Lambda Legal Expands Transgender Law Resources; Transgender Rights Attorney Cole Thaler Joins Lambda Legal

(Atlanta, Georgia, May 10, 2005) — Today Lambda Legal announces the expansion of its work in transgender law with the addition of transgender rights staff attorney Cole Thaler.

“We are excited to have the resources to focus more attention on the legal needs of the transgender community and are very fortunate to have such a talented attorney, Cole Thaler, on board to lead that work,” said Jon Davidson, Legal Director at Lambda Legal. While Lambda Legal has for years maintained a legal docket with transgender cases, the additional resources will allow Lambda Legal to focus more attention on health care, identity documents, family law and workplace equality issues that will bring much-needed legal clarity for transgender people. Calls to Lambda Legal’s Legal Help Desk on transgender issues increased 70 percent last year. Last summer Lambda Legal, together with National Youth Advocacy Coalition published “Bending the Mold: An Action Kit for Transgender Youth” to help transgender young people understand their rights.

Earning his JD from Northeastern University School of Law in Boston Thaler has worked to bring the rights of transgender people to the fore in all aspects of life and law. He is the co-founder of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition and comes to Lambda Legal from The Law Firm of Edward F. Berlin P.C. in Greenfield, MA, where he worked on general civil litigation and litigation strategy. "My experience as both a member of and an advocate for the transgender community informs all of the work that I do, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to devote my energies to the movement full-time,” said Thaler. “Lambda has a strong commitment to litigation and public education around issues of gender identity and gender expression, and I look forward to advancing and expanding the scope of the organization's work.” Thaler will work out of Lambda Legal’s Southern Regional Office in Atlanta. This fall, Lambda Legal will also have a law fellow working on transgender issues in sex-segregated facilities such as group homes and shelters.

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Lisa Hardaway 212-809-8585 ext.266; Cell: 402-369-2104

Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.