LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUCATION FUND INC
Programs
Lambda Legal Advocacy Program
FOUNDED IN 1972, LAMBDA LEGAL IS A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO ACHIEVING FULL RECOGNITION OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF LESBIANS, GAY MEN, BISEXUALS, TRANSGENDER, QUEER/QUESTIONING PEOPLE (LGBTQ+), AND ALL PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV (PLWH) THROUGH IMPACT LITIGATION, EDUCATION AND PUBLIC POLICY WORK. OUR ATTORNEYS ADVOCATE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY FROM CRADLE TO GRAVEAND ALL PERSONS AFFECTED BY HIV, ESPECIALLY THOSE LIVING AT THE INTERSECTION OF DISCRIMINATION AND MARGINALIZATION, INCLUDING PEOPLE OF COLOR AND LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS. WE WORK WITH LIKE-MINDED GROUPS AND LEADERS TO DEVELOP AND GARNER SUPPORT FOR STATE AND LOCAL POLICIES TO ACHIEVE THESE ENDS. OUR IMPACT LITIGATION AND POLICY WORK PROTECT THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES (E.G., LGBTQ+ STUDENTS, LGBTQ+ YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE, TRANSGENDER PEOPLE, COMMUNITIES OF COLOR IN THE SOUTH, AND INCARCERATED PLWH) AND PREVENTS FUTURE DISCRIMINATION. IN COMPLIANCE WITH IRS 501(C)(3) REGULATIONS, WE WORK WITH ALLIED LAWMAKERS TO CRITIQUE, EDIT AND/OR IMPROVE DRAFT LEGISLATION AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL THAT WOULD IMPACT OUR COMMUNITIES. IN DOZENS OF STATES EACH YEAR, OUR ATTORNEYS ALSO DIRECTLY ASSIST STATE-BASED AND GRASSROOTS ACTIVISTS, PROVIDING LEGAL EXPERTISE, SUGGESTED STRATEGIES, EFFECTIVE MESSAGING AND EXPERT WITNESSES, SO THESE PARTNERS CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN THE FIGHT FOR LIVED EQUALITY. LAMBDA LEGAL PROVIDES EXPERT LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND SUPPORT TO OUR CLIENTS; TRANSLATES VICTORIES INTO HUMAN TERMS TO WIN IN THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION; AND ENSURES A RAPID RESPONSE TO LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES THAT THREATEN THE WELLBEING OF MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV.WE DO SO BY MONITORING STATE LEGISLATURES AND FEDERAL LAW; LITIGATING WHEN THE RIGHTS OF THE TRANSGENDER AND NON-BINARY COMMUNITY ARE THREATENED; MAKING STRATEGIC DECISIONS ON ENGAGEMENT TO DETERMINE JURISDICTIONS WHERE WE HAVE A GREATER CHANCE OF WINNING; CONTINUING PARTNERSHIPS WITH SIBLING ORGANIZATIONS AND ALLIES;AND DEVELOPING AND DEPLOYING A ROBUST COMMUNICATION STRATEGY. IN 2024, THERE WERE MORE THAN 530 ANTI-LGBTQ+ BILLS INTRODUCED IN STATE LEGISLATURES, MANY OF WHICH TOOK AIM AT LGBTQ+ YOUTH IN THE GUISE OF "PROTECTING FAMILY VALUES": PROPOSALS TO INVESTIGATE FAMILIES OF TRANSGENDER CHILDREN, EFFORTS TO BAR OR CRIMINALIZE HEALTHCARE FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH, PROHIBIT ACCESS TO GENDER-APPROPRIATE FACILITIES LIKE RESTROOMS, RESTRICT TRANSGENDER STUDENTS' ABILITY TO FULLY PARTICIPATE IN SCHOOL AND SPORTS, OR TO PUT MORE ROADBLOCKS IN PLACE FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE SEEKING IDENTITY DOCUMENTS WITH THEIR NAME AND GENDER. WE WERE FORCED ONTO THE DEFENSIVE IN MANY PLACES AND HAD TO FILE SUITS RAPIDLY TO COUNTER THESE NEW LAWS. OUR 2024 LITIGATION AND POLICY WORK CONTINUED TO ALIGN WITH THE TWO TOP PROGRAMMATIC PRIORITIES OF OUR 5-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN: (1) WINNING NEW PROTECTIONS FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO SECURE FULL LEGAL AND LIVED EQUALITY, AND (2) DEFENDING OUR COMMUNITY FROM ATTACKS DESIGNED TO ROLL BACK OUR RIGHTS.WE SUCCESSFULLY BROUGHT L.W. V. SKRMETTI TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT TO CHALLENGE TENNESSEE'S BAN ON GENDER AFFIRMING MEDICAL CARE FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH. ON JUNE 18, 2025, IN A 6 3 DECISION, THE COURT UPHELD THE LAW, ALLOWING IT TO REMAIN IN EFFECT. DESPITE THE DECISION, LAMBDA LEGAL CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR TRANSGENDER RIGHTS THROUGH LITIGATION IN OTHER STATES, POLICY ADVOCACY, AND PUBLIC EDUCATION TO ENSURE ACCESS TO LIFE-SAVING HEALTH CARE FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH NATIONWIDE. WE WON A 10TH CIRCUIT APPEALS COURT RULING OVERTURNING OKLAHOMA'S DISCRIMINATORY BIRTH CERTIFICATE POLICY THAT PROHIBITED TRANSGENDER PEOPLE FROM CORRECTING THEIR GENDER MARKER; PETITIONED THE 9TH CIRCUIT TO REJECT BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF ILLINOIS' ARGUMENT THAT THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT'S NONDISCRIMINATION PROTECTIONS DO NOT APPLY TO THIRD-PARTY ADMINISTRATORS; AND WON A 4TH CIRCUIT RULING PROHIBITING NORTH CAROLINA AND WEST VIRGINIA FROM DENYING TRANSGENDER PEOPLE COVERAGE FOR GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE. WE ALSO SECURED COVERAGE FOR A RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEE'S GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE AFTER AN 8-YEAR BATTLE WITH THE EEOC; SUED TO BLOCK LOUISIANA'S BAN ON GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE FOR MINORS AND THE ASSOCIATED PUNISHMENTS FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS; PREVENTED ENFORCEMENT OF MONTANA'S LAW THREATENING THE HEALTH OF TRANSGENDER YOUTH BY DENYING ACCESS TO GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE; AND STOPPED MISSOURI'S "EMERGENCY RULE" THAT WOULD HAVE BANNED GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE AND CRIMINALIZED PROVIDERS. OUR NATIONAL LEGAL HELP DESK CONTINUED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES TO OVER 4500 CALLERS RELATING TO DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY AND GENDER EXPRESSION, AND HIV STATUS.TO EXPAND THE REACH AND SCALE OF ITS LITIGATION AND POLICY WORK, AND LEVERAGE THE EXPERTISE OF ITS INTERNAL SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, LAMBDA LEGAL RECRUITS, ORGANIZES AND OVERSEES THE WORK OF A LARGE NETWORK OF PRO BONO LAWYERS AND LAW FIRMS AROUND THE COUNTRY TO HELP IN OUR WORK. ASSEMBLING AND MANAGING THESE PRO BONO SERVICES IS A KEY COMPONENT OF OUR STRATEGY AND PROGRAM SERVICES. IT ALLOWS LAMBDA LEGAL TO EXPAND THE SCALE OF OUR ESSENTIAL, HIGH QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES NATIONWIDE WITH A MODEST STAFF, AND ENABLES US TO FOCUS OUR INTERNAL RESOURCES AS NEEDED TO A VARIETY OF BREAKING LEGAL ISSUES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THIS WORK ALSO TRAINS AND EXPANDS THE POOL OF PRO BONO ATTORNEYS AVAILABLE AROUND THE COUNTRY TO ADVANCE THE WORK OF PROTECTING AND EXPANDING THE RIGHTS OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY ON AN ON-GOING BASIS. THE VALUE OF THESE PRO BONO SERVICES IS INCLUDED IN OUR AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND WAS $8,538,510 IN 2024. IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS, REVENUE AND EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF OUR PROGRAM SERVICES ARE NOT REFLECTED IN THE REVENUE AND EXPENSES SET FORTH IN PART IX STATEMENT OF FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES OF THE 990. NEVERTHELESS, WE BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT FOR LAMBDA LEGAL CONSTITUENTS TO BE INFORMED OF THIS WORK AND ITS IMPACT.IN 2024, THE STATEMENT OF FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES REPORTED IN LAMBDA LEGAL'S AUDITED FINANCIAL REPORTS, WHICH ARE PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES AND MADE AVAILABLE ON LAMBDA LEGAL'S WEBSITE, INCLUDES $8,538,510 OF PRO BONO SERVICES AS PROGRAM EXPENSES. THIS COMPUTES TO A PROGRAM RATIO OF 70%.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$11.2MPublic Education and Communication Initiatives
OUR LEGAL WORK IS SUPPORTED BY EXPANSIVE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION EFFORTS THAT ALLOW US TO REACH A WIDE RANGE OF AUDIENCES ACROSS MULTIPLE CHANNELS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. LAMBDA LEGAL'S COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT'S EXPERTISE IN PRINT, BROADCAST, AND SOCIAL MEDIA HELPS LAMBDA LEGAL TO REACH NOT JUST MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY AND ALL THOSE LIVING WITH HIV, BUT ALSO EXTENDS TO OPINION SHAPERS, LAWMAKERS, AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL COMMUNITY. WE ALSO RELEASED A GROUND-BREAKING REPORT, "SAFE HAVENS: CLOSING THE GAP BETWEEN RECOMMENDED PRACTICE AND REALITY FOR TRANSGENDER AND GENDER-EXPANSIVE YOUTH IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE", THAT OFFERED STRATEGIES THAT PROMOTE WELL-BEING FOR TGNB YOUTH IN CHILD WELFARE, JUVENILE JUSTICE, AND HOMELESS SYSTEMS, AND FOCUSED ON THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF YOUTH IN CARE, AS WELL ASPUBLISHED "THE ALARMING IMPACT OF TRUMP'S ANTI-LGBTQ FEDERAL JUDGES", DETAILING THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF THESE FEDERAL JUDGES ON LGBTQ+ CIVIL RIGHTS. LAMBDA LEGAL MAINTAINED A ROBUST ONLINE PRESENCE THAT PROVIDED COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCES, TIMELY NEWS, ANALYSIS, AND COMMENTARY ACROSS MULTIPLE PLATFORMS, INCLUDING OUR WEBSITE, AS WELL AS FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, YOUTUBE, MEDIUM AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS. THROUGH THESE PLATFORMS, LAMBDA LEGAL HAS PUBLISHED HUNDREDS OF PIECES OF CONTENT THAT CAN REACH OVER A MILLION OR MORE PEOPLE EVERY WEEK. OUR INNOVATIVE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM CONTINUED TO CREATE AND SHARE PROJECTS INCLUDING OUR SUCCESSFUL SPEAK OUT SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN, FEATURING UPLIFTING TRANSGENDER AND NONBINARY VOICE AND OUR POST-ELECTION UPDATE: THE FIGHT AHEAD BRIEFING, HOSTED ON YOUTUBE, WHICH ATTRACTED MORE THAN 700 PARTICIPANTS ONLINE AND MORE THAN 2,000 VIEWS. THESE COMBINED EFFORTS GENERATE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF NEWS STORIES ANNUALLY AND ADVANCE OUR GOAL OF INCREASING AWARENESS OF THE CHALLENGES LGBTQ+ PEOPLE FACE AND OUR WORK TO ALLEVIATE THOSE CHALLENGES, AS WELL AS GREATER UNDERSTANDING WITHIN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY OF THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS. WHERE POSSIBLE, WE USE ATTENTION AROUND OUR LITIGATION AND POLICY EFFORTS TO PROMOTE BROADER PUBLIC EDUCATION ON IMPORTANT ISSUES. FOR EXAMPLE, OUR HIV WORK PROMOTES OUR LARGER EFFORT TO DRIVE POLICY INFORMED BY "SCIENCE, NOT STIGMA." WE DO PUBLIC EDUCATION BUILDING ON OUR CASES ON BEHALF OF TRANSGENDER YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES TO SUPPORT GREATER UNDERSTANDING AND EMPATHY FOR THIS VULNERABLE POPULATION. OUR LARGE PORTFOLIO OF CASES CHALLENGING EFFORTS TO DILUTE NONDISCRIMINATION PROTECTIONS AGAINST ANTI-LGBTQ+ DISCRIMINATION THROUGH THE USE OF RELIGION AND SPEECH-BASED ARGUMENTS CONTRIBUTE TO A LARGER EFFORT TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THE ONGOING PROBLEM OF DISCRIMINATION AND THE NEED FOR ROBUST PROTECTIONS AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT. LAMBDA LEGAL'S ATTORNEYS AND OTHER STAFF ATTEND AND SPEAK FREQUENTLY AT LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL CONFERENCES AND OTHER PUBLIC EVENTS, IN ADDITION TO VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION VIA PLATFORMS CREATED BY LAMBDA LEGAL ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS TO ENSURE CONTINUITY IN OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION EFFORTS.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$7.1M
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