Back in 2016, after Donald Trump was elected President, we wrote an update for the community responding to people’s fears that their marriages were under threat. Today, we’re seeing the same concerns again. So here’s a short update on our original post. The short answer is that there is still no realistic reason to fear that existing marriages of same-sex couples will be invalidated. The law remains as strong as it was in 2016 that if a marriage is valid when entered, it cannot be invalidated...
Proposition 314 is on Arizona’s ballot this year – what it is and why would it be detrimental for immigrants and broader communities in the state? What’s on the bill? Proposition 314 – more commonly known as, the “Secure the Border Act” – would make it a state crime for noncitizens to cross international borders in any way, other than the official ports of entry and allow for state and local enforcements to arrest noncitizens who cross the border unlawfully. Under this...
In 1994, the United States granted asylum to an individual on the basis of sexual orientation for the first time. This opened the door for LGBTQ immigrants facing persecution in their countries of origin to seek protection as refugees and asylees. Thirty years later, immigration continues to be central to our political discourse and remains a focus in the presidential election. In response to the US allowing asylum claims from LGBTQ immigrants, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR)...
Overview: Over the past four years, attacks on hard-won LGBTQ rights have increased across the United States. From medical care, to education, to identity documents, there are few areas that have been untouched by legislative bans on constitutionally protected activity, especially for the transgender community. More than half of the states now ban healthcare and sports participation for transgender youth. The scale of these attacks has ensured that only some of the bans get challenged in court...
A Dark History At the turn of the 20th century, despite the German Criminal Code banning homosexuality, Germany had a thriving LGBTQ community. In Berlin alone, there were over one hundred queer bars, cafes, clubs, and organizations. Queer publications were plentiful and LGBTQ activists fought for a more equitable society. However, as the Nazis rose to power, hostility towards LGBTQ people – especially gay men – increased, as they considered homosexuals to be a detriment to their...
Here’s what they mean for you. If the term “federal regulations” doesn’t feel all that relevant or interesting to you, don’t worry, you’re not alone. The term does perhaps sound a little dry and boring. But, as it turns out, federal regulations are actually very important and shape many aspects of our lives, even if we’re not aware of it. Recently, two federal agencies – the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services – issued important new...
Malkia Hutchinson (She/Her) – Director of Media and Communications We are excited to announce that Malkia Hutchinson recently filled the position of Director of Media and Communications! She comes to NCLR after working in communications in the reproductive justice space. Get to know Malkia in this Q & A! Where do you currently reside? Missouri City, TX (a suburb outside of Houston) What is your educational background? I have a BA in Sociology from Cornell University and an MPA...
Staci Peters (she/her) – Senior Staff Accountant Staci knew it was important that her next job make an impact, and this is drew her to NCLR. Staci says she is excited to learn more about all the great work NCLR does as she begins her position. She brings a wealth of experience in accounting to NCLR, and we are excited to have her on our team! Where do you currently reside? Fox Point, Wisconsin What is your educational background? I have an BA in Accounting and a MBA from the University...
51 years ago, on January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Roe v. Wade recognized the individual right to decide whether or not to have an abortion. Since this right was overturned in the Dobbs decision in June 2022, we’ve seen cruel abortion bans passed and even attempts to outlaw medication abortion. We know bans and restrictions on this important healthcare impact poor and working class people, rural residents, people of color, and queer folks the most. From advocating for...
Washington D.C. - As federal funding debates continue, a small group of senators are demanding changes to asylum and immigration policy in exchange for funding to aid Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. These changes are being disguised as “border security measures,” however, they would eliminate essential protections for people seeking asylum—protections that have been in place for decades– and cause harmful confusion and disruption at the U.S.- Mexico Border. The proposed...
Equality Florida is the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community. We’re changing Florida through lobbying, grassroots organizing, education, and coalition building — so that no one suffers harassment or discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.
Come Out With Pride
The mission of Come Out With Pride Orlando is to cultivate visibility, authenticity, and acceptance by curating inclusive experiences that celebrate and embody the spirit of queer resilience.
Orlando Youth Alliance
Since 1990, the Orlando Youth Alliance (OYA) has been providing safe spaces for LGBTQ youth in Central Florida. Their coverage area includes metro Orlando, but also spans out to include the rural counties surrounding Orlando. In 2008, they created a chapter in Lakeland, Florida (Polk County). OYA oversees the highly successful Polk Pride Festival which attracts over 6,000 people annually.
Southern Legal Counsel
Southern Legal Counsel, Inc. (SLC) is a Florida statewide not-for-profit public interest law firm that is committed to the ideal of equal justice for all and the attainment of basic human and civil rights. SLC developed its Transgender Rights Initiative to fill a gap in access to justice for Florida’s transgender community, including in areas such as access to legal authenticity, access to safe and affirming school and work environments, access to medically necessary healthcare, and more. SLC’s Trans Rights Initiative protects the rights of Florida’s LGBTQ+ community utilizing federal impact litigation, policy advocacy, and individual representation. SLC has litigated many of the recent federal cases against the state of Florida, and has successfully overturned the Medicaid Ban on gender-affirming care (Dekker v. Weida); permanently enjoined the medical care bans for minors and restrictions for adults created by SB 254 and the Boards of Medicine rules (Doe v. Ladapo); preliminarily enjoined the pronoun ban for transgender teachers in Florida’s public schools; and more.
Joy Metropolitan Community Church
Joy MCC is the spiritual home to a multi-cultural, inclusive, and diverse community of faith. We are rooted in the life, ministry, and teachings of Jesus. We experience a vibrant spirituality that is positive, practical, and progressive. We’ve always been a totally open and affirming church. We welcome the full participation of people of allraces, cultures, ages, abilities, spiritual backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We share a deep sense of community where our diversity is celebrated, not merely tolerated.
ACLU of Florida
The mission of the ACLU of Florida is to protect, defend, strengthen, and promote the constitutional rights and liberties of all people in Florida. We envision a fair and just Florida, where all people are free, equal under the law, and live with dignity.
QLatinx
QLatinx is a grassroots community-led racial, social, and gender justice organization dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of Orlando’s LGBTQ+ Latinx community. QLatinx is committed to building a supportive infrastructure, addressing inequity, promoting inclusionary QLatinx aims to deepen the political consciousness of LGBTQ+ and Latinx individuals about intersections and complexities of institutional, interpersonal, and internalized forms of oppression. This work includes empowering local LGBTQ+ leadership to become cognizant of gender and racial inequities with the LGBTQ+ community and in relation to cisgender populations.
Community Spring
Community Spring is a grassroots organization dedicated to economic justice. The two pillars of our work are income and power: income to meet people’s needs and power to reshape the systems that keep them down.
Pride Community Center of North Central Florida
The Pride Community Center of North Central Florida offers safe spaces, resources, services and events to foster and enhance the well-being and visibility of LGBTQ+ people in North Central Florida. Visibility changes minds. Here in North Central Florida, LGBTQ+ people deserve access to safe spaces where they can not only express themselves, but where they can also be a part of a community. Come join us.
