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Lambda Legal's Commitment to Ensuring Equal Access to Justice on National Public Defense Day

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March 18, 2016

On this 52nd anniversary of Gideon, Lambda Legal recognizes the enormous contributions of public defenders and applauds the U.S. Department of Justice for its letter to state and local courts condemning the illegal enforcement of fines and fees in certain jurisdictions.
Sophia, we will miss your cry for justice and equality

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March 18, 2016

This blog post was authored by guest writer Juan Carlos Vega, president and founding member—along with Sophia Isabel Marrero Cruz and other wonder women— of the Citizens Alliance Pro LGBTTA Health of Puerto Rico (where ‘A’ stands for Allies). He currently serves as Policy Manager for LGBT HealthLink, a Program of CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers.
Federal Court Orders Texas Prison Chief to Remain Defendant in Transgender Woman’s Abuse Case

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March 14, 2016

Today, a U.S. District Court rejected an attempt to remove Brad Livingston, executive director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), as a defendant in Zollicoffer v.

See Also: Criminal Justice and Police Misconduct, Passion Star, PREA, Racial Justice and Low-Income Advocacy, Transgender Rights
Five Things Married Same-Sex Couples Need To Know Before Filing Their Taxes

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March 10, 2016

After the Supreme Court’s watershed 2015 Obergefell decision to make marriage equality the law of the land, we received many questions about the income tax filing process and how the change has affected things for same-sex couples.
Lambda Legal Applauds Governor García Padilla’s Statement that Marriages will Continue in Puerto Rico

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March 9, 2016

Today, Governor Alejandro García Padilla announced that the decision issued yesterday by the District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, holding that the historic U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges striking down discriminatory marriage bans nationwide did not apply to Puerto Rico because it is not a state, would not affect the ability of LGBT people in Puerto Rico to marry. Lambda Legal applauds the Governor’s announcement.

See Also: Marriage, Marriage Relationships and Family Protections, Same-sex relationships
Lambda Legal Condemns Puerto Rico Court Ruling Upholding Commonwealth’s Discriminatory Marriage Ban

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March 8, 2016

Today, the U.S. District Court of the District of Puerto Rico ruled that the historic U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges striking down discriminatory marriage bans nationwide did not apply to Puerto Rico because it is not a state, and denied a joint motion brought by Lambda Legal and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to declare Puerto Rico’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples unconstitutional. Lambda Legal will appeal the ruling.

See Also: Anti-LGBT Rulings, Laws and Amendments, Marriage, Marriage Relationships and Family Protections, Same-sex relationships
Victory! SSA Grants Spousal Benefits to Texas Widow in Lambda Legal Case

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March 8, 2016

Today Lambda Legal announced the resolution of its lawsuit against the Social Security Administration (SSA) brought on behalf of Kathy Murphy, a Texas widow denied spousal benefits after the death of her wife, and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (the National Committee).

See Also: Marriage, Same-sex relationships, Social Security Administration
LGBT Groups Denounce TSA Rule Codifying Body Scanners

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March 3, 2016

The National Center for Transgender Equality, Lambda Legal, and the American Civil Liberties Union's LGBT & HIV Project, denounce the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)’s decision to codify its use of full body scanners in a final rule.

See Also: Transgender Rights
Video From The Court: Our Attorneys React To Arguments in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt

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March 2, 2016

See video reactions from our attorneys after today's Supreme Court arguments.

See Also: Health Care Fairness, Reproductive Rights and Sexual Health, Transgender Rights
The Road Ahead: Fighting Anti-LGBT Legislation

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February 23, 2016

Recently, as these election-year LGBT-bashing bills have proliferated, some gay bloggers and reporters have started asking what members of the community also must be wondering: Are our LGBT organizations prepared to deal with this unprecedented level of legislative and ballot attacks? Lambda Legal has been preparing steadily during the past three years and implementing strategies to fight back and win. At the same time, we know our opponents are well-funded and determined, and winning will not be easy.

See Also: Religious Exemptions, Religiously Motivated Discrimination