While LGBTQ History month is usually a time to honor our history and legacy, it’s impossible to ignore the attacks on our communities over the past 10 months.

From making LGBTQ youth less safe in schools to the transgender military ban, we’ve seen the effects of deep systems that have a long history of oppressing our communities. This is especially true for those who experience discrimination for their multiple identities, and we are watching this play out right now.

In June, we will hear the Supreme Court decision from Chiles v. Salazar which will determine if licensed therapists will be able to perform the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy. But no matter what the outcome, NCLR will do everything we can to protect youth from this harmful practice. Our Born Perfect program has worked for over 10 years to ban conversion therapy in half the states in this country, and over 150 municipalities. If the courts impede these laws, we will continue this work through strong legislative strategy and a robust public education campaign.

Right now, in states across this country, people are being rounded up in the streets by masked agents. This practice is deeply racist, as people are detained because of where they work, the language they speak, or the color of their skin. This is woefully dangerous to us all, but poses a unique challenge to LGBTQ immigrants and asylum seekers. These same agents are waiting outside of courthouses to detain LGBTQ asylum seekers who are simply following procedure in order to be granted asylum. When these individuals end up in detention, they are often facing the same type of violence from which they were fleeing. Our systems are becoming less and less safe for more of us.

That’s why our Hogar program is so important. For over 30 years, we have helped LGBTQ individuals be safe in this country. To support this work, we are providing additional immigration attorneys to help as many asylum seekers as possible.

While LGBTQ History is of course a celebration, we owe it to ourselves and our community to also recognize it as a call to action. LGBTQ History month is more than recognizing representation, it’s about changing systems so that more of us are included.

Iconic transgender activist Miss Major Griffin-Gracy – who dedicated her life to fiercely protecting, loving, and mentoring trans people of color, those with HIV/AIDS, and her incarcerated ‘gurls’ – has passed away at the age of 78, leaving a legacy of activism, advocacy and motherhood that we will always cherish. One of the last known participants in the Stonewall riots, Miss Major spent more than 50 years in service to our community, creating spaces where all people, but particularly trans women of color, could find safety and support in New York City, San Diego, San Francisco and Little Rock, Arkansas. As her final act of care, Miss Major founded House of gg, also known as the Griffin-Gracy Educational Retreat and Historical Center. The nonprofit serves as a haven for Black trans people and movement leaders in the southern United States. Rest in Power, Mama. We will carry your torch onward.

In early October, the Supreme Court heard Chiles v. Salazar – a landmark conversion therapy case. Plaintiff Kaley Chiles brought the case to the court, arguing that Colorado’s conversion therapy ban limited her free speech as a licensed professional therapist. NCLR’s legal team supported Shannon Stevenson of the Colorado Attorney General’s office to prepare the argument defending Colorado’s ban on the dangerous, discredited practice of conversion therapy – explaining that states have an obligation to protect patients by regulating practices that can cause serious harm, including talk therapy. Stevenson repeatedly underscored how these ethical regulations protect youth from harm, as conversion practices are proven to cause increased risk of anxiety, depression, and suicide attempts. Mental health treatments should be neutral and evidence based. But rather than helping people explore their identity in a safe environment, free from prejudice, conversion practices impose a pre-determined outcome. Laws like Colorado’s are implemented to regulate treatment, which is not speech.

Linda Robertson shares her story outside of the Supreme Court on the morning of oral arguments in Chiles v. Salazar. Linda’s son Ryan died by suicide following years of conversion therapy, and her story is part of this powerful amicus brief that NCLR took the lead organizing. Linda’s story – along with the stories of other parents of conversion therapy participants in this brief – demonstrates the harms of conversion therapy.

The Supreme Court Is Ruling on Conversion Therapy. What Could Go Wrong!, Rolling Stone

I Spent Eight Years in Conversion Therapy Mistaking Shame for Faith, TIME.

While oral arguments in this case are now concluded, you can listen to the recording on the Supreme Court’s website. We expect a decision in this case to be announced in June of 2026. Currently, youth are protected from conversion therapy in 23 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. If Colorado’s law is struck down, Colorado and other states will no longer be able to regulate mental health treatments that jeopardize the safety and wellbeing of minor patients. NCLR will continue to explore pathways to protect LGBTQ youth from the harms of conversion practices and support survivors and practitioners speaking out about the dangers of this unethical treatment.

Last October, NCLR announced that we’ve become the home of the Urvashi Vaid LGBTQ+ Women’s Community Survey, and this year we are pleased to share a new report entitled “What’s Killing Us?” focused on the health disparities that are impacting LGBTQ+ women’s lives. While the findings in this report speak to some difficult truths about health outcomes for queer women in this moment, collecting this data is an important first step in changing our lives for the better.

NCLR is committed to ensuring radical access to this data; sharing the findings in accessible and tangible ways; and highlighting and elevating the experiences of LGBTQ+ women in our movement. We hope you will take the time to read and share “What’s Killing Us?” with the people in your life who share our vision for a future where LGBTQ+ women can thrive.

This report and its findings will be shared at the sold-out Lesbian Lives Conference in New York on Friday, October 24th.

Read the Report

As part of our Rural Pride program, NCLR has served on the organizing committee of the ND Q Summit (formerly ND LGBTQIA2S+ Summit) for the past 7 years. Director of Community Justice and Access, Ming Wong and Director of Racial and Economic Justice Initiatives, TyrONE Hanley attended the summit which was held for the first time in Fargo, North Dakota after previously taking place in Bismarck. The move to Fargo seems to have reinvigorated the summit as the number of attendees doubled from last year! The weekend included a Professional’s Day – which focused on topics for those providing healthcare, legal, educational, and mental health services to the LGBTQ+ community. Ming presented a workshop for service providers on identifying legal issues commonly faced by LGBTQ+ community members and TyrONE presented two films as part of the Fargo Moorhead LGBT Film Festival – We Are Abundant and Home Sweet Home. Other sessions included: HIV law modernization, LGBTQ Research and Data, LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Updates, Queer Elected Officials, Inclusive Sex Education, and Housing Justice. The summit also included their first ever art show which was organized by a local artist and announced plans to expand LGBTQ state-wide organizing through the Forward 701 network. Thank you for having us, North Dakota!

October is estate planning month, which means it’s the perfect time to think about joining the Kathryn Friebe Legacy Circle, our family of supporters safeguarding the future of LGBTQ equality by including NCLR in their will. Kathryn Friebe was a lifetime supporter of NCLR, attending her first event with us in 1992. When she passed away, she graciously included NCLR as a beneficiary in her estate. In her memory, we established the Friebe Legacy Circle, designed to honor and recognize individuals who confirm their dedication to LGBTQ rights by naming NCLR as a beneficiary of their wills, trusts, insurance policies, or retirement plans.

Legacy decisions are unique and often shift with life’s changes. As a member of the Kathryn Friebe Legacy Circle, you ensure that your commitment to LGBTQ rights lives on for generations to come. NCLR is here to support your interests when you are ready. If you’d like more information on how to include NCLR in your will, please contact our Advancement team at development@ncl​rights.org.

Learn More

5 lawyers standing between Trump and trans Americans, Advocate

Judge blocks Arizona’s surgery mandate for transgender birth certificate changes, Arizona Mirror

Arizona judge orders state to issue amended birth certificates for transgender individuals, Arizona Capitol Times

Line Dancing – San Diego, CA – Multiple events
The San Diego Coasters – an LGBTQIA+ line and partner dancing organization – hosts regular events, dances, and lessons.

HalloQueen Ball – Salt Lake City, UT – October 31
Join Utah Pride for their HalloQueen Ball on October 31st! Celebrate queer culture, connect with the community, and help support the Utah Pride Center’s vital programs—all while dancing the night away!

LGBTQ Ballroom Dance Classes – Columbus, OH – Multiple Events
Learn how to ballroom dance this fall in an LGBTQ-centered environment with Stonewall Columbus! Whether you are learning to dance for a special occasion or just want to have some fun on the dance floor, come learn in an accepting and fun environment. Classes are open to everyone with or without a dance partner, with all genders and gender pairings welcome.

Trans & Allies Social Hour – Eugene, OR – November 1
Transponder is hosting a Trans & Allies Social Hour in Eugene, Oregon. Come hang out, meet people, and drink coffee in a safe and supportive space. Both LGBTQ people and allies are welcome.

Applications are open for The Advocate’s The Future of Queer Media Fellowship! The program is designed to develop and uplift the next generation of transgender and queer journalists. This paid fellowship is for anyone with a strong interest in journalism and LGBTQ communications, including recent graduates and those who intend to switch careers. Learn more and apply.