Lamda Legal LGBT Rights Advocacy Work
Organization and Cases of the Biggest Gay Rights Law Firm
May 17, 2009
Lambda Legal is an organization that has been in the news lately for arguing same sex marriage cases in California and Iowa, but the law firm deals with gay rights cases of all types, including cases before the Supreme Court. Lambda Legal attorneys argued such landmark cases as Romer v. Evans, challenging Colorado's discriminatory Amendment 2; Boy Scouts of America v. Dale, unsuccessfully challenging the Boy Scouts' exclusion of gay troop leader; and Lawrence v. Texas, the case that ruled sodomy laws unconstitutional.
The History and Organization of Lambda Legal
Lambda Legal became a non-profit national legal organization in 1973, and it initially focused on a range of cases including benefits for gay couples and gay families with children, discrimination suits on behalf of gay organizations and employees, and suits against the federal government for discriminatory practices. In the 1980s, the organization targeted corporations while continuing to fight discriminatory government practices. In the 1990s, it focused on state sodomy laws, partnership benefits for gays and lesbians, and working to overturn discriminatory state and local laws.
Today, the organization has five regional offices, located in Los Angeles (West), Chicago (Midwest), Atlanta (South), Dallas (South Central), and New York (National Headquarters). In addition to legal work, there are a number of Lambda staff members dedicated to education and public affairs. These staff members create publications related to gay rights legal issues, as well as managing education and advocacy campaigns.
Lambda Legal's Current Gay Rights Cases
Lambda currently has forty-two cases open nationwide for which it either is representing a party or has filed an amicus brief. Of the cases for which Lambda attorneys are representatives, seven deal with adoption or parenting rights and four deal with same-sex marriage.
Several of the cases deal with different types of discrimination or denial of services based on sexual orientation, including the denial of a property tax exemption for a New York LGBT community center, denial of hospital visitation, employment discrimination, discrimination based on HIV status, denial of medical services, refusal to use city resources for a pride parade, refusal of protection for hate crimes in school, and refusal of a joint mortgage.
There are also a number of cases concerning transgender or gender expression issues. For example, some open cases deal with the right to change one's name based on gender, the right of a male high school student to wear a dress to his prom, a challenge to a non-discrimination ordinance based on gender identity, employment discrimination, and the right of a transgender prisoner to hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery.
How to Get Involved or Work for Lambda Legal
Lambda has a number of ways to get involved online, from periodic online campaigns to social networking. They also provide tool kits concerning LGBT legal issues. Lambda periodically hosts events in different cities, and of course accepts donations. They take volunteers during Pride, at Lambda events, and in the five regional offices.
Attorneys can join the cooperating attorney network, which helps lighten the organization's load by providing amicus briefs, legal research, and other support. Lambda also hires attorneys as well as educators and support staff from time to time to work at its offices. Students can apply for a legal internship or for an internship in the development or education and public affairs department.
Lambda is an organization that constantly looks for support from the community in different ways, but also gives back tremendously through its work on groundbreaking cases that advance the cause of gay rights.
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