Press Release

In response to today’s Senate vote that sets the stage for an end to the U.S. military’s 17-year-old “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy barring gays and lesbians from serving openly, Lambda Legal issued the following statement from Executive Director Kevin Cathcart.

(Atlanta, Georgia December 16, 2010) - Plaintiff's lawyers and public safety organization will hold a town hall meeting on Monday, December 20, 2010, to educate Atlanta community members about the recent settlement in the Atlanta Eagle raid case and what the systemic reforms within the Atlanta Police Department means for the community.

(San Francisco, December 14, 2010) - The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California will hear oral arguments this Friday, December 17, in a Lambda Legal case that could result in the next major court decision regarding the federal so-called "Defense of Marriage Act," or DOMA.

(Chicago, IL, December 14, 2010) - To provide information and clarification to same-sex couples who are considering entering into a civil union when the new law takes effect in June, or whose out-of-state marriages will be treated automatically as civil unions under Illinois law, Lambda Legal has posted an FAQ on its website.

A settlement in the Atlanta Eagle raid lawsuit will force the Atlanta Police Department to rewrite unconstitutional policies regarding arrest, search and seizure, and make other changes to protect the public from police misconduct.

(Los Angeles, December 6, 2010) — In response to today's oral arguments in the appeal of a federal case striking down California's Proposition 8, Lambda Legal National Marriage Project Director Jennifer C. Pizer issued the following statement:

The Perry v. Schwarzenegger Ninth Circuit Oral Arguments are scheduled to begin at 10:00 am PDT, 1:00 pm EST today. Follow below for live updates on Twitter, or in Los Angeles join us for a viewing party at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center.

For live streaming video, visit cspan.org.

The parties have reached an agreement to settle this case, which they believe is in the best interest of the City, its residents, and visitors. This agreement includes monetary compensation and reforms of the Atlanta Police Department. Until this agreement is approved by the Atlanta City Council and by the District Court, the parties and counsel shall not make further comment to the media about this case.

The case is Calhoun v. Pennington

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(Atlanta, GA December 1, 2010) - Yesterday, in the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, Lambda Legal filed a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and Georgia Safe Schools Coalition (GSCC) in opposition to a graduate student's legal claim against Augusta State University.

The Illinois House of Representatives passed the civil union bill today, taking an important step toward providing needed legal protections for same-sex couples. Lambda Legal is celebrating this vote and urging the Illinois Senate to follow.