Press Release

(Kentwood, Louisiana, October 8, 2003) - Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund said today that a stroke patient who was rejected by six Louisiana nursing homes because he has HIV has been admitted by one of the facilities, Kentwood Manor in Kentwood, Louisiana. Under the agreement, Lambda Legal plans to drop legal action against Kentwood Manor, but continues discrimination claims against the five other nursing homes that refused to admit the man, causing him to live hours from his family.

(Denver, Wednesday October 8, 2003) - Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund today welcomed Kaiser Permanente’s announcement that it has reconsidered its initial rejection of a kidney transplant for a Denver-area man with HIV and will now cover the procedure.

Late last month, Lambda Legal filed a formal appeal with Kaiser Permanente, asking the HMO to reverse its denial in light of a range of scientific data and John Carl’s personal health history and experience.

(New York, Wednesday, October 8, 2003) -- As two-dozen right-wing organizations, supported by an official White House proclamation, gear up to celebrate “Marriage Protection Week” next week, Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund announced plans today to honor and participate in the week with a range of activities focused on same-sex couples’ commitment to protecting their families and strengthening the institution of marriage.

s(Los Angeles, October 14, 2003) - In an important case for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered immigrants, Lambda Legal is urging the Board of Immigration Appeals in Washington, DC, to grant asylum to a man who faced severe anti-gay persecution in Mexico -- but was rejected for asylum by a California immigration judge who said he didn't seem gay and could hide his sexual orientation to avoid persecution.

(Phoenix, October 17, 2003) - In an important case for lesbian, gay and bisexual Arizona state employees, Lambda Legal today urged the state Supreme Court to uphold Gov. Janet Napolitano’s executive order that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation against state employees.

(Lubbock, Texas, October 20, 2003) - Lambda Legal and the Lubbock chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays will host a community town hall meeting Tuesday, October 28 about the need for and importance of a Gay Straight Alliance student club at Lubbock High School.

(Washington, D.C., October 29, 2003) - Lambda Legal today filed a discrimination complaint on behalf of a second applicant who was rejected for a Foreign Service job by the U.S. State Department because he has HIV. The State Department is due to respond next week to a federal lawsuit Lambda Legal filed in early September on behalf of another applicant challenging the government’s policy of prohibiting anyone with HIV from being hired as a Foreign Service officer, regardless of the applicant’s qualifications or health status.