ABA Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

06/30/2026

BREAKING: The Supreme Court has ruled that states can prohibit transgender athletes from competing on girls' and women's sports teams, a decision that delivers the latest setback for transgender rights.

06/26/2026

in 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all state bans on same-s*x marriage, legalized it in all fifty states, and required states to honor out-of-state same-s*x marriage licenses in the case Obergefell v. Hodges.

06/18/2026

There is still time to register! Join us today CT for this timely program. This is just the first of what will be a series of webinars addressing the issues of so called 'conversion therapy'. ABA Diversity Center American Bar Association ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice The National Center for LGBTQ Rights

Register: https://americanbar.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nNNTti_5S7qU047_cCKaOg

05/07/2026

Today we celebrate Trans+ History Week happening May 4–10 2026. In honor of this week we would like to highlight some of our amazing past and present SOGI Commissioners and Stonewall Awardees! ABA Diversity Center American Bar Association

05/06/2026

The Trump administration just proposed a rule that would require federally funded homeless shelters to house people based on their birth s*x — putting transgender people at serious risk. Up to 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+. This rule would make an already dangerous situation worse.

There is a 60-day public comment period — your voice matters.

📖 Read more HERE ➡️ https://ow.ly/aB2750YV99L

03/31/2026

Each year on March 31, the world observes Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) to raise awareness about transgender people. It is a day to celebrate the lives and contributions of trans people, while also drawing attention to the disproportionate levels of poverty, discrimination, and violence the community faces.

TDOV was created in 2010 by trans advocate Rachel Crandall. Crandall, the head of Transgender Michigan, created TDOV in response to the overwhelming majority of media stories about transgender people being focused on violence. She hoped to create a day where people could celebrate the lives of transgender people, while simultaneously acknowledging that due to discrimination, not every trans person can or wants to be visible.

For more information and resources, visit:

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/diversity/s*xual_orientation/resources/transgenderrights/

03/25/2026

Applications for the ABA LGBTQ+ Public Interest Scholarship are live! Open to all Law Students! For more information and to apply, visit:

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/diversity/s*xual_orientation/SOGI/

The National Center for LGBTQ Rights American Bar Association ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice ABA Diversity Center

03/19/2026

🚨 Save the Date! CRSJ Civil Rights Boot Camp 2.0

📅 Dates: Day One: Friday, March 20, 2026; Day Two: Friday, March 27, 2026
🕰️ Time: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET/8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. PT
📺 Format: Free Virtual Two-Day Conference
Sponsor: ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice

Master the next generation of civil rights advocacy. Expanding on last year's CRSJ Civil Rights Boot Camp, this two-day boot camp delivers a practical, ethical, and strategic blueprint for litigating high-impact cases, expanding protections at the state level, and defending fundamental rights—from free speech in the classroom to justice in immigration.

This essential, two-day Civil Rights Boot Camp 2.0 provides a high-level strategic framework for advocates:

🎯 Practice Building & Innovation: Gain a roadmap for founding a high-impact civil rights practice, covering ethical case evaluation, coalition building, and the responsible use of generative AI tools.
🎯 State-Level Advocacy: Master strategies for utilizing state constitutions and local laws as powerful engines for justice, advancing protections where federal action is limited.
🎯 Defending Freedoms: Deepen your expertise in key legal areas, including First Amendment retaliation claims, workplace anti-retaliation protections, and complex free speech issues in education (e.g., censorship and student rights).
🎯 Pro Bono Action: Identify concrete, accessible pathways to engage in high-impact pro bono service, with a dedicated focus on critical support for ABA immigration justice initiatives.

Attendees will leave with practical expertise, a curated list of essential resources, and ample opportunities to network and collaborate with leading practitioners.

REGISTER HERE: https://ow.ly/tKrA50Yobmz

12/16/2025

Registration is now open! Join us for the 2026 ABA Joint Spring Meeting from April 22–25, 2026 at the Paradise Point Resort & Spa in beautiful San Diego, CA. 🌴

Connect with six ABA entities and 300+ attorneys, leaders, and advocates from across the nation for an event that amplifies opportunity! Learn more & register now:

https://events.americanbar.org/event/7fb04efa-2382-4694-9046-0898e9ec0b49/regProcessStep1?RefId=social

Participating entities:
Young Lawyers Division • ABA Law Practice Division • ABA Senior Lawyers Division • ABA Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division • ABA Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity • ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice

12/08/2025

We are so excited to share the launch of this joint guide! The Illinois Guide for Survivors of Conversion Practices is a new resource, offering support for survivors of the harmful practices known as ‘conversion therapy.’ The guide provides survivors, attorneys and mental health practitioners with instructions on how to report harmful practitioners, an overview of individual rights, and options for pursuing civil action! The Trevor Project
The National Center for LGBTQ Rights Equality Illinois

Mental health, legal, LGBTQ+, and survivor-advocacy organizations have come together to release a critical new resource: the Illinois Guide for Survivors of Conversion Practices. This comprehensive guide provides Illinois residents who have experienced harmful conversion therapy with clear informati...