Lawsuit Against Trump Admin’s Horrific Rule Removing the ACA Non-Discrimination Protections during Pandemic

TLDEF, TLC, NWLC, Harvard CHLPI, and Firm Hogan Lovells File Lawsuit Against Trump Administration’s Rule Removing ACA’s Non-Discrimination Protections Today, the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF), the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), Transgender Law Center (TLC), the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation (CHLPI) of Harvard Law School, and law firm Hogan Lovells filed … More Lawsuit Against Trump Admin’s Horrific Rule Removing the ACA Non-Discrimination Protections during Pandemic

With Landmark Supreme Court Victory LGBTQI Groups Reflect on Future

In an historic 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) ruled that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis sex, also protects employees from discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Today’s decisions confirm workplace anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people across the … More With Landmark Supreme Court Victory LGBTQI Groups Reflect on Future

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

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 

Coalition Fight the Illegality of Healthcare Discrimination against LGBTQI People

Fighting HHS: Health Care Discrimination Against LGBT People is Illegal – The first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, and allies participated in a broad coalition of organizations by submitting more than 132,400 comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), urging the federal government to … More Coalition Fight the Illegality of Healthcare Discrimination against LGBTQI People

Over 30 Organizations File Amicus Brief in Support of Worker Who Was Fired for Being Transgender

More than 30 Transgender and Ally Organizations File Amicus Brief in Support of Worker Who Was Fired for Being Transgender Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) today filed a “friend of the court” brief with 33 other signatories in support of Aimee Stephens in her case before the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2013, a Michigan funeral … More Over 30 Organizations File Amicus Brief in Support of Worker Who Was Fired for Being Transgender

TLDEF and Pro Bono Partner Lawyers Support Transgender Americans Letter

New York, NY –  TLDEF and pro bono partner attorneys respond to anti-transgender Trump Administration memo…  “As law firms, attorneys and advocates, we proudly support human rights and human dignity for all transgender and gender nonbinary Americans. We are deeply troubled by the leaked Department of Health and Human Services memo proposing a discriminatory definition … More TLDEF and Pro Bono Partner Lawyers Support Transgender Americans Letter

Trans Icon Our Lady J to Host TLDEF Transgender Advocacy Awards

June 1, 2018 – Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund is pleased to announce Our Lady J as the host of this year’s Transgender Advocacy Awards, set for Tuesday, June 12, (6:30 – 8:30 PM) at the Manhattan Penthouse in New York City. Our Lady J is a writer and producer on Ryan Murphy’s dance-musical … More Trans Icon Our Lady J to Host TLDEF Transgender Advocacy Awards

TLDEF Applauds Decision in Gavin Grimm Case; Federal Judge Rules Transgender Students are Protected Under Title IX and the U.S. Constitution

TLDEF Applauds Decision in Gavin Grimm Case; Federal Judge Rules Transgender Students are Protected Under Title IX and the U.S. Constitution Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund praises a decision this week by a federal judge in Virginia who ruled that transgender students are protected by the prohibitions against sex discrimination in Title IX, as well … More TLDEF Applauds Decision in Gavin Grimm Case; Federal Judge Rules Transgender Students are Protected Under Title IX and the U.S. Constitution

TLDEF Applauds Oklahoma Jury’s Verdict in Favor of Wrongfully Fired English Professor

New York, NY – Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund applauds an Oklahoma jury’s verdict today in favor of an English professor who was fired from from her teaching job on the basis of her sex. Dr. Rachel Tudor was denied tenure and terminated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma in 2011 after she … More TLDEF Applauds Oklahoma Jury’s Verdict in Favor of Wrongfully Fired English Professor

Walmart Corporate Equality Index Rating Suspended

By Human Rights Campaign Based on TLDEF’s Anti-Discrimination Cases Based on two successful proceedings brought by the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Walmart’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI) rating has been suspended by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). The CEI is a rating of LGBT equality at corporations … More Walmart Corporate Equality Index Rating Suspended

TLDEF Applauds Federal Court Blocking Enforcement of Trump Admin’s Transgender Military Ban

New York, NY- Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund applauds news that a federal court in the District of Columbia has blocked enforcement of the Trump Administration’s transgender military ban. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly issued a preliminary injunction today. Earlier this month TLDEF filed an amicus or “friend of the court” brief with the federal court in Washington, D.C. … More TLDEF Applauds Federal Court Blocking Enforcement of Trump Admin’s Transgender Military Ban

TLDEF Files Brief Supporting Transgender Servicemembers’ Challenge to Trump Military Ban

TLDEF Files Brief in Support of Transgender Servicemembers Challenging Trump Administration’s Military Ban New York, NY- Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund has filed an amicus or “friend of the court” brief with the United States federal court in Washington, D.C. in support of transgender troops who are challenging the ban on open transgender military service. Last July, … More TLDEF Files Brief Supporting Transgender Servicemembers’ Challenge to Trump Military Ban

TLDEF Condemns Action by AG Sessions to Rescind Workplace Protections for Transgender Americans

New York, NY- Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund today denounces the Trump Administration’s Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ decision to roll back a federal policy recognizing trans protections. The policy, announced in a 2014 Department of Justice memo during the Obama Administration, recognized that transgender employees are protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights … More TLDEF Condemns Action by AG Sessions to Rescind Workplace Protections for Transgender Americans

Victory as EEOC Finds Evidence of Job Discrimination by Walmart in Transgender Case

Victory! EEOC Finds Evidence of Job Discrimination by Walmart Against TLDEF Client in North Carolina New York, NY – Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund has secured a victory before the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) on behalf of a transgender woman who endured employment discrimination at a Sam’s Club store in Kannapolis, … More Victory as EEOC Finds Evidence of Job Discrimination by Walmart in Transgender Case

Reported Ban on Transgender Military Health Care and Deployment Condemned

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund Condemns Reported Ban on Transgender Military Health Care and Deployment New York, NY – Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund today responded to reports that the White House is forwarding guidance to military officials that directs Defense Secretary James Mattis to implement policy within six months to cease all … More Reported Ban on Transgender Military Health Care and Deployment Condemned

TLDEF Files Federal Lawsuit Against Amazon in Transgender Harassment Case

TLDEF Files Federal Lawsuit Against Amazon for Relentless Harassment of Transgender Woman and Her Husband at its Kentucky Shipping Facility Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund today filed a federal lawsuit against Amazon on behalf of a married couple who faced cruel and persistent discrimination at an Amazon shipping facility in Hebron, Kentucky. Allegra Schawe-Lane … More TLDEF Files Federal Lawsuit Against Amazon in Transgender Harassment Case

Legal Victory Against Walmart Sam’s Club – Transgender Workplace Discrimination

TLDEF Wins Legal Victory Against Workplace Discrimination: Walmart Discriminated Against Transgender Employee Says EEOC New York, NY- A U.S. government commission has ruled in favor of Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund and its client, Jessica Shyne Robison, in her battle against workplace discrimination by Walmart subsidiary, Sam’s Club East, Inc. Ms. Robison faced bigotry … More Legal Victory Against Walmart Sam’s Club – Transgender Workplace Discrimination

TLDEF to Honor New York Governor Andrew Cuomo at 12th Annual Freedom Awards

  New York, NY- Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund will honor New York Governor Andrew Cuomo at its 12th annual Freedom Awards. The event is set for Thursday, June 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at Manhattan Penthouse. The Freedom Awards is TLDEF’s signature cocktail event that brings together 300 guests to celebrate the … More TLDEF to Honor New York Governor Andrew Cuomo at 12th Annual Freedom Awards

TLDEF Commemorates Transgender Day of Visibility

New York, NY – Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund joins millions throughout the world in celebrating the Transgender Day of Visibility. Transgender Michigan Executive Director Rachel Crandall started TDOV in 2010 “to bring attention to the accomplishments of trans people around the globe while fighting cissexism and transphobia by spreading knowledge of the trans … More TLDEF Commemorates Transgender Day of Visibility

TLDEF Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Send Gavin Grimm’s Case Back to Fourth Circuit

New York, NY- Today, Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund responded to news that the United States Supreme Court has sent the case of Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board back to the Fourth US Circuit Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court also vacated the Fourth Circuit’s previous decision in favor of Gavin Grimm. Grimm … More TLDEF Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Send Gavin Grimm’s Case Back to Fourth Circuit

Transgender Americans Voice Support for Gavin Grimm as His Landmark Title IX Discrimination Case Heads to The Supreme Court

TLDEF Brief Spotlights Positive Contributions of Transgender Americans and Harms of Denying them Basic Freedoms that Allow Full Participation in Society New York, NY- Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund has filed a friend-of-the court brief with the United States Supreme Court in support of Gavin Grimm. Grimm is a transgender 17-year-old from Virginia who is challenging the … More Transgender Americans Voice Support for Gavin Grimm as His Landmark Title IX Discrimination Case Heads to The Supreme Court

TLDEF Statement Regarding Removal of Federal Guidance That Protects Transgender Children

February 23, 2017 – The Trump Administration has withdrawn two letters providing guidance to schools across the nation about transgender student protections under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Guidance was put in place by the Obama Administration in May of 2016 to clarify legal protections previously in place to shield transgender students … More TLDEF Statement Regarding Removal of Federal Guidance That Protects Transgender Children

California LGBT Caucus Chair Comments on Trump Admin Reversal of Transgender Protections

School Districts Must Still Comply or Risk Being Sued SACRAMENTO—Chair of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus, Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley) released the following statement regarding the Trump Administration’s recent reversal of transgender bathroom protections. “President Trump’s unrelenting assault on the LGBT community is shameful. This latest directive singles out transgender youth and proves that … More California LGBT Caucus Chair Comments on Trump Admin Reversal of Transgender Protections

Name Change Victory for Transgender Man in New York

New York, NY- Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund announces a name change victory for a transgender man in New York. A state appeals court has granted a legal name change for Ben Stanford, reversing a lower court decision that initially denied his name change petition because he declined to share “medical evidence” of his … More Name Change Victory for Transgender Man in New York

TLDEF to Host 2016 Freedom Awards

New York, NY- Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund is set to host the 2016 Freedom Awards, commemorating 11-years of transgender advocacy. This year TLDEF honors U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, whose unwavering support and leadership at the Department of Justice has helped advance transgender rights. TLDEF will also honor HBO for its work on … More TLDEF to Host 2016 Freedom Awards

TLDEF Files Brief in Mother’s Lawsuit Against Employer Denying Son Transition Related Health Care

New York, NY—Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) has filed a friend of the court brief with the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in support of a Minnesota mother fighting for health coverage for her teenage transgender son. Brittany Tovar sued her employer (Essentia Health) and her health plan administrator … More TLDEF Files Brief in Mother’s Lawsuit Against Employer Denying Son Transition Related Health Care

Federal Judge Halts Nationwide Protections for Transgender Students

New York, NY – Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund responded to news that U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor of Texas had issued an injunction against a federal directive protecting transgender students in schools across the nation. In May, the U.S. Education and Justice Departments sent a letter and guidance to every school district in the U.S. reminding them … More Federal Judge Halts Nationwide Protections for Transgender Students

TLDEF Denounces Federal Court Ruling in Michigan Funeral Home Case

 TLDEF Denounces Federal Court Ruling in Favor of Michigan Funeral Home that Fired Employee for Being Transgender New York, NY- Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) condemns a federal court ruling in favor of a Garden City, Michigan funeral home that fired an employee for being transgender. The court ruled that the funeral home … More TLDEF Denounces Federal Court Ruling in Michigan Funeral Home Case

Pentagon Ends Discriminatory Ban on Open Transgender Military Service

New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) today joins advocates across the nation in praising the U.S. Department of Defense for lifting the ban on open transgender military service once and for all. “Effective immediately, service members may no longer be involuntarily separated, discharged or denied reenlistment solely on the … More Pentagon Ends Discriminatory Ban on Open Transgender Military Service