Advocates in Action: Legal Heroes of the LGBTQ+ Rights Movement

Pride flags waiving in the wind in a blue sky with white clouds.

June is the Pride Month, a time to celebrate the courage, resilience, and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community while honoring the dedicated lawyers and legal advocates who have fought tirelessly in courtrooms across the nation to secure equal rights, marriage equality, anti-discrimination protections, and fundamental civil liberties for all.  

Influential LGBTQ+ Lawyers: 

1. Ruth Bader Ginsburg:  

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, born March 15, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, was one of the most significant legal figures in U.S. She graduated from Cornell University and was one of few women in her class at Harvard Law School, later transferring to Columbia Law School.  

Encountering gender discrimination early in her legal career, Ginsburg embarked on her journey to advocate for gender equality and women’s rights. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter appointed Ginsburg to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Washington, D.C., where she served until her appointed to the Supreme Court in 1993.  

Ginsburg’s contributions to LGBTQ rights were significant where she joined the majority and favored same-sex marriage in the landmark case Windsor v. U.S. and Obergefell v. Hodges; Romer v. Evans that struck down a Colorado constitutional amendment that banned laws protecting gay rights. Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s groundbreaking legal career helped advocate to dismantle gender discrimination and LGBTQ rights through her strategic litigation and joining landmark cases that established constitutional rights to equal treatment under the law. 

2. Deborah A. Batts: 

Deborah A. Batts, born April 13, 1947, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Judge Batts appointed to the U.S. District Court in Southern District of New York in 1994, became to be known as the first openly LGBTQ+ federal judge in the United Stated history. 

Prior to her judgeship, in 1984, Batts was the first African American faculty member at Fordham University. She became a member of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, the LGBT Bar of New York, and the Sex and Law Committee of the New York City Bar Association, focusing on family law issues.  

Batts did not hide her LGBTQ identity, and after many rounds of interviews, the Bush administration declined to nominate her to the federal bench. However, it did not sway Batts as she was successfully nominated later by President Clinton. During her confirmation proceedings, only one senator, Howard Metzenbaum of Ohio, showed up, and her sexual orientation was never mentioned, and confirmed by a voice vote in the senate in May 1994 and became a federal judge during Pride Week in New York. Judge Batts’ journey to be a federal judge represents not only personal achievement but a transformative moment for LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion in the highest levels of American jurisprudence.  

3. Kylar William Broadus: 

Kylar William Broadus, born August 28, 1963, in Fayette, Missouri, an African American trans man attorney, long-time activist, public speaker, author and professor. Awarded the Trans Trailblazer Award by the LGBT Bar Association of Los Angeles, Broadus has embarked on a journey to advocate for the LGBT and Trans rights. 

Broadus is the founder and director of the Trans People of Color Coalition, which is the only national organization that is dedicated to the civil rights of transgender people of color. He also became known as the first transgender person to testify before the U.S. Senate, where he spoke in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) in June 2012. Kylar William Broadus’ work exemplifies how individual courage, and legal expertise can create lasting change for marginalized communities.  

4. Chase Strangio: 

Chase Strangio, born October 29, 1982, Newton, Massachusetts is the first openly transgender lawyer and transgender rights activist that have made arguments before the United States Supreme Court. Strangio started his legal career working in the Sylvia Rivera Law Project and is now a staff attorney at the ACLU.  

Throughout his legal career, Strangio has specialized in transgender rights litigation, successfully challenging discriminatory laws in federal courts. He was one of the key members of the legal team in the landmark case of Bostock v. Clayton County. As well as challenging North Carolina’s HB2, also known as the bathroom bill, that restricted access to public restrooms based on biological gender. Strangio was also part of another Supreme Court case of R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC, advocating for the 1964 Civil Rights Act’s prohibition on sex discrimination in employment extended to discrimination against LGBTQ workers. Strangio’s legal victories extend far beyond individual cases—they represent a fundamental shift toward recognizing equal rights of transgender in America.  

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) 

For decades, the ACLU has been at the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ+ equality, having fought its first LGBTQ rights case in 1936, making this Pride Month both a celebration of progress and continuance to fight for equality. Today the ACLU, with more than 1.1 million members, 500 staff attorneys, thousands of volunteer attorneys operate in every state to defend LGBTQ+ rights at the local, state, and federal levels. Focusing on numerous issues Criminal Justice Reform for LGBTQ People, Nondiscrimination Protections, Parenting, Relationships, Youth and Transgender Rights.  

The ACLU’s strategic advocacy played a crucial role in the landmark Bostock v. Clayton County decision, which extended federal workplace discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ employees. The ACLU represented Stephens, Zarda, and Bostock, who were terminated from their jobs because of being members of the LGBTQ community. The Supreme Court held that every individual in all states who works or applies for a job is protected under federal law against employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Considered a great achievement in the LGBTQ community, the ACLU continues to move forward to provide legal protections against sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination not only in employment but also in healthcare, education, and public accommodations.  

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The Trevor Project 

The Trevor Project stands as the United States’ largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people, providing 24/7 support to those in their most vulnerable moments. It is core objective of ending suicide among LGBTQ+ young people, it is considered a beacon of hope and lifeline for the youth. Available through call, text, or chat, it is available to help anytime, anywhere.  

The Trevor Project provides various educational initiatives, like guides on supporting transgender and nonbinary young people, handling intersectional conversations, or supporting bisexual youth. These guides' purpose is to educate schools, communities, and parents to understand the youth and respect their identity and prevent LGBTQ+ youth suicide.  

The Trevor Project not only provides help in the United States but also international, TrevorSpace is a platform where international community for LGBTQ+ young people connect, share experiences, and find support. The platform ensures every member is respected, safety, and inclusivity are one of the main purposes of TrevorSpace.  

Hotline 24/7 

• The Trevor Project: 

  • TrevorLifeline: 1-866-488-7383 

  • TrevorChat: thetrevorproject.org/get-help 

  • TrevorText: Text START to 678-678 

• LGBT National Help Center Youth Talkline: 800-246-7743 

• Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860 

• National Runaway Safeline: Support for runaway and homeless youth and their families, including LGBTQ+ individuals – 1-800-786-2929. 

• Thrive Lifeline: Resource available 24/7 for anyone 18+, particularly focused on supporting marginalized communities – Text ‘oSTEM’ to +1(313) 662-8209.