Press Release

Insurance companies say same-sex partners don’t qualify as spouses; speakers at Monday’s news conference were with partners for 14 and 21 years

These are first-ever cases brought by same-sex partners related to 9/11 or JFK crash - and first-ever cases brought by gay or lesbian partners seeking coverage under New York Worker’s Compensation law

Joining the two surviving spouses at Monday’s event:
Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-Manhattan)

MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2002 at 12 NOON

(New York, April 10, 2002) - The Monette/Horwitz Trust has named Jon W. Davidson a recipient of its fifth annual Distinguished Achievement Award for his extensive contributions to fighting homophobia as an attorney for Lambda Legal, and for his work to educate the public about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues.

(NEW YORK, April 9, 2002) - Lambda Legal Executive Director Kevin M. Cathcart offers a view from the courthouse for Pridefest’s National Gay & Lesbian Leaders Symposium.

From assisting partners of lesbian and gay victims of September 11, to securing protections against anti-gay abuse in the schools, Cathcart will highlight how Lambda Legal ’s advocacy advances civil rights for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, the transgendered, and people with HIV and AIDS.

Insurance companies say same-sex partners don’t qualify as spouses; speakers at Monday’s news conference were with partners for 14 and 21 years

These are first-ever cases brought by same-sex partners related to 9/11 or JFK crash - and first-ever cases brought by gay or lesbian partners seeking coverage under New York’s Workers’ Compensation Law

(ATLANTA, Monday, April 8, 2002) - Lambda Legal today strongly denounced a letter to a newspaper by a Mississippi judge suggesting that gays and lesbians be institutionalized and agreed to represent Equality Mississippi, a statewide civil rights group, in an ethics complaint against the judge.

“The letter is a clear statement of prejudice against gays and lesbians that calls into serious question whether the judge can decide cases fairly and impartially,” said Greg Nevins, staff attorney in Lambda Legal’s Southern Regional Office.

(ATLANTA, Friday, May 3, 2002) - An Arlington County Circuit Court judge today wasted no time in rejecting an attempt by the Virginia Attorney General’s office to end a lawsuit filed by a lesbian mother who wants to adopt a foster child. Arlington resident Linda Kaufman is suing the Commonwealth of Virginia for refusing to allow her to adopt a District of Columbia foster child because Kaufman is a lesbian. Today, Judge Joanne Alper rejected Virginia’s argument that Kaufman’s case should be dismissed because she has not formally submitted an application to adopt a child.

(NEW YORK, Friday, March 15, 2002) - The Kansas Supreme Court’s ruling against the marriage of J’Noel Gardiner, a transsexual woman, fails to acknowledge scientific and psychological realities - as well as the everyday reality of J’Noel’s life and marriage as a female.

(CHICAGO, Wednesday, May 15, 2002) - The Ohio Supreme Court ruled today that the state’s importuning (soliciting) law, which criminalizes expressions of sexual interest between people of the same sex, is unconstitutional.

In a unanimous decision, Ohio’s highest court ruled that the law violates the Equal Protection clauses of the United States and Ohio Constitutions.