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About GLAD

Since 1978, GLAD has been pursuing equal justice under law throughout New England, with enormous success. Our legal victories have changed the landscape of the law regarding sexual orientation, HIV status, and gender identity and expression. But more importantly, they have made a difference in the day-to-day lives of countless individuals.

Dear Friends,

It is my privilege as GLAD’s Executive Director to introduce you to the work of this amazing organization, and welcome you into the heart of GLAD’s community.

Please explore our history, to appreciate how far our community has come and how GLAD has made a difference as a civil rights leader for 30 years.

Take a look at the slate of cases currently on our docket to find out how we are working to expand the law right now.

Read one or many of the dozens of publications available to inform you of the shape of the law in your home state.

Or take a moment to discover how you can join us soon at an upcoming event or other ways you can become involved in GLAD’s work.

New England has been fertile territory for increasing the civil rights of LGBT and HIV+ people, yielding successes in every area of importance to our communities.  We now have marriage in Massachusetts and civil unions in Vermont, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. In all six New England states two adults are able to jointly become legal parents, and case decisions or laws exist recognizing non-biological parents as de facto parents.

All six states also have laws protecting people from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations, as well as from hate crimes, on the basis of sexual orientation and HIV status.  Rhode Island, Maine and Vermont provide explicit anti-discrimination protection for transgender people, while in the other three New England states transgender anti-discrimination protections have been achieved by arguments based on sex or disability. Hate crimes laws in Connecticut and Vermont provide protection for transgender people.  Public school students across the region have the right to form GSAs, and have some protections against sexual orientation discrimination and harassment.

These incredible gains have been possible because GLAD has been there to speak on behalf of the community in your name.  We have grown and thrived and made enormous progress in advancing the rights and protections of the LGBT community and people living with HIV and AIDS.  And GLAD is – when all is said and done – nothing more and nothing less than the handiwork of a community of dedicated individuals – board, donors, staff, volunteers and allies – with a vision of equality and justice.

Thank you for joining us in transforming that vision into reality.  Despite great accomplishments, we will not rest on our laurels; GLAD continues to expand its capacity to fight in every corner of New England for the equality we deserve.  Your continued support and investment in GLAD promises only more profound and lasting advances on the road to “Equal Justice Under Law.”

Sincerely,
Lee Swislow
Executive Director