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.
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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Learn More About the Prop. 8 Legal Challenge »
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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FrontLine Attorney Reception
Every summer the ACLU organizes a reception for Bay Area attorneys and summer associates to update them about the ACLU’s nationwide work to protect the civil rights of LGBT people and to raise some of the financial support needed to do this work.
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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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Same-Sex Couples Have Their Day in Court
In a historic case, the California Supreme Court heard oral arguments March 4 challenging the constitutionality of denying same-sex couples the benefits and protections of marriage in the state. The court will have 90 days to issue its landmark decision.
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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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Los Altos Community Reverses Ban on Gay Proclamations
The Los Altos City Council has rescinded a ban on city proclamations having anything to do with sexual orientation. The city council passed the original ban in February, after the Los Altos High School Gay Straight Alliance asked the council to proclaim a Los Altos Gay Pride Day. Over 50 local business owners petitioned the council to end the “embarrassing” rule, and students and other concerned residents organized to oppose the ban, aided by ACLU support. Members of the Los Altos High School Gay Straight Alliance played a key role.
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