LGBTQ Rights
Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Florida v. Raymond Rodrigues
The University of Florida chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine filed a lawsuit on November 16, 2023, challenging the Chancellor of the State University System of Florida’s order to state universities to deactivate the student group. This order threatens the students’ constitutionally-protected right to free speech and association in violation of the First Amendment. The ACLU and its partners are seeking a preliminary injunction that would bar the Chancellor and the University of Florida from deactivating the UF SJP.
Status: Ongoing
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Maryland
Nov 2023
Tamer Mahmoud v. Monifa McKnight
On October 30, 2023, the ACLU and ACLU of Maryland filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit supporting the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in its efforts to ensure that its English curriculum is LGBTQ-inclusive.
Status: Ongoing
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U.S. Supreme Court
Jun 2020
R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v EEOC & Aimee Stephens
Aimee Stephens had worked for nearly six years as a funeral director at R.G. and G.R. Harris Funeral Homes when she informed the funeral home’s owner that she is a transgender woman. She was fired, the EEOC sued on her behalf, and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Aimee’s employer engaged in unlawful sex discrimination when it fired her because she’s transgender. We represented Aimee Stephens in front of the U.S. Supreme Court — and won.
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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U.S. Supreme Court
Sep 2019
Altitude Express Inc. v. Zarda
Don Zarda loved to skydive. He worked as a skydiving instructor at Altitude Express, a company on Long Island, N.Y. He was fired for being gay.
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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U.S. Supreme Court
Jun 2018
Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission
Whether a business open to the public has a constitutional right to discriminate.
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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U.S. Supreme Court
Jun 2015
Obergefell, et al. v. Hodges - Freedom to Marry in Ohio
The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Ohio and Alphonse Gerhardstein of Gerhardstein & Branch have filed suit on behalf of Jim Obergefell and David Michener, two widowers, and Robert Grunn, a funeral director, in a challenge to the Ohio constitutional and statutory marriage recognition bans.
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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U.S. Supreme Court
Jun 2015
Bourke v. Beshear & Love v. Beshear - Freedom to Marry in Kentucky
Bourke v. Beshear is a federal court challenge to Kentucky's constitutional ban on marriage for same-sex couples, filed by attorneys at Clay Daniel Walton & Adams and Fauver Law Office on July 26, 2013, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. The plaintiffs are four same-sex couples seeking state recognition of their out-of-state marriages.
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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All Cases
177 LGBTQ Rights Cases
Jan 2013
A.W. and C.W. v. Davis School District
The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Utah have filed a lawsuit against the Davis School District after elementary schools in the district were instructed to remove a children’s book about a family with same-sex parents from library shelves. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a mother whose children attend one of the schools where the book was restricted.
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LGBTQ Rights
A.W. and C.W. v. Davis School District
The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Utah have filed a lawsuit against the Davis School District after elementary schools in the district were instructed to remove a children’s book about a family with same-sex parents from library shelves. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a mother whose children attend one of the schools where the book was restricted.
Jan 2013
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Dec 2012
Elane Photography, LLC v. Vanessa Willock
The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of New Mexico have filed an amicus brief in the New Mexico Supreme Court in support of Vanessa Willock’s public accommodations suit against a photography studio that refuses to take pictures for same-sex wedding ceremonies.
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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LGBTQ Rights
Religious Liberty
Elane Photography, LLC v. Vanessa Willock
The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of New Mexico have filed an amicus brief in the New Mexico Supreme Court in support of Vanessa Willock’s public accommodations suit against a photography studio that refuses to take pictures for same-sex wedding ceremonies.
Dec 2012
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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Florida
Nov 2012
In re: Gill
A challenge to Florida's ban on adoption by gay parents.
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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Florida
LGBTQ Rights
In re: Gill
A challenge to Florida's ban on adoption by gay parents.
Nov 2012
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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Sep 2012
American Academy of Pediatrics et al. v. Clovis Unified School District
Two parents and the Gay-Straight Alliance Network join the AAP in a suit against Clovis Unified School District over abstinence-only-until-marriage sex education in the district's high schools. The lawsuit charges that the district is violating California law and putting teens' health at risk by giving students misinformation and denying them critical instruction about condoms and contraception.
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LGBTQ Rights
Reproductive Freedom
American Academy of Pediatrics et al. v. Clovis Unified School District
Two parents and the Gay-Straight Alliance Network join the AAP in a suit against Clovis Unified School District over abstinence-only-until-marriage sex education in the district's high schools. The lawsuit charges that the district is violating California law and putting teens' health at risk by giving students misinformation and denying them critical instruction about condoms and contraception.
Sep 2012
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Vermont
Aug 2012
Baker and Linsley v. Wildflower Inn
Kate Linsley (formerly Baker) and Ming Linsley planned to marry in Vermont. After they got engaged, Ming's mother, Channie, took the lead in helping the couple find a venue for their reception. Like many mothers, she was ecstatic to have the opportunity to help her daughter and future daughter-in-law plan their celebration.
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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Vermont
LGBTQ Rights
Baker and Linsley v. Wildflower Inn
Kate Linsley (formerly Baker) and Ming Linsley planned to marry in Vermont. After they got engaged, Ming's mother, Channie, took the lead in helping the couple find a venue for their reception. Like many mothers, she was ecstatic to have the opportunity to help her daughter and future daughter-in-law plan their celebration.
Aug 2012
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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