Lesbian and Gay Refugee Advocacy Project

Provide legal services to low income people living with HIV/...

Overview

NYLAG s LGBTQ Law Project founded in 2008 exists to protect and expand the rights of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community and to provide services that meet the unique legal needs of low income LGBTQ New Yorkers. LGBTQ communities especially those of color transgender and gender non conforming individuals and youth are at greater risk of living in poverty and of being targeted for violence. Through direct legal services and systemic advocacy efforts we strive to work at the intersections of gender racial and economic justice and believe that with economic and physical security come empowerment leadership and collective change. The LGBTQ Law Project envisions a world where all people regardless of sexual or gender identity have access to legal protections under the law dignified work adequate housing and health care the right to create families and the ability to live fulfilling lives. The LGBTQ Law Project provides high quality free legal services in a wide variety of civil legal matters impacting the LGBTQ community including employment housing public benefits shelter access name changes gender marker changes family law and life planning. We staff four legal clinics in New York City and host a variety of know your rights trainings and educational workshops throughout the year. We have strong partnerships within the LGBTQ and social services communities and a strong network of referrals to reach the most vulnerable members of the LGBTQ community. We also engage in systemic advocacy efforts to reform city and state policies and work to ensure that LGBTQ New Yorkers have equal access to critical services benefits and legal protections.