Press Release

(Seattle, Friday, May 7, 2004) - Telling a state court that same-sex couples in Washington need the protections and security that marriage provides, Lambda Legal and the Northwest Women’s Law Center will file court papers today seeking a prompt ruling in the case without a trial.

(Des Moines, Iowa, May 10, 2004) - In a brief filed today, Lambda Legal, along with local organizations, is asking the Iowa State Supreme Court to reject an attempt made by antigay groups to insert themselves into a case in which an Iowa district court granted two Sioux City women’s request to terminate their civil union.

(New York, Wednesday, May 12, 2004) -- As Massachusetts prepares to begin issuing marriage license to same-sex couples on Monday, Lambda Legal said today that efforts are intensifying to win marriage for lesbian and gay couples in several other states - and lawsuits identical to the case that won marriage in Massachusetts may reach high courts in New Jersey and Washington State by the end of 2004.

(Atlanta, Georgia, May 20, 2004) - Armed with a favorable Equal Employment Opportunity Commission decision, Lambda Legal announced that it is filing a federal lawsuit today on behalf of a 45 year-old Georgia man after he was unlawfully fired from his job because he has HIV.

(New York, June 7, 2004) - In a publication released today by Lambda Legal and the National Youth Advocacy Coalition, transgender youth have a one-of-a-kind resource to help them educate others about being a transgender young person.

(New York, June 14, 2004) - Lambda Legal today urged Geico Insurance Company of New York to comply with state law and respect valid marriages of all same-sex couples in determining car insurance rates and coverages. Over the past few months, Geico has recognized the marriages of some same-sex couples and denied recognition to others.

(Seattle, Thursday, June 24, 2004) - Six state legislators and a wide variety of religious organizations, civil rights groups and bar associations filed friend-of-the-court briefs today in support of marriage for same-sex couples in Washington State.

Lambda Legal and the Northwest Women’s Law Center filed a lawsuit in state court in March seeking the right to marry for same-sex couples. The briefs filed today urge the court to rule in favor of treating all couples equally.

(New York, July 6, 2004) - The three largest car insurance companies in New York - which, together, provide insurance to a third of all drivers in the state -- will respect the marriages of same-sex couples, providing them with the same rates and coverage as married heterosexual couples, Lambda Legal said today. In recent months, Lambda Legal has been working with couples throughout the state who were married in Canada to ensure that their marriages are fully respected.