Legal Advocacy Organizations
ABA Center on Children and the Law,Opening Doors Project
740 15th St., NW.,
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: 202/662-1736
www.abanet.org/child/lgbtq.shtml
This project improves legal advocacy and judicial decisions on behalf of LGBTQ youth in dependency cases. In addition to its manual for attorneys and judges, the Opening Doors project provides legal training to jurisdictions on request. A web cast discussing legal roles in LGBTQ cases, and attitudes and beliefs about LGBTQ youth can be accessed on the project's website.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
100 West Harrison St.,
North Tower, Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98119
Tel: 800/628-3222
www.nationalcasa.org
The National CASA Association, with its state and local members, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children in the court system so they can thrive in safe, permanent homes.
Publication:
Equity Project
This national collaboration between Legal Services for Children (San Francisco), the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and the National Juvenile Defender Center ensures LGBT youth in juvenile delinquency courts are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. The Equity Project examines issues that impact LGBT youth during the delinquency process.
Lambda Legal Defense
120 Wall Street, Suite 1500,
New York, NY 10005
Tel: 212/809-8585
www.lambdalegal.org/
This national organization pursues high-impact litigation, public education, and advocacy on behalf of equality and civil rights for LGBT people. It supports people who need legal help through its phone help desks and educational publications. It has four locations throughout the country, in addition to its New York City headquarters.
Publications:
Current state foster care programs neglect LGBT youth and, in many cases, promote a homophobic atmosphere that undermines their welfare. This report from Lambda Legal examines foster care programs in 14 states, highlighting the shortfalls of each in addressing LGBT youth and providing recommendations to address them.
Legal Services for Children/National Center for Lesbian Rights Model Standards Project
Legal Services for Children
254 Market St., 3rd Floor,
San Francisco, CA 94102
Tel: 415/863-3762, ext. 310
www.lsc-sf.org
National Center for Lesbian Rights National Office
870 Market St., Suite 370,
San Francisco, CA 94102
Tel: 415/392-6257
www.nclrights.org
This partnership has produced the Model Standards Project LGBTQ Practice Guide, published by the Child Welfare League of America in 2006 and available through www.lsc-sf.org, info@nclrights.org, and www.cwla.org
National Center for Lesbian Rights
870 Market St., Suite 370,
San Francisco CA 94102
Tel: 415/392-6257
www.nclrights.org
NCLR is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of LGBT people and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. In addition to its San Francisco headquarters, it has offices in Florida and Washington, DC.
Publications:
Breaking the Silence: LGBTQ Foster Youth Tell
Their Stories
This 45-minute DVD/CD includes10 digital short stories by LGBTQ
foster youth, training tools, and resources. The stories describe
what it's like to be an LGBTQ foster youth and what advocates
and providers can do to improve how child welfare and juvenile
justice systems serve these youth. Available for $25.
To order, call or email Jody Marksamer, NCLR Staff Attorney, 415/392-6257, ext. 308; jmarksamer@nclrights.org
Sylvia Rivera Law Project
322 8th Ave.,
3rd Fl. New York, NY 10001
Tel: 212/337-8550
www.srlp.org
SRLP works to guarantee all people are free to self-determine gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination or violence.
