Transgender Day of Visibility
Every year on March 31, the world recognizes Transgender Day of Visibility by honoring and celebrating the achievements of transgender people while raising awareness of the ongoing work toward equality for all.
We understand that not everyone yet has the same freedom to live openly. To that end, we remain fiercely committed to fulfilling our mission for a just society in which everyone can live freely as who they are.
GLAD is proud to honor the voices and experiences of transgender individuals and their families courageousely fighting against discrimination, and helping realize that mission.
Here are a few of their stories.
Doe v. Massachusetts Department of Correction
GLAD and our partners at Prisoners’ Legal Services and Goodwin Procter LLP are fighting a groundbreaking case on behalf of our client, a transgender woman of color who is currently incarcerated at a Massachusetts facility that houses male inmates. We are seeking relief and proper treatment of our client, who is experiencing devastating daily harassment and mistreatment causing her both physically and emotionally harm. Read more about this critical case.
Journey Through Resilience
Our client Lynn, who is from Puerto Rico and identifies as transgender, is standing up to discrimination they faced by a public business in Massachusetts. At the time, Lynn was on a road to self-sufficiency after a long battle with substance abuse and poverty, outcomes linked to unsupportive family and bias related to their gender identity. Read more about how Lynn hopes their fight against discrimination encourages others to stand up for justice.
Critical Breakthrough for Transgender Students
Nicole Maines bravely fought her school’s discriminatory policy against transgender students in Maine. Her case marks the first time a state court has ruled that transgender students must be allowed to use the restrooms that are consistent with their gender identity. Nicole has gone on to become an outspoken advocate for transgender rights. Read more about her groundbreaking case, and what it means for transgender young people across the state.
Fighting for Equality with Love and Courage
Nick’s family are courageous advocates for full inclusion and equality in everyday life – for Nick and for all transgender youth. Hear their inspiring story of love and courage.
Fighting Trump’s Transgender Military Ban
Courageous plaintiffs at the heart of our ongoing fight against Trump’s baseless transgender military ban talked to Teen Vogue about what service means to them.
Transgender Equality Across New England
GLAD is leading two critical movements to advance and protect transgender equality in state law. GLAD and our partners in Freedom for All New Hampshire are working hard to pass non-discrimination protections for transgender people in employment, housing, and public spaces. New Hampshire is the last state in New England to have no explicit protections for transgender people, and this bipartisan effort will be a model for the nation. Visit www.freedomnewhampshire.org to hear the stories of transgender Granite Staters and why this fight is so important.
In Massachusetts, opponents of equality have put repealing our hardwon transgender public accommodations protections on the 2018 ballot. This November, Massachusetts voters will have the chance to show the nation that they support transgender equality. GLAD is a leading member of Freedom for All Massachusetts, the bipartisan coalition working to ensure Massachusetts upholds fairness and equality for all. Visit www.freedommassachusetts.org to hear the stories of transgender people across the Commonwealth making the case that discrimination has no place in Massachusetts.