Press Release

(Washington, DC, April 23, 2009) — In a letter received today, the Social Security Administration (SSA) reversed its prior determination to deny benefits to the children of a disabled gay father in Lambda Legal’s case representing the family against apparent antigay discrimination by the federal government.

(Medford, Oregon, April 17, 2009) — Lambda Legal has sent a letter of support to South Medford High School Principal Kevin Campbell, Medford School District Superintendent Phil Long, and the School Board on behalf of South Medford High School student and Gay Straight Alliance member Connie McNair.

(Philadelphia, NY April 17, 2009) — Just days after Lambda Legal, with the assistance of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, filed a federal lawsuit against the Indian River Central School District, the District said it will allow Ashley Petranchuk to form a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA).

(New York, April 16, 2009) — At a press conference today, Governor Paterson announced a marriage equality bill for consideration by the legislature, continuing his advocacy to secure the legal rights and responsibilities of marriage for same–sex couples in New York.

Statement from Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director at Lambda Legal:

(Philadelphia, NY April 8, 2009) — Lambda Legal, with the assistance of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, filed a lawsuit today at the US District Court for the Northern District of New York on behalf of Charlie Pratt, who endured years of antigay harassment during his time at Indian River High School, and his sister, Ashley Petranchuk, a sophomore who is trying to start a gay–straight alliance at the same high school years after her brother left.

(Gary, Indiana, September 26, 2008) — Late yesterday the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana denied Gary high school's motion to dismiss a case brought by transgender former student K.K. Logan, who was barred from prom because she wore a dress.

"We are thrilled that K.K. Logan will have a day in court, and that the school's discriminatory policies can be challenged," said Jim Madigan, Staff Attorney in Lambda Legal's Midwest Regional Office in Chicago.

(Washington D.C., September 26, 2008) — Proposed expansions to federal rules prohibiting discrimination against healthcare workers could in fact increase discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and HIV-positive patients, according to comments submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services by Lambda Legal and the National Coalition for LGBT Health, along with other health advocacy and medical care groups.

(San Francisco, August 18, 2008) — The California Supreme Court has ruled that a group of doctors cannot use their religion as a legal excuse for violating the civil rights of their former patient — an Oceanside lesbian — to whom they refused an infertility treatment based on their religious views about her sexual orientation.

This is a week we all will remember: first Iowa, then Vermont, then D.C — all emphatically embracing equality, respect, and consistent treatment of all families under law. We have turned another critical corner in this equal rights movement.