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Our Voices

NCLR Celebrates Juneteenth – Freedom Day

Happy Juneteenth! Something pretty incredible happened this week. On June 17th, President Biden signed a bill that officially commemorates Juneteenth as the 11th annual federal holiday in the United States. Slavery is perhaps our country’s most appalling and shameful legacy. Even after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 declaring the end to slavery in the United States, this was not enforced in every part of the country. In fact, it was not until more than two years...

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One year later, what does Bostock mean for LGBTQ folks today?

As we celebrate Pride Month and the one-year anniversary of the United States Supreme Court decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, which held that employment discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits sex discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, we must continue to fight for LGBTQ equality. When we reflect on the Bostock decision and its incredible impact on our community, we must also remember the tough work that still remains to ensure...

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Today on the 5th Anniversary of Pulse, NCLR Honors Them with Action

Today marks the five-year anniversary of the tragic shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, FL that took the lives of 49 mostly Black and Brown LGBTQ people who were out enjoying their night in what they considered a safe space. As a native Orlandoan, and someone who started going to Pulse when they first opened in 2004, I will never forget the feeling of shock, grief, and anger that coursed through my body when I first saw the news about the horrendous loss of life in a place I once...

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Celebrating #LGBTQFamiliesDay by Ensuring that Every Family is Protected

Protecting families has been a core part of our work at the National Center for Lesbian Rights since we started in 1977. We envision a world where all families — no matter how they are formed — are given equal dignity and respect.  Even though we have made a lot of progress over the last 45 years, LGBTQ families are still separated in every state because of discrimination and lack of legal recognition of our family relationships. Last year, NCLR’s client, LaNesha Matthews, was removed from her...

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Celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with NCLR Staff

At the end of April 2021, President Joe Biden released a proclamation declaring May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. AANHPI Heritage Month is a time in which our country can honor and recognize the contributions and influence of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders on the United States’ history, culture, and accomplishments. This recognition is especially significant currently, as many AANHPI communities face heightened fear...

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“We Never Stop Advocating for Those that are Most Vulnerable” – NCLR’s LGBTQ Sports Consultant Helen Carroll

“I love when young LGBTQ athletes are able to complete and participate fully in sports with the joy that comes from that – especially when they have to fight for that right, the pure happiness of that athlete just fills my heart.”Helen Carroll, NCLR LGBTQ Sports Consultant One of NCLR’s current LGBTQ Sports Consultants, Helen Carroll (she/her) originally joined the organization’s staff in 2001 as Sports Project Director, holding that position until 2016. Prior to her time at NCLR,...

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On May 17, 2021, NCLR submitted comments on behalf of 14 LGBTQ and sexual health advocacy organizations encouraging the Biden Administration to adopt new regulations for the Title X family planning program. This critical federal program provides funding for health centers around the country that provide contraception, STI testing and other important health services to primarily low-income people, including many who are LGBTQ. The Trump administration had imposed harsh rules that drove Planned...

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On TDOV, NCLR Lifts the Voices of the Next Generation of Our Transgender Staff

International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) is an annual event observed on March 31 that is dedicated to celebrating transgender individuals and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide. For Transgender Day of Visibility 2021, NCLR is highlighting the voices of our transgender youth staff members who have chosen to share their experiences, expertise, and what visibility means to them.   Lexi Adsit (she/her)NCLR Donor Engagement Manager “When I...

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It Will Take ALL of Us to Stop Asian Hate

Two weeks ago, our hearts sank here at NCLR as we heard the news that the Atlanta community had been attacked by a terrorist who murdered eight individuals – including six Asian women. While we may not have all the details about the motives of the attacker, it is clear that he specifically targeted Asian-owned and operated businesses in a city with a less than 5% Asian population. What is also clear is that anti-Asian violence has dramatically increased in the last year, incited in large...

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The spate of anti-transgender youth bills that are proliferating around the United States is insidious and incredibly harmful to the health and well-being of transgender youth in more than half of the country. NCLR Executive Director Imani Rupert-Gordon speaks about the dangers of these bills restricting medical care and sports access for transgender kids, and urges you to contact your legislators to strongly oppose them NOW! Imani also shares a message of hope and love to the transgender...

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