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National Center for LGBTQ Rights

@nclrights.bsky.social

Since 1977, we’ve been the lawyers and advocates behind some of our nation’s most significant LGBTQ+ civil rights victories. Based in San Francisco, CA

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National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · 5h ago

Here to stay.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · 2d ago

This week and always, NCLR is committed to increasing visibility, accelerating acceptance, and supporting our full community. Happy Bi Awareness Week!

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · 6d ago

Some LGBTQ good news! 🎬 Lesbian characters and storylines will be centered in both the forthcoming Broadway play Small Mouth Sounds and in a romantic-comedy titled Honeymoon/Funeral. Let's go lesbians!

Movie - Honeymoon/Funeral. Two women who meet on a flight from Los Angeles to London - one en route to her honeymoon by herself after being left at the altar by her girlfriend, the other headed home for her mother’s funeral – and wind up spending the week together.

The film is directed by Nahnatchka Khan and is now currently in production.

A film still featuring the two characters embracing each other and looking forward is at the side of the graphic

Broadway Small Mouth Sounds. Sarah Paulson and Julia Roberts will play a lesbian couple who are among a group of strangers at an upstate spiritual retreat determined transform their lives. It does not go according to plan.

Three-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello is directing.

The show's broadway poster featuring the actor's names and a frog with a thought bubble is at the side of the graphic

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · last wk.

This week, we have shared a just a few stories out of the thousands of clients that NCLR's LGBTQ immigration program - Hogar {Home} - has assisted since its inception in 1994. Here is another one - the story of a young LGBTQ family from El Salvador.

Joaquin* and Carolina* and their children Lisandro*and Belen* faced violence in El Salvador for being who they are. Joaquin and Carolina are both transgender and lived in constant threat of detention or physical violence if stopped by police or the military forces and asked for identification. Once, a soldier threatened to arrest Joaquin for being part of an ‘illicit group’ – being transgender. He was terrified to be jailed indefinitely and face extreme physical violence while detained.

Joaquin and Carolina made the difficult decision to flee El Salvador in 2022 with their young baby and leave Joaquin’s daughter Belen with her grandmother. After a long and arduous journey, the young family arrived in the United States and with the help of NCLR were granted asylum. We are now preparing to apply for permanent residency for all three family members who are present in the U.S. and have submitted a petition to bring Belen home to her parents.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · last wk.

Inspired by our clients' stories? Join this important work. NCLR's immigration program - Hogar {Home} - is looking for a full-time staff attorney to lead this program and represent clients in affirmative and defensive asylum proceedings. Apply: bit.ly/nclrhiring

Flor* is a lesbian who faced ongoing harassment and threats of violence over her sexuality and masculine gender presentation from a young age in El Salvador.

Throughout her life, Flor suffered violent physical and sexual attacks from people in her community who wanted to “teach her to like men” while authorities looked the other way.

Unable to escape increasing hostility and abuse, Flor fled El Salvador to seek asylum in the United States and has spent nearly 10 years awaiting a decision.

For more than a decade, NCLR has assisted Flor in navigating various hurdles in her path towards legal status, safety, and dignity, including advocating on her behalf with her employers while waiting for her renewed work permit.

If you are inspired by our clients’ stories and want to make a real impact for LGBTQ asylum seekers, please apply to our Hogar Program Staff Attorney open position: bit.ly/nclrhiring

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · last wk.

Hogar {Home}, NCLR’s immigration program, was launched in 1994, the same year the U.S. recognized that immigrants facing persecution on the basis of their sexual orientation could seek protection as refugees and asylees in the United States.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · 2w ago

Read the full piece over at the @washblade.bsky.social: https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/09/03/opinion-trans-people-politics-ordinary-life/

Transgender people are only about 0.8 percent of the adult population. Yet transgender Americans occupy an extraordinary amount of the country’s political attention.

Behind those political arguments are millions of people doing profoundly ordinary things.

We commute to work. We complain about rent. We walk our dogs. We sit in traffic. We buy groceries. We fall in love with people who sometimes disappoint us. We worry about our parents getting older. We try to make enough money to retire. We drink coffee before work and wonder what to make for dinner.
For many transgender Americans, mundane life remains harder to obtain than it should be.

The most radical future I can imagine for transgender Americans is therefore surprisingly conventional: a country in which being transgender can become one fact among hundreds about a person rather than the organizing principle of a life.

Perhaps the ultimate measure of transgender equality will not be how frequently America talks about transgender people. It will be the day when it no longer has to.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · 2w ago

As an organization rooted in intersectional feminist principles, it's impossible not to feel Gloria Steinem’s influence. She was a fierce advocate for legal abortion access, racial equity, equal opportunity, and family leave—even when these things seemed implausible.

A black and white photo of a 30-something Gloria Steinem. She looks directly in the camera with a serious, but soft look in her face and wears a white t-shirt.

In purple are the words: 1934-2026. Gloria Steinem. Feminist, thought leader, writer and activist

Photo: Lynn Gilbert

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · 2w ago

Two ways for you to catch up with NCLR President Imani Rupert-Gordon this week: 1. Listen to Tom LeNoble's podcast, Opening Pathways

Author and Speaker Tom LeNoble talks with NCLR President
Imani Rupert-Gordon

A photo of tom LeNoble black short sleeve button down. He sits, clasping his hands and smiles looking sideways.

A photo of Imani in a green and black striped shirt. She smiles at the camera.

An arrow is across both photos, the words "Listen and Read" is on top of it.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · 2w ago

Message from NCLR President Imani Rupert-Gordon: "Yesterday, Cameron Davis Capara and Vincent Anthony Siqueiros were killed outside of Tucson's Venture-N, a safe place for local LGBTQ+ community members to be exactly who they are.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · 3w ago

The Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday to clear the way for the Pentagon to fire decorated transgender troops who have so far beaten the government in court.

Screenshot of the Advocate article with the headline: Trump asks Supreme Court to intervene ahead of trial so the Pentagon can fire transgender troops
The administration wants the justices to overturn protections for decorated transgender service members before their case reaches trial.

In June, a D.C. Circuit panel preserved an injunction protecting the currently serving plaintiffs from discharge.

Judges Robert Wilkins and Judith Rogers concluded that the plaintiffs were likely to win because the policy appeared rooted in hostility rather than military necessity.

Judge Robert Wilkins wrote that the ban on transgender military service appeared driven by a bare desire to harm transgender people.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · 3w ago

U.S. District Judge David Hittner included Dolly Parton is his decision that struck down Texas's ban on drag this past Tuesday.

A black and white photo of Dolly Parton. Her hair is big and curled. She touches her face with both hands and smiles at the camera.

Texas drag ban struck down as unconstitutional--and the judge cited Dolly Parton in his ruling

In the fight against the Texas Drag ban is Brigitte Bandit - a queen who impersonates Dolly Parton and was given a custom rhinestoned guitar from Parton for her work against the ban.

“With the heightened femininity and the way that she spreads a message of love and self-acceptance and acceptance of other people. I think a lot of queer people can relate to Dolly and see themselves in her, you know, with the way that she fights societal norms and expectations.”

A photo of Judge Hittner at his desk. He holds up a little placard that reads "enthusiasm".

Texas’s drag ban - or Senate Bill 12 - was passed in 2023. Since then, it has been blocked, unblocked, and reassessed. On Tuesday, August 25, U.S. District Judge David Hittner once again declared the law unconstitutional.

“Finally, for those who find such activities as described in this case offensive, the solution is relatively simple... just don't go.”

A photo of Dolly Parton in a white sparkly dress. She has a microphone headset on and appears to be talking or singing.

Hittner said the law was so vague, that Dolly Parton herself could have been criminalized.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · last mo.

This November, Jaelyn Scott could become the country's first openly trans Black woman elected to a state legislature. Read more from @erininthemorning.com: https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/washington-is-poised-to-elect-the

Screenshot from a 'Erin In the Morning' article: Washington Is Poised To Elect The First Out Black Trans Woman To A State Legislature In The US
“We will not let authoritarians dictate how we legislate in this state,” Jaelynn Scott said. By: s. baum

“As a Black trans woman, I’ve faced many of the same challenges others in QT2BIPOC and marginalized communities face — unstable housing, barriers to employment, addiction, and ideologically motivated violence and threats to our civil liberties.”

“Jaelynn Scott is paving the way for Black, transgender women and girls in Washington.”-Author S.Baum
Scott secured the Democratic nomination for Washington’s 37th legislative district, located in Seattle, earlier this month. This November, she is projected to as the winner, which would make her the first openly trans Black woman to be elected to a state legislature in the country.

Scott sits in a pink blazer on a bench.

In a blue blazer and green glasses, Jaelynn Scott smiles.
on purple strips are the words:
Executive Director of the Lavender Rights Project.
Grew up in a Black Christian tradition in Mississippi.
Guided by lived experiences as someone who has faced obstacles as a QT2BIPOC person.

Sasquaatch68 @sasquaatch68.bsky.social · last mo.

Trump’s administration is uncaring & heartless with it’s implementation of anti-trans policies We must all push back against such destructive actions 🏳️‍⚧️✊🏼✊🏾✊🏻✊🏽

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights.bsky.social · last mo.

NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter breaks down this week’s new Medicaid rule for TIME. https://time.com/article/2026/08/12/trans-youth-face-a-new-barrier-to-gender-affirming-care-medicaid/

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · last mo.

Read the full piece in @theatlantic.com: Piece published in The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/10/trump-white-house-transgender-mike-pence/688284/?gift=nLLoo1Qt8FrX6hXNns5mOYZTBMWPDPB9M4nDAuVXFfA&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share

Purple graphic. A screenshot of The Atlantic article with the headline " The Wrong Kind of American
The Trump White House needed me—until the fact that I am trans became public." By Julia Curlee

In the White House, people called me “indispensable.” I still was not welcome in their bathrooms.

A picture of Julia, poised in a white top and a black blazer.

Then these leaders stripped my insurance coverage for the estrogen that keeps me healthy, voided my discrimination protections, and declared me “male” to foreign governments on my passport. I would keep briefing them anyway.
A picture of Julia, poised in a white top and a black blazer.

A photo of Julia briefing Mike Pence

The White House had needed me. Trump officials had known I was trans from day one. This hadn’t been an issue until it was public—and then nothing else I’d done mattered. Not my service, not my war-zone tours, not even which restroom I used. I was the wrong kind of American.
A picture of Julia, poised in a white top and a black blazer.

Now my photo hangs as an artifact of a time when the CIA proudly said the quality of the work was more important than the gender of
the person doing it.

A picture of Julia, poised in a white top and a black blazer.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · last mo.

Join us in calling for the release of Philadelphia drag queen Chantal Waldorf from ICE detention! https://www.advocate.com/news/philadelphia-drag-queen-ice-custody

ICE detains Philadelphia drag queen and fashion designer Chantal Waldorf

Chantal is in drag in a yellow shiny outfit

“As you know, since he arrived in this country, he has dedicated himself to being a hardworking person, who has dedicated himself to fulfilling his dreams and goals, who has integrated and contributed in a positive way to society, fulfilling his obligations like everyone else.”
- Message shared on Chantal Waldorf’s Instagram account

A black and white photo of Chantal in drag

“Unfortunately, today he has been arrested and is in the custody of ICE, sadly the constant fear of deportation today is coming true for Chantal and the frustration of not being able to fulfill all his dreams and stop doing what he likes most: turning his creative imagination of fashion into reality and doing drag are being taken away from him, however he still has the conviction to fight for his place in this country.”

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · last mo.

NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter breaks down this week’s new Medicaid rule for TIME. https://time.com/article/2026/08/12/trans-youth-face-a-new-barrier-to-gender-affirming-care-medicaid/

“In order to qualify for this care, a young person has to be experiencing very severe, prolonged distress.

I think maybe some people have the misconception that this care is being provided to kids just who are gender nonconforming or who are just identifying as transgender, but that is not the case.”-NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter for Time

a cut out black and white photo of Shannon in a suit is at the bottom. The background of the graphic is a light purple paper texture.

“[The Trump Administration] thinks that the proper policy is to prevent and discourage people from being transgender. That’s not actually possible.

The policies they are implementing would just force transgender people to not transition, would force transgender people to just suppress and deny who they are and suffer.”
-NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter for Time
cut out black and white photo of Shannon in a suit is at the bottom. The background of the graphic is a light purple paper texture.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · last mo.

In his resignation letter from the CDC, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis said he was “unable to serve in an environment that treats CDC as a tool to generate policies and materials that do not reflect scientific reality and are designed to hurt rather than to improve the public’s health.”

UNCLOSETED MEDIA. Investigating hate. Amplifying Everyday Heros.

Last summer, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis LEFT the CDC in protest of Trump’s and RFK Jr.’s scientifically questionable, politically motivated views.

A screenshot from an 2025 article by Christopher Wiggins. "Out CDC vaccine chief resigns, saying ‘enough is enough’ with Trump and RFK Jr.
Dr. Demetre Daskalakis is one of the most respected LGBTQ+ public health officials"

UNCLOSETED MEDIA talked with Daskalakis about his story.

Dr. Demetre Daskalakis
Infectious disease physician
Previous director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
Previous director of the Division of HIV Prevention at the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
2022-2023 deputy coordinator of the White House's mpox response

Dr. Demetre Daskalakis resigned from the CDC because he was
“unable to serve in an environment that treats CDC as a tool to generate policies and materials that do not reflect scientific reality and are designed to hurt rather than to improve the public’s health.”

Listen to the whole story. Uncloseted Media

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · last mo.

Today, the Trump administration released a new Medicaid rule that puts kids at risk and punishes families.

The Trump administration just dropped a rule barring families on Medicaid from receiving health care for their transgender kids.

This administration is making it harder for low-income families to get the care they need.

A screenshot from an Axios article: "Trump admin cuts Medicaid funds for youth trans care" by Maya Goldman. A photo of a protest sign saying "Trans Kids Deserve Care"

California and other states have already announced they will challenge this cruel ban in court.

"If the Trump administration can take health care away from one group, they can take it away from anyone.

This administration promised to make things better and more affordable for hard-working families, but time and time again, it denies people health care, takes decisions away from parents, and puts our kids at risk." - Shannon Minter NCLR Legal Director

A photo of Shannon in court

Restless1125 @restless1125.bsky.social · last mo.

#minter #minterland What a wonderful moment in history. I’m so glad these courageous women were recognized. 💪♥️🥰

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights.bsky.social · last mo.

Learn more: https://www.transgenderhistorymonth.com/ 🏳️‍⚧️

Blurred pink and blue graphic. On top is are pieces of pink paper. Each paper has a word: August is Transgender History Mont

Sasquaatch68 @sasquaatch68.bsky.social · last mo.

We should all be learning about this history 🏳️‍⚧️

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights.bsky.social · last mo.

Learn more: https://www.transgenderhistorymonth.com/ 🏳️‍⚧️

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · last mo.

Learn more: https://www.transgenderhistorymonth.com/ 🏳️‍⚧️

Blurred pink and blue graphic. On top is are pieces of pink paper. On the paper are the words On August 24th, 2021, Transgender History Month became recognized in San Francisco after advocacy efforts led by activist Jupiter Peraza and The Transgender District. In 2023, the entire state of California recognized this important month. A picture of Jupiter Peraza takes up a large amount of space

Black and white photos from Compton's. One is of the outside street view. One is inside where a group of women dine.

On a pink piece of paper: Transgender History Month is recognized in August, because during this month in 1966, Black and Brown trans women and drag queens started and led a riot against police harassment at Compton’s Cafeteria in San Francisco. Compton’s was a gathering space for queer and trans performers and workers in the Tenderloin neighboorhood.

Read more about Transgender History Month and learn about influential figures: transgenderhistorymonth.com

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · last mo.

It's giving gay Love Island. Congrats to Olympian Gus Kenworthy and Andrew Rigby for their recent engagement! 🥰 https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/08/06/gay-olympian-gus-kenworthy-engaged-to-boyfriend-andrew-rigby/

Congrats to Olympic freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy and his partner Andrew Rigby who just got engaged!

Andrew kisses Gus on the cheek. Gus in a ski competition uniform and the photo appears to have been taken post-race.

The Olympian surprised his partner with a private dinghy that brought them to an island hike. At the top, there was a picnic blanket and a pitcher of margaritas waiting for them. That’s where he popped the question.

In a large seaside grassy field, Andrew holds Gus's face. they stand on a red picnic blanket

Gus went one step further and had their friends on a boat to have a surprise celebration party.

A group of friends gather on a boat. the photo is taken from the back of the boat. It is on the ocean.

Congrats to these two!

Andrew holds Gus's face. A blurred sunset is in the background.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · last mo.

We know that's right! 👏 Amid viral conversations following Sophie Cunningham's anti-trans comments, Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries adds to the growing number of WNBA voices who are outweighing hate with love and support. We love to see it.

Trans rights, right now, is our new battle. I would welcome a trans athlete on
my team or against my team, anytime. During an interview with the Local W, power forward for the Golden State Valkyries Gabby Williams adds to the growing voices in the WNBA advocating for transgender athletes. Her statement comes amid viral discussions sparked by Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham’s anti-trans comments.
Gabby Williams in a GSV jersey smiles and looks down

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · last mo.

Alarming comments today from the Trump administration's new CDC Director. These comments are not based on any evidence and are particularly egregious given that many women have died or nearly died after being denied care because of state-level abortion bans.

Screenshot from a HuffPost article: Trump’s New CDC Head Said ‘Abortion Surveillance’ Will Be A Critical Focus
There is no evidence that states are purposefully misclassifying abortion data to the CDC.
By: Alanna Vagianos

From NCLR: These comments are not based on any evidence and are particularly egregious given that many women have died or nearly died after being denied care because of state-level abortion bans.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · last mo.

Celebrating transgender representation at the box office this Transgender History Month.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Washington state's ballot initiative IL26-638 does NOT protect women and girl athletes. In fact, it could require all school-sports-playing girls to undergo genital exams in order to play.

Next Move ✨@sinbad1993.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Thank you for making history approachable through books. Lists like this do more than inform—they help people locate themselves in a living lineage of courage, creativity, and community. This deserves a wide readership. 🏳️‍⚧️📚

TransLash Media @translash.org · 2mo ago

August is Transgender History Month! The history of trans and gender-nonconforming folks is the history of America and the world, despite it being consistently overlooked. NCLR has compiled a short reading list that highlights these voices and their stories. 📸 @nclrights.bsky.social

National Center for LGBTQ Rights @nclrights.bsky.social · 2mo ago

"The Pentagon has treated the trans separation hearings with levels of security and silence usually reserved for state secrets. They take place behind closed doors on military bases. There are no cameras and no transcripts; the public is not allowed to attend."

33-year-old transgender Army captain named Kai Proce wearing his uniform stares directly into the camera in front of a brick wall.

The New York Times headline reads "Inside the Secretive Boards Deciding Trans Troops’ Fate
The Pentagon is relying on closed-door hearings to kick out transgender service members. An Army Reserve lawyer is one of the few who have seen how they really work."