What is Lambda Legal?
Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund is a national nonprofit organization based in the United States working for full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, the transgender people and people living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work, and a national free legal information hotline. Lambda Legal has regional offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Chicago.
For more than 40 years, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund has fought for LGBT rights and for the rights of people living with HIV. Lambda Legal was at the forefront of fighting the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the Fight for Marriage Equality . Lambda legal has successfully protected and expanded the freedom of LGBTQ families through various cases including, In re Estate of Ricketts, which after years of litigation provided 1,900 surviving same-sex spouses and domestic partners the insurance coverage they had all paid into but believed they would never receive.
Lambda Legal has also fought against discrimination in schools, workplaces, the military, hospitals, prisons/jails and in housing.
Lambda Legal actively conducts research and publishes reports that shape local, state, and federal policies. It has also works through coalitions and partnering with other organizations to change laws and to increase public awareness through education.
Lambda Legal’s Major Legal Wins
Some of Lambda’s most important legal victories include:
Locally, the Arizona Chapter continued this legacy of improving the lives and legal standing of LGBT people in Arizona and the Southwestern United States.
Some of the most noteworthy LGBT cases include:
Iennaco v. City of Gilbert (2010) Invalidating state and local laws that deny LGBT veterans benefits and have a "disparate impact" on them. Establishing the precedent that veterans must have equal access to same-sex spousal benefits as opposite-sex veterans.
Bowers v. City of Mesa (1999) Invalidating the anti-gay, same-sex sexual conduct ordinance and granting equal rights to protection of privacy on the basis of sexual orientation and providing protection for same-sex couples in domestic violence law.
Wins against former Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne in psychological and conversion therapy (non-consensual "ex-gay" counseling) cases.
State of Arizona v. Wolfson (2009) Invalidating the anti-gay, "offensive or abusive" video stores law and granting protection under anti-discrimination laws outside of the marketplace for individuals and businesses alike.
Xiong v. Minneapolis (2010) Invalidating anti-gay laws prohibiting the distribution of certain materials to minors and granting protections for LGBT individuals subject to laws that discriminate against minors.
A trans male student who already completed three full years playing on the Central Arizona College baseball team was told his fourth year was not going to be honored because he was transitioned—despite all other players who were injured were allowed to play the following year. This case settled in a victory for the student. The settlement ensures all interim gender transition protocol will be in place and updates to Central Arizona College’s sexual harassment policy have been adopted. This is a monumental win for intersex and transgender rights and protection in athletics policy.
Education and Outreach
Beyond their legal work in the courts, Lambda Legal engages in Education and advocacy efforts that inform the public about LGBTQ+ rights and highlight areas where continued effort is needed to ensure equality and justice for the LGBTQ+ community. Their website and social media contain a wealth of information about legislative and other efforts that are underway in various states, court challenges to laws and policies affecting the LGBTQ+ community, and summaries of their education efforts, including conferences, outreach programs, and free publications on a variety of issues. Their annual reports describe the impact and effectiveness of their education efforts and advocacy work.
How Lambda Legal Helps Individuals
In addition to its involvement in high-profile litigation, Lambda Legal also provides a host of resources and services just for individuals. Its website is replete with information about legal rights and responsibilities, as well as access to Lambda’s various legal dictionaries and glossaries, which are particularly helpful for individuals with limited experience in the area of law: It has an entire online patient’s guide to help navigate the health care system, and guides to specific issues ranging from transgender healthcare to employment discrimination. For individuals interested in learning more about the areas of law that may affect them, Lambda Legal’s website offers short, non-technical "Know Your Rights" materials in different languages and relating to a variety of issues (this is in addition to the aforementioned legal dictionaries and glossaries) . Those who believe that their rights have been violated may use Lambda Legal’s self-screening tool to see if they qualify for legal aid. Through the Lambda Legal Help Desk, people with questions can contact LGBTQ+ lawyers to act as callers’ guide through the process of understanding legal rights. The Help Desk is available to assist connecting community members with resources in nearly two dozen states and Washington D.C. If legal help is available in an individual’s state, Lambda Legal will work to find the right lawyer to assist in his or her specific matter. If help isn’t immediately available in a community, Lambda Legal tracks and advocates for needed services, and works toward legalization of LGBTQ+ rights. At the end of the day, Lambda Legal is a lawyer’s organization. It seeks to help people in need navigate the system. Lawyers are there to make sure that everyone’s rights to fair treatment are safeguarded.
Supporting Lambda Legal: How to Get Involved
As a national organization, Lambda Legal engages the power of the legal system to advance the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and the equality of LGBTQ+ families. With the experience gained from countless cases, Lambda Legal relies on volunteers to help fulfill its important mission, and an array of ways to give helps keep Lambda Legal going strong. As such, Lambda Legal encourages you or your organization to get involved as a volunteer, by making a cash donation, by becoming a member, or by sharing your voice at events to stand up for and speak out on behalf of LGBTQ+ equality.
Future Goals and Challenges
As Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund has fought for the civil rights of LGBTQ+ persons for more than four decades, it remains focused on numerous ongoing legal battles. In addition to fighting discrimination on a case-by-case basis, the organization has increasingly worked to address systemic issues both through state and federal courts and through lobbying efforts at the federal and state levels. As the terrain of LGBTQ+ rights continues to shift, Lambda Legal has identified a number of current and future issues that will require its attention. As experts note, "LGBTQ people [are] facing greater risks of discrimination [in states] with negative environments – states with poor legal protections." Lambda Legal agrees and has noted on its website that "[s]tate legislatures around the country are chipping away at the rights of LGBTQ people and their families while federal state courts are ignoring equal treatment under the law."
Lambda Legal has also committed to continue its efforts to ensure the implementation of the 2016 administrative guidance issued by the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education in support of equal treatment for transgender students in schools across the country. Although some courts have recently ruled against LGBTQ+ rights , there are positive signs as well.
The organization and its leaders have also remained outspoken in the face of negative developments on the immigration front. Lambda Legal created Know-Your-Rights presentations for LGBTQ+ persons and immigrants in 11 states and held numerous community events to inform immigrants at risk of deportation of their rights, available resources and how to prepare for potential immigration enforcement actions.
Organizations like Lambda Legal play a vital role in the movement for legal equality for LGBTQ+ persons and are re-emphasizing their commitment in an era when this becomes increasingly important.