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

Anti-Gay Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa Insults Host Country Constitution

Anti-gay homophobes from around the world met in South Africa, a country where the constitution specifically includes LGBT equality, issuing a declaration opposing same-sex marriage and families.  According to Mamba Online, The World Congress of Families Regional Conference, which took place last week at The Westin hotel in Cape Town, was hosted by the recently formed International Organization … More Anti-Gay Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa Insults Host Country Constitution

Extra Concern on Trans Day of Remembrance

Today is the annual international Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), dedicated to the memory of those whose lives have been lost because they are transgender. According to Freedom for All Americans,  this year, there are at least 25 reported cases in the U.S. alone of transgender people who have been murdered. Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed … More Extra Concern on Trans Day of Remembrance

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

Shortage of Injectable Estrogen as Public Health Risk

ESTROGEN IN PATCH AND TABLET FORMS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE New York, NY- Callen-Lorde Community Health Center warns of potential public health risk for transgender women and transfeminine people due to a nationwide shortage of some generic and brand name injectable estrogen.  Makers of the drugs have reported manufacturing delays in getting the medications to the market. “During times like these, we want … More Shortage of Injectable Estrogen as Public Health Risk

Breaking: Governor of Massachusetts Signs Transgender Bill Into Law

MA becomes first and only state this year to pass transgender -inclusive protections, including restrooms and locker rooms  BOSTON – Today Governor Charlie Baker, a Republican, signed a transgender public accommodations bill into law making Massachusetts the only state this year to pass a bill updating state law to ensure full protections for transgender people from … More Breaking: Governor of Massachusetts Signs Transgender Bill Into Law

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

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

Two of US Most Anti-LGBT Lawmakers Toppled in Primary Battles

Voters in CO and UT also make history, handing victories to two transgender candidates for Congress    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two of the nation’s most virulently anti-LGBT legislators lost their primary elections on Tuesday night. South Carolina state Senator Lee Bright’s 52-48 loss in a runoff election with former Representative Scott Talley comes after he introduced legislation that … More Two of US Most Anti-LGBT Lawmakers Toppled in Primary Battles

Jackson Mississippi City Council unanimously passes nondiscrimination ordinance

WASHINGTON – In a major victory for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights in Mississippi, the Jackson City Council unanimously voted in favor of an ordinance that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. The ordinance protects LGBT individuals from discrimination in housing, employment and public services. “This ordinance is not only a major … More Jackson Mississippi City Council unanimously passes nondiscrimination ordinance

Navy Secretary Calls on Gays and Lesbian Vets to Have Military Records Corrected

The Pentagon held its fifth annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride ceremony Wednesday. The Washington Examiner reports,  Navy Secretary Ray Mabus called on gay and lesbian veterans who received a less-than-honorable discharge under the old ban on gays serving openly in the military to have their records corrected to reflect they served honorably. … More Navy Secretary Calls on Gays and Lesbian Vets to Have Military Records Corrected

Geneva Panel on Violence Against LGBTI Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Detention

The 32nd Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland from 13 June – 1 July at the United Nations Palais des Nations. This year, following on from a 2014 HRC resolution on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity, the Council will once again consider an initiative … More Geneva Panel on Violence Against LGBTI Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Detention

Bomb Explodes as Anti-Trans Terrorism Hits Target

According to local news outlet WGNTV, a small bomb exploded in the women’s bathroom at a Target store in Evanston, Illinois. This  seems to follow the controversy over Target’ s trans-friendly policy.The news station reports that no-one was harmed in the explosion, which occurred yesterday afternoon. The explosion occurred Wednesday shortly after 4 p.m. at the … More Bomb Explodes as Anti-Trans Terrorism Hits Target

Examining Hawaii and the Protection of Transgender Inmates in Prison

On paper, at least, Hawaii is doing everything right in how it treats transgender inmates in the state’s prison system, according to an article by Rui Kaneya, published in Civil Beat, who asks, whether it is enough. According to the piece, which incorporates great visuals showing from Hawaii: Under the state’s policy, the Hawaii Department … More Examining Hawaii and the Protection of Transgender Inmates in Prison

Tel Aviv Pride Attracts Tens of Thousands of Tourists

Poll Shows Dramatic Increase in Israeli Public Support of LGBT Community Israeli media has reported that 200,000 people attended LGBT Pride festivities as Tel Aviv celebrated its annual Gay Pride Parade on Friday, the largest event of its kind in the Middle East. It is believed that more than 30,000 tourists from around the world, … More Tel Aviv Pride Attracts Tens of Thousands of Tourists

Breaking: Massachusetts Legislature Passes Full Transgender Protections Bill

Republican Governor expected to sign bill that would make MA 18th state with explicit protections for transgender people in public places Today the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed HB 4343, the bill that would update state law to ensure explicit protections for transgender people in public places, including parks, restaurants, hospitals, and public restrooms. The bill also passed the Senate … More Breaking: Massachusetts Legislature Passes Full Transgender Protections Bill

LGBT Censorship by South African Broadcaster Complicit in Nigerian Bigotry

“To succumb to Nigeria’s draconian demands is to be complicit in prejudice and bigotry…….  dragging South Africa back into the darkest pit of Apartheid.  “  Melanie Nathan, In what appears to be a breach of South Africa’s all inclusive equality based Constitution, South African broadcaster, MultiChoice, a leading video entertainment and internet company, operating under … More LGBT Censorship by South African Broadcaster Complicit in Nigerian Bigotry

Oklahoma legislature adjourns without adopting bill targeting transgender students

The Republican controlled Oklahoma Legislature adjourned Friday without passing proposed legislation targeting transgender children. If signed into law, Senate Bill 1619 would have legalized discrimination against transgender children who need to use the restroom at school.  The measure would have also required schools to create separate facilities for any student who refuses to share a … More Oklahoma legislature adjourns without adopting bill targeting transgender students

Challenges for Transgender Youth and Masquerading Orgs

Revealing the Transphobic Organizations Fighting Trans and LGBT Freedom while Masquerading as Safety and Privacy Groups The organization Freedom for All Americans provides this report: Background on the Department of Education’s Recent Guidance re: Title IX and Gender Identity Earlier this month, the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice issued a letter outlining what a … More Challenges for Transgender Youth and Masquerading Orgs

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund Applauds New Health Care Regulations and Schools Directive

Obama Administration extends nondiscrimination protections to transgender individuals seeking health care and directs schools to allow transgender students to use appropriate bathrooms. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) applauds the new regulations prohibiting health care discrimination against transgender people across the United States. Adopted today by the U.S. Department … More Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund Applauds New Health Care Regulations and Schools Directive

Breaking: Justice Department Says HB 2 Violates Federal Law

North Carolina one step closer to losing nearly $1 billion in federal funding over anti-transgender law WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Justice notified North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory this afternoon that HB 2, the state’s discriminatory anti-transgender law, violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as well as Title IX. Federal officials have given … More Breaking: Justice Department Says HB 2 Violates Federal Law

N.C. Gov. McCrory Continues to Misrepresent HB 2 with ‘Meet the Press’ Appearance

North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory continues to misrepresent the animus behind the state’s discriminatory anti-transgender law, HB 2, with an appearance on ‘Meet the Press’ this morning. In the interview, McCrory attempted to create cover for himself from the increasing economic fallout directly tied to HB 2 by falsely claiming that other states have similar … More N.C. Gov. McCrory Continues to Misrepresent HB 2 with ‘Meet the Press’ Appearance

Rainbow Outhouse Delivered to NC’s Tallest Mountain with a Letter to Anti-Trans Gov. McCrory

“North Carolina’s highest point is an outhouse; a fitting symbol for a state that has sullied itself with shitty, repressive legislation”  – Neal Gottlieb. Today a Californian adventurer and entrepreneur, who is on the current season of the CBS TV show Survivor, delivered a symbolic message and a letter to North Carolina’s Governor McCrory, protesting … More Rainbow Outhouse Delivered to NC’s Tallest Mountain with a Letter to Anti-Trans Gov. McCrory

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant Signs Anti-LGBT Legislation

 TLDEF Condemns Sweeping New Discriminatory Law in Mississippi New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) responded to news that Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant has signed anti-LGBT House Bill 1523 into law today. The Mississippi Legislature passed the bill in a final vote yesterday. The measure allows individuals, religious organizations, and many businesses … More Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant Signs Anti-LGBT Legislation

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

TLDEF Celebrates Transgender Day of Visibility

New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) today stands with advocates throughout the world in celebrating the Transgender Day of Visibility, a day set aside to amplify the accomplishments of transgender people globally. Statement from TLDEF Executive Director Michael Silverman: “On this Transgender Day of Visibility, we are proud to … More TLDEF Celebrates Transgender Day of Visibility

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

TLDEF Responds to Report of Sexual Assault at Stonewall Inn

Police looking for Information regarding the report of  a Sexual Assault Against Transgender Woman at Stonewall Inn New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) responded to news reports that a 25-year-old transgender woman was sexually assaulted last Saturday night in a single-occupancy bathroom at the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan’s West Village. The … More TLDEF Responds to Report of Sexual Assault at Stonewall Inn