ACLU: American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan

Lesbian Gay Bisexual & Transgender Project of the ACLU of Michigan

Since coming to the defense of The Children's Hour, a play that was banned in 1936 for a suggested lesbian relationship, the ACLU has been protecting the rights of LGBT Americans. The ACLU's work challenges discrimination in the courts and legislatures -- case by case, law by law -- to change antigay policies.

As the efforts to win full civil rights and equality for LGBT people continue, the ACLU marks more than 70 years of important legal victories. More than 50 years ago, the ACLU began a full LGBT rights docket and then founded the LGBT Project 30 years later. The ACLU of Michigan is one of only a handful of ACLU affiliates that boast a local LGBT Project.

Today, the LGBT Project continues to fight discrimination and moves public opinion on LGBT rights through the courts, legislatures and public education across five issue areas:

RELATIONSHIPS – Since the first marriage lawsuit for same-sex couples in 1972, the ACLU has been at the forefront of both legal and public education efforts to secure marriage for same-sex couples and win legal recognition for LGBT relationships.

SCHOOLS & YOUTH – The LGBT Project’s Schools & Youth program defends free expression in public schools, demands that learning environments do not encourage bullying and violence, and helps educators create an atmosphere respectful of students’ sexual orientation and gender identity.

PARENTING – The ACLU is committed to defending the rights of LGBT parents, not only in custody and visitation arrangements but also by challenging discriminatory laws that restrict the rights of LGBT people to parent.

TRANSGENDER – The ACLU works to include gender identity in nondiscrimination laws, raises awareness of the types of harms that transgender people face, and brings impact lawsuits to change biased laws against transgender people in employment, schools, and public accommodations.

DISCRIMINATION – Since the 1950s, the ACLU has been defending LGBT people from discrimination. Over the years, the ACLU has fought LGBT discrimination on several fronts—from challenging “sodomy” laws to advocating for civil rights that protect LGBT people.

To file a complaint with the ACLU of Michigan LGBT Project, click here.