Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders

Celebrating 30 years as New England's leading legal rights organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status and gender identity and expression.

Rights & Resources

At a Glance

LGBT and HIV-positive individuals often experience unique difficulties when dealing with the criminal justice system. At best, the system is poorly designed to accommodate and serve the needs of GLAD’s community. At worst, it is overtly and deliberately hostile.

Antiquated anti-gay “sodomy” laws have been struck down, but other criminal laws related to sex—statutes that may be neutral on their face—are often enforced in a discriminatory way against gay men. In prison, LGBT individuals are frequently targeted for mistreatment and physical or sexual attacks. Prison officials may participate in such abuse, turn their backs on it, or lack institutional tools to adequately protect LGBT inmates. Transgender inmates and people with HIV may face additional difficulties gaining access to appropriate medical treatment.

Specific laws can vary
greatly from state to state

For more information, please visit a state page:

GLAD's Work On

From the Docket

Kerrigan & Mock v. Connecticut Dept. of Public Health

Victory • 2008

On Friday, October 10, 2008, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that gay… Read More

See GLAD's Full Case Docket »

Legislation

Equality on the Ballot

October 13, 2008

November 4 will be a day of significance for LGBT people all… Read More

See All Legislative News »

News

Five Years After Goodridge, GLAD Announces “6x12”

November 18, 2008

Five years ago today, the world changed for the better when the… Read More

Read All GLAD News »

Publications

Share Your Story

Stories Matter

The more people know their LGBT and HIV+ family, friends, and neighbors, the more likely they are to support our rights and help us work toward full equality.Read More