Many low-income lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs) face particular challenges due to discrimination and prejudice. LSNYC fights landlords who refuse to rent to transgender clients; employers who fire workers because they are gay; Service providers who tell same-sex partners they are not welcome; and welfare offices, government officials, courts, and nonprofits that discourage LGBTQ/PLHIV clients from using services and treat them as second-class citizens. LSNYC provides representation and advocacy for justice for these and others. Low-income LGBTQ/PHA clients also face the same legal issues as other low-income New Yorkers and need a safe and respectful place to get help. LSNYC provides enthusiastic advocates who understand the needs of LGBTQ/PHA clients. The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) ensures that all people, regardless of income or race, are free to choose their gender identity and expression free from harassment, discrimination or violence. SRLP is a collective organization based on the understanding that gender empowerment is inextricably linked to racial, social and economic justice. Therefore, they are trying to increase the political voice and visibility of low-income people and people of colour who are transgender, intersex or gender non-conforming. SRLP works to improve access to respectful and assertive social, health and legal services for communities. The National LGBTQ+ Bar Association is a national association of lawyers, judges and other lawyers, law students, activists, and affiliated lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights organizations. Since 1994, Immigration Equality has been proud to advocate for and represent lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and HIV-positive immigrants seeking safety, fair treatment and freedom. Immigration Equality`s work impacts both the people we serve and the immigration system as a whole. For over 20 years, we have focused on providing free direct legal advice to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and HIV-positive immigrants.
We envision a world where all people, regardless of their sexual or gender identity, have access to legal protections, decent work, adequate housing and health care, the right to found a family, and the opportunity to lead fulfilling lives. To this end, we provide legal services to LGBTQ communities to address the unique legal needs of queer people. LSAC LGBTQ+ Guide to Law Schools www.lsac.org/discover-law/diversity-law-school/lgbtq-law-school/lgbtq-guide-law-schools LeGaL was one of the first bar associations in the country for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender legal communities and remains one of the largest and most active organizations of its kind in the country. With a focus on the Greater New York City Area, LeGaL is dedicated to improving the administration of justice, ensuring full equality for members of the LGBT community, advancing the expertise and promotion of LGBT lawyers, and serving the community at large. HIV/AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (“HALCO”) is a LAO-funded not-for-profit legal clinic that provides free legal assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS in Ontario, Canada: www.halco.org/. HALCO supported Legal Aid Ontario in the Trans* Legal Needs Assessment project through its own TRANSforming JUSTICE project, which invited trans people in Ontario living with or affected by HIV to participate in a focus group, legal education workshop or survey. The New York Legal Assistance Group`s (NYLAG) LGBTQ Law Project provides free legal services, including counseling, referrals, or comprehensive representation for low-income LGBTQ communities across New York City. We handle a variety of civil law matters including: tenant ownership and inheritance, legal name changes, family law matters including divorces, protection orders, custody and adoptions, as well as wills, powers of attorney, living wills and other living wills, and immigration issues. Founded in 1978, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) works in New England and nationally to create a just society without discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status and sexual orientation. GLAD provides litigation, advocacy, and education services in all areas of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer civil rights, as well as the rights of people living with HIV, and has full-time attorneys and a network of associate lawyers throughout New England. OutServe-SLDN is the largest active duty association for the military and LGBTQ veterans communities. We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit, legal, oversight, and policy organization committed to achieving full LGBTQ equality for the U.S.
military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel based on sexual orientation and gender identity. OS-SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to military members and veterans affected by the repealed “Don`t Ask, Don`t Tell” Act and the previous regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving who may experience harassment or discrimination. Since 1993, our in-house legal team has responded to more than 12,000 requests for assistance. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund is committed to ending discrimination based on gender identity and expression and achieving equality for transgender people through public education, testing, direct legal services, and political efforts. Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund www.transgenderlegal.org Founded in 1973, Lambda Legal is the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and all people living with HIV through impact litigation, education and awareness. The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) was the first national LGBTQ rights organization founded by women and brings a passionate and longstanding commitment to racial and economic justice and the most vulnerable in our community. NCLR is a not-for-profit public interest law firm that litigates precedents at the trial and appellate court levels. advocates for equitable public policies that affect the LGBT community; provides free legal assistance to LGBT people and their lawyers; and conducts community education on LGBT issues. Trans Law Help is an online database of transpositive legal resources for people living in the United States. The database is organized by state and includes a list of additional lawyers, notaries and legal services who have identified themselves as resources for the trans community. The Transgender Law Center (TLC) is the largest national transgender-led organization working for the empowerment of all. Based on legal expertise and committed to racial justice, TLC employs a variety of community-based strategies to keep transgender and gender non-conforming people alive, thrive, and fight for liberation.
Pro Bono Students Canada – www.probonostudents.ca/ – often has projects with partner schools that focus on LGBTQ2S+ rights, such as running a trans identity clinic. Our lawyers are fighting for LGBTQ rights. We offer the following legal services: LGBTQ clients worked with NYLAG last year on legal issues ranging from name changes to estate planning The Pride Law Fund promotes the legal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities, as well as people living with HIV and AIDS, by funding legal services and projects and sponsoring education and awareness.
