Publications & Resources

How the election of judges and the stunning lack of diversity on state courts threaten LGBT rights.

Federal courts play a crucial role in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people and those with HIV. Across the country, federal courts are deciding cases involving access to health care, employment protections, safety in schools, the freedom to marry, parenting rights, and family protections for same-sex couples.

In collaboration with Lambda Legal and Demos, this special report on the courts appeared in the October 2011 issue of The American Prospect magazine. The report, entitled "Justice for Sale", examines the current threat to a fair and impartial American court system.

On November 2, the marriage equality movement suffered a blow. Well-funded antigay groups succeeded in ousting from office three well-respected Iowa Supreme Court justices who were up for what should have been routine retention elections.

Request your free Gear Up! a Fair Courts Toolkit for Everyday Advocates. Lambda Legal has developed this toolkit so advocates like you can get informed, and to provide a simple training to your community. The toolkit's basic message is that in order to protect our fair court system, everyone must be involved.