National Center for LGBTQ Rights

@nclrights

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· 9h

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· 1d

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· 1d

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· 3d

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

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· 4d

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

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· 6d

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· 7d

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· 8d

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· 9d

Congrats to these two actors!

Congratulations Elliot Page & Maikol Roque.

A photo of Elliot Page at 'The Odyssey' premiere. A photo of Maikol standing with two other people seemingly at a film related event.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· 9d

Esteemed actor Elliot Page plays a core role in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· 9d

Maikol Roque is part of a growing number of trans people cast in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· 9d

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

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· 10d

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.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· 11d

"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."

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· 13d

Learn more about transgender history and identity this Transgender History Month through these books. Happy reading! 🏳️‍⚧️📚

Books to read during Transgender History Month.

Screenshots of three books: "Transgender History" by Susan Stryker, "So Many Stars" by Caro De Robertis, "Before We Were Trans" by Kit Heyman

So Many Stars By: Caro De Robertis

From an acclaimed novelist, a first-of-its-kind, deeply personal, and moving oral history of a generation of trans and gender nonconforming elders of color--from leading activists to artists to ordinary citizens--who tell their own stories of breathtaking courage, cultural innovations, and acts of resistance.

Transgender History By Susan Stryker

Covering American transgender history from the mid-twentieth century to today, Transgender History takes a chronological approach to the subject of transgender history, with each chapter covering major movements, writings, and events.

Before We Were Trans By: Kit Heyam

Blending historical analysis with sharp cultural criticism, trans historian and activist Kit Heyam offers a new, radically inclusive trans history, chronicling expressions of trans experience that are often overlooked, like gender-nonconforming fashion and wartime stage performance.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· 15d

This is why we love the @wnba.com.🥰

Headline social media post from OutSports. A photo of Paige Bueckers on court. "Nearly half of the 2026 WNBA All-Stars are publicly out LGBTQ athletes"

Headline social media graphic from them. "Seattle Storm's Stefanie Dolson Mogs Failed Sophie Cunningham Rally" By James Factora.

Stefanie motions to her "Trans Rights are Human Rights" tshirt.

A headline social media graphic from essence gu. "Angel Reese Becomes First Black WNBA player with her own Barbie Doll!

Angel in all pink holds up her Barbie wearing a pink basketball uniform. In her other hand, she holds a pink basketball with "Barbie" written on it.

WNBA All-Star Attendance was higher than the NBA's for the first time ever.

Rookie Olivia Miles goes in for a dunk.

@justwomenssports

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· 16d

Last night at the 101st National Bar Association convention, NCLR President Imani Rupert-Gordon received the Exemplary Service Luminary Award from the LGBTQ+ Division for her outstanding service to produce measurable change for Black and Brown LGBTQ+ individuals.

On a purple graphic: National Bar Association Honors NCLR's Imani Rupert-Gordon for Creating Change for
Black and Brown LGBTQ+ People

Imani stands with another awardee, Judege Rachel Bell, and Noelle Allen

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· 17d

In a show of grief, rage, solidarity, & love, thousands of people attended a vigil for the victims of the tragedy at Berlin's Christopher Street Day Pride celebration this past weekend. We are in solidarity with LGBTQ siblings in Berlin. Our community will continue to be strong, visible, & proud.

A candle light vigil is in front of a lit rainbow building with the words "berlin, Stadt der Freiheit" projected onto it.

A close up of the vigil. There are flowers, and heart with 25.07.26 in the middle. Love is the answer is written under the heart

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· 23d

How many sapphic couples are about to U-Haul their way to Bride Pride? 👀👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩🚚 🌈 https://www.bridepridestpete.com/

Years ago, when Ilene Mitnick and Alli Baldwin wanted to renew their vows, they decided to do so in a big way: by inviting couples from all around the world to join them.

Their invite turned into reality, when hundreds of women married or renewed their vows besides them.

Now, this all-women wedding is happening again.

A photo of Illene and Alli against a mural. Illene holds Alli and they smile.

Bride Pride will take place in
St. Petersburg, Florida on February 21, 2027.

Couples around the world are invited to join.

Photos from the first Bride Pride in Provincetown collage the bottom of the page. Many couples embrace each other and smile.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· 25d

We were at The National LGBTQ+ Bar Association's Lavender Law conference (the largest LGBTQ legal conference in the country) last week!

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· 27d

Today, NCLR’s Director of Racial and Economic Justice Initiatives TyrONE Hanley will be representing NCLR as community grand marshal at San Diego Pride! Scroll through to read what marching means for TyrONE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

This weekend! NCLR NAMED COMMUNITY GRAND MARSHAL AT SAN DIEGO PRIDE.

SAN DIEGO PRIDE PARADE
July 18, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Hillcrest

NCLR’s Director of Racial and Economic Justice Initiatives TyrONE Hanley will be representing NCLR:

“I march to celebrate the ways queer and trans people are living proof another world is possible and with everyday acts we manifest a more loving and peaceful world by being our authentic selves.”

A picture of TyrONE in a white shirt with the words "Queer as in abolish ICE" written in sharpie.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· 28d

The National Center for LGBTQ Rights and @gladlaw.bsky.social are moving quickly to oppose this latest effort from the Trump administration to pursue their baseless ban. Everyone who meets the standards should be able to serve, and that includes transgender servicemembers.

"We will oppose this request to stay the mandate.

It is particularly egregious that the administration is denying that the ban will cause our plaintiffs irreparable harm.”

- Shannon Minter, NCLR Legal Director, as quoted in The Advocate

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· 29d

You can't call it medicine for some and grounds for expulsion for others. That's not a health standard. That's a double standard.

“Mr. Hegseth’s recommendation that male service members take testosterone makes crystal clear that the policy banning transgender troops for taking the same medication is pure bias.

This is a blatant double standard and underscores the irrationality of the ban.” - Shannon Minter, NCLR Legal Director, as quoted in The New York Times. A picture of Shannon in a circle frame. He sits in a chair in front of a lowe coffee table.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· 29d

The Pentagon just announced it will screen every service member 30 and older for low testosterone — and offer them hormone therapy to treat it. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth calls it building a "High-T Department of War."

Screenshot of a New York Time's article. The headline is: Hegseth Plans to Screen All Troops, Including Women, for Low Testosterone.

A picture of hegseth in a blue suit looks intently to the side.

A yellow arrow is on top of the graphic with the words: NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter's response

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· Jul 14

Happy International Non-Binary People's Day! 💛🤍💜🖤 Today we celebrate the non-binary & gender non-conforming folks in our community. Non-binary people have created space outside of gender norms and have paved the way for all of us to live most authentically. Non-binary people have ALWAYS been here.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· Jul 10

NCLR & @gladlaw.bsky.social went to court to defend 17 transgender members of the Air Force who had their retirements ripped away by the Trump administration for no reason other than that they are trans. These courageous plaintiffs spent years earning these retirements to support their families.

A screenshot of a STARS AND STRIPES article. A photo of plaintiff Logan Ireland is in the top headline photo. Headline: Long-serving transgender service members seek retirement benefits in court challenge

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· Jul 8

Fight back: Get involved with your local ICE watch groups, know your rights, speak out. Get immigration legal support: nclrights.org/get-help

a blue skyed graphic with purple and pink butterflies.

For 30 years, NCLR's Hogar {Home} Project has helped LGBTQ immigrants fleeing persecution find safety in the U.S.

415-392-6257
Legal Helpline
Hogar (Home)

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· Jul 8

NCLR condemns the violence that ICE is enacting on our communities, and we echo U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia’s call for a complete and transparent accounting of what happened.

“The sad thing about all this is that it is not an isolated event. We have been here before and lives have been taken. We have given power and funds to this agency whose mission is to arrest as many as possible despite there being no due process.

Resorting to violence leaves families and communities broken and no one is held accountable for these acts.

We are all living in fear for ourselves and our loved ones.”
-Noemi Calonje, Director of NCLR's Hogar {Home}

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· Jul 8

Yesterday, ICE officers fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo – a Mexican immigrant - in Houston’s historic Mexican American and Latino immigrant neighborhood.

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in purple letters
Yesterday, ICE killed a father while he was driving a crew to a homebuilding site.

Lorenzo stands in front of a cake with a 5 and 2 candle sticking out of it. he smiles in a pink shirt

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo worked long hours to send his three kids to college, created jobs for others in his community, and he was in the process of working to secure his legal status.

a family member holds a picture of a Mexican motorist identified as Lorenzo Salgado Araujo who was fatally shot by an ICE agent, during a news conference in Houston

The Associated Press reports that federal officials have not released video or images of the shooting or the damage to the vehicles.

The victim's son joins civil rights groups and Democratic officials in urging authorities to release footage and other information.

a photo of sanctuary candles on the site of the ICE shooting

National Center for LGBTQ Rights@nclrights· Jul 4

Freedom is worth the fight. We're fighting for you. The National Center for LGBTQ Rights wishes you and your family a happy 4th.