Amici Briefs
Amici Briefs
The National LGBT Bar Association has submitted Amici briefs that have been used in cases concerning LGBT issues. We have provided these briefs for public viewing.
Gill v. Office of Personnel Management
In 2009, the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) filed the lawsuit in the District Court of Massachusetts. The plantiffs, Nancy Gill and Marcelle Letourneau, challenged the constitutionality of section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defines the term marriage as “a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife.” In July 2010, District Judge Joseph Louis Tauro ruled that section 3 of DOMA was unconstitutional. Later, Judge Tauro stayed the implementation of his verdict in order to allow an appeal from the Department of Justice (DOJ). In January 2011, the DOJ filed a brief in the First Circuit Court defending DOMA, but on February 25, the DOJ decided it would “cease to defend” the case. This challenge marks the first time that a case filed against DOMA has reached a federal appellate court.
Christian Legal Society v. Martinez (U.S. Supreme Court)
In 2010, the National LGBT Bar Association and its Law Student Division teamed up with 55 LGBT law student groups at our nation’s top law schools to file an amicus brief in Christian Legal Society v. Martinez. In 2004, the Christian Legal Society’s chapter at the University of California-Hastings filed a lawsuit after the school denied a funding request because of the group’s anti-LGBT discrimination policy. The question before the Court was whether the “Constitution allows a state law school to deny recognition to a religious student organization because the group requires its officers and voting members to agree with its core religious viewpoints.” The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, affirmed the University of California-Hastings’ decision to deny funding to student groups that discriminate against its LGBT students.
In re Marriage Cases (California Supreme Court)
In 2007, the National LGBT Bar Association (then the “National Lesbian and Gay Law Association”) submitted an amicus brief supporting the freedom to marry for same-sex couples and played a critical role in arguing that lesbian and gay couples should receive equal treatment under the law.
Lawrence v. Texas (U.S. Supreme Court)
In 2003, the National LGBT Bar Association (then the “National Lesbian and Gay Law Association”) submitted an amicus brief supporting the plaintiff’s right to sexual privacy in the case which struck down the Texas sodomy law, holding that intimate consensual conduct was part of the liberty protected by due process under the Fourteenth Amendment.
Rumsfeld v. FAIR (Third Circuit Court of Appeals & U.S. Supreme Court)
In 2004, the National LGBT Bar Association (then the “National Lesbian and Gay Law Association”) submitted amicus briefs challenging the constitutionality of the Solomon Amendment, which permits the military to recruit on college campuses despite the conflict between the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” statute and the non-discrimination policies of many colleges that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.
In re Guardianship of Kowalski (Minnesota Court of Appeals)
In 1991, the National LGBT Bar Association (then the “National Lesbian and Gay Law Association”) submitted an amicus brief in support of the successful appointment of Karen Thompson as guardian for her lesbian partner, Sharon Kowalski, after she became incapacitated in a car accident. This case garnered national and international attention because Kowalski’s family contested the appointment of Ms. Thompson.
Partner with the National LGBT Bar Association
The National LGBT Bar Association is proud to offer our advocacy services as amicus curiae and our support for organizations in cases or initiatives that align with the LGBT Bar’s vision and mission.
The Association does so by partnering with like-minded, progressive organizations to take positions on issues such as LGBT equality, the right of all LGBT people to live free from discrimination and continuing commitment to diversity in the legal profession. The Public Policy Committee of the National LGBT Bar Association advocates on behalf of justice for the LGBT community in all of its diversity through, among other things, written legal advocacy.
The LGBT Bar seeks opportunities to work with other organizations in the future by drafting or signing on to amicus briefs and assisting with initiatives on civil rights issues important to our members. If you are currently working on a case or issue which you would like the National LGBT Bar Association to support, or if you would like further information, please contact our Executive Director, D’Arcy Kemnitz. Additionally, please keep the National LGBT Bar Association’s Public Policy Committee in mind when you are developing initiatives in the future.