Feel Good Friday - Transgender Law Center

As Pride Month comes to a close this year, we’re wrapping it up with a spotlight on Transgender Law Center.

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in California, Transgender Law Center (TLC) is “the largest national trans-led organization advocating for self-determination for all people.” The work they do “changes law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression.” Watch this 5-minute overview video, We Win Together, to hear from participants, or keep reading to learn more.

Guided by the Trans Agenda for Liberation, the legal work done by TLC focuses on several areas. The Impact Litigation team uses lawsuits and advocacy to fight the criminalization of trans lives, the Legal Services Project shares legal information and resources to equip trans people to assert their rights, and Border Butterflies provide legal and humanitarian support to LGBTQ+ asylum seekers at the U.S. southern border

Additional programs include: Black Trans Circles, healing justice spaces for Black trans women in the South and Midwest; Positively Trans, a group that addresses inequities, stigma and discrimination of those living with HIV; the Gender Justice Leadership Project, a youth leadership and storytelling program; and the Disability Project, a program that magnifies the leadership, collective power and visibility of trans and queer disabled communities.

In addition to all the programming, TLC runs a Legal Information Helpdesk, which provides basic information “across many areas, including employment, health care, housing, civil rights, immigration, prisoners’ rights, and identity document changes.” The website also has resources grouped by issue area such as health, housing or employment.

The most recent annual report shows the impact this work is having. In 2021, TLC responded to more than 1200 Helpdesk requests, provided over 98,000 website visitors with legal resources, litigated 9 impact cases, filed 19 amicus briefs and trained 495 transgender actives and allies.

If you’d like to help TLC increase their impact this year, there are many ways to do so. Attorneys can volunteer as part of the Attorney Solidarity Network to provide legal advice or representation to trans people in their area. The rest of us can make a donation and spread the word on social media. Follow Transgender Law Center on Facebook, on Twitter @TransLawCenter and on Instagram @translawcenter.