Know Your Rights

Rally outside the Supreme Court during oral arguments in U.S. v. Skrmetti

Be Informed

Get help understanding how federal and state policies impact LGBTQ+ folks and everyone living with HIV.

Issues

Resources You Need Now

These resources speak to the most pressing issues of our community today.

Know your rights, and stay informed.

Legal System

LGBTQ+ Guide to Voting

You have the right to vote. Be prepared with this guide.

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Legal System

Best Practices for Safe Protesting

This essential guide empowers you with the tools and knowledge to protest safely, confidently, and effectively.

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Trans Rights

Identity Document Information for the Transgender Community

This resource provides information about recent federal actions and what these restrictions mean.

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Marriage + Family

Protections for LGBTQ+ Families

Tools and strategies to help LGBTQ+ families build legal, practical, and emotional security, especially in states that may be less protective.

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Health + HIV

The right to fairness in HIV and health care.

LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV often face barriers to receiving the health care they need. We break down the barriers between our community and the health care they need, from medical discrimination to violations of personal autonomy.

Know Your Rights: HIV

Our HIV Know Your Rights page is designed to empower individuals with essential information about their rights at work, in health care, and beyond.

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FAQ: Abortion Rights Today

Learn more about abortion access and how the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health can impact access to this critical health care.

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Transgender and Nonbinary Rights

Defending and expanding nonbinary and transgender rights.

We work to expand and defend protections for transgender and nonbinary people who face rampant discrimination and are some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Because transgender and nonbinary rights touch every area of life, be sure to explore our other sections for resources specific to your situation.

Passport and Identity Document Information

This resource aims to provide information about what policies affect gender-affirming identity documents and what these actions mean for travelers.

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Trans Youth in Sports Conversation Guide

This guide gives ideas for how to answer hard questions, ask thoughtful questions in return, and use these moments to build connection rather than division.

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Transgender Rights: Issue Area

Nonbinary and transgender people should be able to live openly and authentically. We work to expand and defend protections for nonbinary and trans people by advancing legal protections.

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Youth

Young people everywhere deserve to be who they are without fear of bullying or discrimination.

We work to ensure all LGBTQ+ youth are safe and free from discrimination and harassment, whether they’re in the hallways at school or in out-of-home care settings.

Safe Havens

A call to action from TNGD youth with experience in child welfare, juvenile legal, and youth homelessness systems who share their experiences and system improvement recommendations

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State-by-State Analysis of Child Welfare Systems

This map and summary outlines state protections in the nation’s child welfare system.

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State-by-State Analysis of Juvenile Legal Systems

This map and summary outlines state protections in the nation’s juvenile legal system.

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Advocating for TGNC Youth in Foster Care: A Guide for Attorneys and Advocates

This toolkit provides information that attorneys need to be a zealous advocate for their transgender, nonbinary, and gender diverse clients.

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Christopher Inniss and Shelton Stroman lambda legal plaintiffs

Resources for Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Child Welfare Systems

These tips and resources can help youth advocates affirm and support youth in welfare systems.

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Legal System

Challenging bias and discrimination across all levels of the legal system.

We stand up to law enforcement that targets and abuses LGBTQ+ and HIV+ people by challenging unfair criminal laws and seeking recourse when our rights are violated.

Anti-LGBTQ+ Discrimination Protections in Ethics Rules

Two maps look at the anti-discrimination rules judges and attorneys are required to follow in most jurisdictions.

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Judging Our Future: What’s at Stake for LGBTQ+ and HIV Rights in the Federal Courts

Standing up in courts against the second Trump administration by again filing a series of lawsuits to stop its attacks on LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV.

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Avoiding Anti-Transgender Bias in Jury Selection

A Voir Dire Guide for Lawyers: It also provides guidance on challenging potentially discriminatory peremptory strikes against TNGD prospective jurors.

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Black and white image of protesters protesting racial injustice

Protected & Served?

This report equips us with facts and data that will support new research, advocacy, litigation, and policy efforts to address unlawful bias, discrimination, and abuse by the legal system and to hold them accountable.

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The Alarming Impact of Trump’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Federal Judges

One key finding of this analysis was that at the end of Trump’s first term, close to 40% of the judges he had nominated had a previously demonstrated history of bias against the LGBTQ+ community.

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Court Reform: What You Should Know About Restoring Balance to the Supreme Court

Here’s what you need to know about court reform and why it is essential to protecting the civil rights of LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV.

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Immigration: Issue Area

LGBTQ+ immigrants have unique legal needs, particularly as many are likely to be persecuted based on their identity or HIV status.

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Work

Everyone deserves to be free from discrimination on the job.

We fight back when members of our community are fired, harassed, and targeted at work because they are LGBTQ+ or HIV+.

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The Supreme Court’s LGBTQ+ Employment Decision

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the decision in Bostock v. Clayton County and what it might mean for you.

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Employment: Issue Area

Employment and rights in the workplace remain one of the highest issues that Lambda Legal assists with across the country.

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Marriage + Family

Same-sex couples and their families deserve the same legal recognition, rights, and protections as everyone else.

Lambda Legal stands up for the rights of LGBTQ+ relationships and families. We’ve stood at the forefront of the fight for the freedom to marry. We’ve defended LGBTQ+ would-be parents who were denied the ability to open their hearts and homes to children.

Protecting LGBTQ+ Families and Identities

This guide provides basic information and practical steps for safeguarding family relationships, particularly for same-sex couples and LGBTQ+ parents.

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Beyond the Basics: Deeper Protections for LGBTQ+ Families

This guide provides additional tools and strategies to help LGBTQ+ families build legal, practical, and emotional security, especially in states that may be less protective.

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Marriage + Family: Issue Area

The LGBTQ+ community has fought for decades for their relationships and their families to be recognized under the law and treated with respect.

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School

LGBTQ+ people deserve to be unapologetically who they are at school.

Lambda Legal is fighting in courts and legislatures to ensure schools do their part to protect LGBTQ+ students—while offering trusted resources.

teacher and students in a classroom back-to-school

Cases Fighting for LGBTQ+ Student Rights

Highlighting four milestone cases amidst the 2025 back-to-school season.

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LGBTQ+ Students & Dress Codes at School Dances

In the U.S., LGBTQ+ students have the right to freely express who you are, including in what you choose to wear. In a public school setting, clothing restrictions must apply evenly across all gender expressions.

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LGBTQ+ Students & the Right to Bring a Date to Your School’s Dance

You also have a legal right to bring a date of any gender identity and sexual orientation. Even though you sometimes hear about schools barring same-sex couples from dances, doing so is likely to be against the law.

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National Day of Silence: The Freedom to Speak (Or Not) FAQ

This FAQ provides information about the rights of students to participate in the Day of Silence and what to do if school officials interfere with those rights.

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Students hold pride flags outside of a school bus to protest banning of Gay Straight Alliances

FAQ: Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay or Trans Bill”

This law has silenced LGBTQ+ people and families and left the community guessing about what it means to comply with the law. Here are some frequently asked questions.

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Seniors

LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV encounter specific legal challenges as they age.

We defend seniors who face discrimination, whether they’re refused housing or denied Social Security and other survivor benefits.

Seniors: Issue Area

Lambda Legal defends the rights of seniors who face discrimination related to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status.

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Need immediate assistance?

Lambda Legal’s Help Desk is a resource for the community we serve in providing general legal information and resources relating to discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, and HIV status.

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