Glbtq Legal Advocates & Defenders Inc

In the past year, the glad law's transgender rights project (trp): litigation advancing transgender healthcare rights:- secured a preliminary injunction in doe v. Ladapo, halting florida's ban on gender-affirming care for minors.- in bernier v. Turbocam, currently in discovery, glad law is challenging a private employer's refusal to cover an employee's medical care related to gender transition, citing religious objections.- filed an amicus brief with the u.s. Supreme court in u.s. V. Skrmetti, arguing against state laws that categorically bar medical treatment for transgender adolescents.challenges to discriminatory executive orders:- won a nationwide preliminary injunction in talbott v. Trump against the transgender military ban.- filed moe v. Trump, challenging an executive order mandating the housing of transgender women in men's prisons and denying them medical care.- followed up with doe v. Mchenry and jones v. Trump, expanding legal challenges to federal prison policies affecting transgender individuals.legislative advocacy for healthcare protections:- successfully passed laws in maine, vermont, and rhode island: protecting access to reproductive and transgender healthcare. Shielding medical professionals from legal threats posed by hostile laws in other states.

In the past year, the public affairs and education department (pa&e) achieved the following:departmental update:- renamed the department to communications & public education (cpe) to align with industry standards.publications & events- published glad law briefs newsletter: print edition in may 2024. Online edition in october 2024.- co-hosted a 20th anniversary celebration of marriage equality on may 17, 2024, at arlington street church with over three hundred attendees.- coordinated glad law's participation in boston pride for the people, joined by attorney general andrea campbell and her team.glad law answers:- handled a record 2,561 distinct legal intakes through calls and emailsa 43% increase over the previous year.- provided legal information, resources, and referrals to lgbtq+ individuals, often in crisis.hosted community education events on key topics:- supreme court and gender affirming care july 15, 2024- massachusetts parentage act celebration & update sept 10, 2024- legal threats & opportunities for lgbtq+ people (with mizell center) sept 30, 2024- national transgender rights landscape oct 24, 2024- massachusetts parentage act protections nov 13, 2024- post-election legal questions nov 14, 2024- virtual screening & panel: national transgender rights landscape dec 17, 2024- know your rights on immigration jan 14, 2025- post-inauguration briefing jan 28, 2025strategic messaging & research:- continued work on shifting public understanding of transgender adolescent healthcare.- planned a message research project on lgbtq family building and parentage with an expert attorney on staff.policy convenings:- held quarterly rhode island public policy advocates meetings.- hosted the annual new england policy convening in december 2024 with advocates from six states.digital outreach & information access:- created a dedicated executive order challenges page on gladlaw.org. Provides updates on federal actions and legal challenges. Includes frequently asked questions on evolving legal rights.- launched a weekly blog by executive director ricardo martinez titled the resistance brief, offering insights and encouragement for the lgbtq+ rights movement.

In the past year, the aids law project (alp):expanded access to hiv prevention:- passed a law in massachusetts to allow pharmacists to dispense a limited supply of prep for hiv prevention,- passed a law in rhode island to: expand access to prep (pre-exposure prophylaxis). Eliminate insurance barriers such as prior authorization and step therapy. Filed similar legislation in ma this year.public health advocacy in maine:- responded to rising hiv cases in bangor by advocating for expanded syringe exchange programs.- opposed maine bill ld219, which proposed a harmful one-for-one syringe exchange limit, by submitting formal testimony.national legal advocacy:- co-authored a friend-of-the-court brief in kennedy v. Braidwood management, inc. Submitted to the u.s. Supreme court on february 25, 2025. Urged the court to uphold no-cost access to prep and other preventive healthcare services. Collaborated with leading hiv, lgbtq+, and healthcare organizations.ongoing mission:- continuing to work toward the eradication of hiv by ensuring equitable access to prevention and treatment without unnecessary barriers.

Organizational growth and brand sharpeningnew leadership:- following the departure of glad law's long-time executive director in the fall of 2023, glad law had an interim ed until september 2024. The board led a nationwide search and hired ricardo martinez as glad law's executive director. Ricardo began the position in september 2024.legal team and staff expansion:- hired four new attorneys with civil rights and trial experience. - conducted a national search and hired a new legal director, starting april 2025.- initiated hiring additional staff across the organization in q4 of fy25 to support expanded operations.brand sharpening campaign:- launched a comprehensive campaign to enhance visibility and reinforce our identity and mission as a legal advocacy organization. - filed a new business certificate with the city of boston adopting the shorthand "glad law."brand awareness achievements:- updated logo resonated strongly with donors and supporters.- increased public recognition of glad law's mission and unique contributions.- high levels of trust reported in glad law's use of resources among supporters.media engagement success:- majority of media outlets now correctly refer to the organization as glad law.- legal work featured prominently in media messaging, reinforcing glad law's leadership.- jennifer levi and ricardo martinez served as key spokespeople, with jennifer leading most national coverage.paid media performance:- digital ads outperformed industry benchmarks in fundraising, lead generation, and awareness.- peak performance during media coverage of the president's executive orders, such as the transgender military ban.- top-performing creative content included emotion-driven, direct-to-camera videos by alexandra chandler and ricardo martinez.