In Brief: Looking Forward to 2010

From December 2009 eNews (Vol. 6, No. 11)

It's customary at this time to reflect on the past twelve months, and here at Lambda Legal, we are celebrating our victories and taking stock of our work so we can strengthen and expand it. But mainly, we are busy looking forward! We’ve got a packed docket ahead of us, having launched a range of new cases in recent weeks all across the country, including:

• Arizona: We’re safeguarding equality on the job and the health of families by fighting the state’s cancellation of insurance benefits for same-sex domestic partners of public employees.
  
• Georgia: We’re suing Atlanta and its police force for the latter’s outrageous and illegal raid of the Atlanta Eagle bar.
  
• Pennsylvania: We’re challenging a youth detention center that looked aside while residents and staff heaped abuse and neglect on a transgender girl.

Our movement is riding a wave of momentum and progress, but our opposition is meeting us head-to-head with dogged determination, deep coffers and ugly television ads. Meanwhile, people like our clients Vandy Beth Glenn in Georgia, Dr. Robert Franke in Arkansas and Washington resident Janice Langbehn, plaintiff in our Florida hospital visitation case, are still being discriminated against and mistreated on the basis of gender identity, HIV status and sexual orientation.

This year was historic and tumultuous, filled with highs and lows. Lambda Legal’s unanimous marriage victory in Iowa, which fueled breakthrough legislative wins in New Hampshire and Vermont, was followed by deeply disappointing votes in Maine and New York. It was gratifying and exciting to see Congress finally enact the federal hate crimes bill as well as the end of the HIV travel ban. In 2010, we look forward to securing more rights and protections for our communities in our many areas of focus, including transgender rights, youth, HIV, health care and workplace fairness, as well as full and equal respect for LGBT family relationships.

The battle for equality is waged on many fronts, including the workplace, health care settings and schools. It is our job to be on the front lines of all of them. You, Lambda Legal’s community of friends and supporters, are our reinforcements and sustenance. As you make your gift list this season, remember that a gift to Lambda Legal is a gift to yourself and an investment in equality; it goes directly toward the fight to protect your rights, livelihood and well-being and those of the people you cherish.

Let's remember 2009 for all the triumphs we enjoyed – and pay them forward in 2010.

Wishing you and your family a joyous holiday and new year,

Kevin Cathcart
Executive Director
Lambda Legal