In Court

Since 1973, Lambda Legal has been advocating for the rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people (LGBT) and people with HIV by bringing legal actions in courts and other forums. We have grown larger and stronger since we began this fight for civil rights, and now have approximately 20 attorneys in five offices around the country. Our docket ordinarily includes approximately 65 open cases. We also support many important cases each year by filing "friend of the court" or amicusAmicus curiae  Person or organization not party to a case but permitted by the court to advise it on a particular issue (more keywords) briefs.

We pursue impact litigationImpact litigation  Precedent-setting cases designed to affect large numbers of people and bring about meaningful social change (more keywords). With limited resources, we cannot represent everyone who has suffered discrimination or harm. Instead, we select our cases by analyzing them to see which will have the greatest impact in protecting and advancing the rights of LGBT people and those with HIV.

Nearly every month, we win legal victories or advances for clients who seek equality on the job, protection for their parenting or relationship rights, equal access to health care or protection against discrimination because of HIV status or gender identity or expression. We also represent clients in cases involving immigration, the rights of students in school and the rights of LGBT youth in out-of home care.

Lambda Legal's work has an impact on our laws and our society. Our landmark U.S. Supreme Court victory in Lawrence v. Texas in 2003 finally ended the criminalization of gay and lesbian sexual intimacy in this country, and has been cited in as many as 150 legal rulings since then.

Cases

Documents