LGBT
The ACLU of Northern California and the national ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project fight discrimination in Northern California and across the nation through precedent-setting litigation, public-policy advocacy, and public education.
Our goal is equal treatment and basic respect for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. This means even-handed treatment by government; protection from discrimination in jobs, schools, housing, and public accommodations; and equal rights for same-sex couples and LGBT families. Please click here to support the ACLU's work to advance LGBT rights.
The Legacy of Harvey Milk - Take a Stand for LGBTQ Students' Rights
May 22, 2010 marks the first statewide Harvey Milk Day, recognizing the lifetime achievements of the first openly gay public official. In honor of his legacy, let's make sure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth in California know that state law protects their rights at school. Tell Congress: Protect LGBTQ Students. Pass the Student Non-Discrimination Act. Get the essential guide on rights at school for LGBTQ youth in California.
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LGBTQ Student Rights
This guide will show you what the law says about your rights in school, allowing you and your friends to take the lead in making the future of LGBTQ students as bright and fair as possible.
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Lesbian Student Teaches School District a Lesson
For Rochelle Hamilton, starting high school was the beginning of relentless harassment from teachers and school staff because she’s openly gay. One teacher told her, "You're going to hell. This is a sin." After months of asking the school and the district to intervene—to no avail—Rochelle and her mom reached out to the ACLU for help. Together, we took on the school district—and won. ACLU-NC reached a settlement with the Vallejo School District, designed to combat anti-gay harassment and discrimination at all the district’s schools.
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Marriage Equality and Beyond: ACLU-NC’s Ongoing Efforts after Proposition 8
The ACLU of Northern California, LGBT rights groups, and many other civil rights groups were joined by tens of thousands of activists across the state in working tirelessly to defeat Proposition 8 in the November 2008 election. Sadly, the ballot measure passed by a narrow margin of 52 percent. If found valid, Proposition 8 would write discrimination into our Constitution by taking away the fundamental right to marry from a single group lesbian and gay Californians.
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Strauss v. Horton
On Nov. 5, 2008, ACLU-NC, along with the National Center for Lesbian Rights and Lambda Legal, filed a writ petition in the California Supreme Court challenging the validity of Proposition 8. Proposition 8, passed by a narrow majority of California voters in the November 2008 election, purports to amend California's Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Equality California and six couples who did not marry before the election but would like to be able to marry now.
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When Do We Go Back to the Voters to Repeal Prop 8?
The debate about 2010 vs. 2012 misses a crucial point: with the voters of California where they are today, either election would be a tougher challenge than 2008 was. Read the letter by the ACLU LGBT Project and the ACLU's three California affiliates (Northern, Southern and San Diego-Imperial) that was sent to marriage allies suggesting that we ought to reframe the conversation about getting rid of Prop. 8.
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Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in California
Frequently Asked Questions: Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in California. NOTE: This document is intended to provide information about marriage for same-sex couples in California. It is not intended to be legal advice, and should not be taken as such. For legal advice concerning your particular situation, please consult an attorney. (Last updated: 6/24/2009)
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Court Rules Religion Can't Excuse Doctors Who Denied Treatment to Lesbian
The California Supreme Court ruled in August 2008 that doctors' religious objections are not a justification for refusing to treat lesbian and gay patients. Upon learning that she was a lesbian, the doctors of Guadalupe Benitez refused to give her treatment for infertility, saying their religious beliefs prevented them from giving her access to a service they regularly provided to other patients. Benitez sued for discrimination and the ACLU filed an amicus brief in support of her claim.
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