a jury trial scheduled for March 30, 2016. Judge Robert Stolz offered James Dixon only 12 years behind bars in exchange for pleading guilty … More Trans Woman’s Confessed Killer Refuses Plea Deal

Condemnation for New York State Senator’s Criticism of Transgender Rights

TLDEF Condemns New York Senate Majority Leader’s Disingenuous Criticism of Transgender Rights Regulations Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 02, 2015. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) responded to comments made by New York Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan suggesting that Governor Andrew Cuomo went beyond his authority by proposing new … More Condemnation for New York State Senator’s Criticism of Transgender Rights

New Federal Funding to Serve Homeless LGBTQ Youth in NYC

Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 07, 2015. Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), and the Ali Forney Center (AFC) announced three new federal grants to help continue AFC’s important work serving homeless youth in New York City, an estimated 40% of which identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ). Combined, the more than $1 million … More New Federal Funding to Serve Homeless LGBTQ Youth in NYC

New York LGBT Newfest Film Festival Announces Lineup

The festival is in partnership with Outfest, and presented by HBO – Runs October 22-27 Posted by Melanie Nathan, September 21, 2015. New York, NY (September 21, 2015) – NewFest, in partnership with Outfest, today announced the lineup of their 27th annual celebration of the year’s best LGBT films from around the world. The program of nearly 100 … More New York LGBT Newfest Film Festival Announces Lineup

Praise for NY State Education Department Guidelines to protect against Transgender Discrimination

TLDEF Applauds New York State Education Department for New Guidance Designed to Protect Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students from Discrimination Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 21, 2015. New York, NY –The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) commends the New York State Education Department for releasing comprehensive guidance to help ensure that transgender and … More Praise for NY State Education Department Guidelines to protect against Transgender Discrimination

Landmark SCOTUS Case Confirms Equal Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in All U.S. States

America Has Marriage for All | History Made in Landmark SCOTUS Decision Melanie Nathan, June 26, 2015 There is no union more profound than marriage and now the Supreme Court of the United States of America  has ruled that every single person in the USA have an equal right to marriage! This morning at 10.00 … More Landmark SCOTUS Case Confirms Equal Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in All U.S. States

TLDEF Denounces New York State Senate’s Failure to Pass Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA)

Posted by Melanie Nathan, June 25, 2015. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) denounces the New York State Senate’s failure to pass the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act. The bill would have added transgender people to New York’s hate crimes law and protected them from discrimination in employment, housing and … More TLDEF Denounces New York State Senate’s Failure to Pass Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA)

New York Attorney General Launches Transgender Medical Care Initiative

TLDEF Applauds New York Attorney General on Initiative to Ensure Equal Access to Medical Care for Transgender People By Melanie Nathan, May 18, 2015. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund commends New York Attorney General General Eric T. Schneiderman for launching a new initiative to ensure that transgender New Yorkers have equal … More New York Attorney General Launches Transgender Medical Care Initiative