National Center for Lesbian Rights
Encyclopedia
The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) is a national non-profit
, public interest law firm
that advocates for equitable public policies affecting the LGBT community, provides free legal assistance to LGBT clients and their legal advocates, and conducts community education on LGBT legal issues. It is headquartered in San Francisco with regional offices in Florida and Washington, DC. It is the only organization in the United States dedicated to lesbian legal issues, and the largest national lesbian organization.
Through impact litigation, public policy advocacy, public education, collaboration with other social justice organizations and activists, and direct legal services, the NCLR advances the legal and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and their families across the United States.
The NCLR was founded by Donna Hitchens, Roberta Achtenberg
, and other members of Equal Rights Advocates
in 1977, as the Lesbian Rights Project. Notable cases in which the firm has been a primary counsel include In re Marriage Cases
, Strauss v. Horton, and Christian Legal Society v. Martinez
.
NCLR provides legal information to individuals with legal questions related to their sexual orientation or gender identity through NCLR's legal information hotline.
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
, public interest law firm
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
that advocates for equitable public policies affecting the LGBT community, provides free legal assistance to LGBT clients and their legal advocates, and conducts community education on LGBT legal issues. It is headquartered in San Francisco with regional offices in Florida and Washington, DC. It is the only organization in the United States dedicated to lesbian legal issues, and the largest national lesbian organization.
Through impact litigation, public policy advocacy, public education, collaboration with other social justice organizations and activists, and direct legal services, the NCLR advances the legal and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and their families across the United States.
The NCLR was founded by Donna Hitchens, Roberta Achtenberg
Roberta Achtenberg
Roberta Achtenberg is an American politician. She currently serves as a Commissioner on the United States Commission on Civil Rights. She served as Assistant Secretary of the U.S...
, and other members of Equal Rights Advocates
Equal Rights Advocates
Equal Rights Advocates is a non-profit women's rights organization that was founded in 1974.ERA's stated mission is "to protect and secure equal rights and economic opportunities for women and girls through litigation and advocacy."...
in 1977, as the Lesbian Rights Project. Notable cases in which the firm has been a primary counsel include In re Marriage Cases
In re Marriage Cases
In re Marriage Cases 43 Cal.4th 757 [76 Cal.Rptr.3d 683, 183 P.3d 384], was a California Supreme Court case with the dual holding that "statutes that treat persons differently because of their sexual orientation should be subjected to strict scrutiny" and the existing "California legislative and...
, Strauss v. Horton, and Christian Legal Society v. Martinez
Christian Legal Society v. Martinez
Christian Legal Society v. Martinez, 561 U.S. ___, 130 S.Ct. 2971, 177 L.Ed.2d 838 , is a June 28, 2010, decision by the United States Supreme Court...
.
NCLR provides legal information to individuals with legal questions related to their sexual orientation or gender identity through NCLR's legal information hotline.
See also
- Coalition of Activist Lesbians AustraliaCoalition of Activist Lesbians AustraliaThe Coalition of Activist Lesbians Australia was formed in Australia in 1994 to work towards the end of discrimination against lesbians. COAL lobbies the Australian Commonwealth and other state and territory Governments to remove discrimination against lesbians...
- national lesbian rights organization in Australia.