Transgender Law Center

Founded in 2002, the Transgender Law Center (TLC) is the largest trans-specific, trans-led organization in the United States. Dedicated to advancing and protecting the rights of transgender and gender-nonconforming people, TLC has achieved groundbreaking legal victories in areas such as employment, prison conditions, education, immigration, and healthcare. Through advocacy, litigation, and community programs, TLC empowers thousands of individuals each year and builds a national, trans-led movement for liberation.

Key Achievements and Programs

• Legal Victories: TLC has won precedent-setting cases, including the Ash Whitaker Case (protecting transgender students' rights) and the Shiloh Quine Case (securing access to gender-affirming healthcare for incarcerated individuals).

• Community Programs: TLC has launched impactful initiatives like the Black Trans Circles Project, Positively Trans Project, Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project, TRUTH Project, TLC@SONG Project, and the Disability Project, addressing the unique needs of marginalized communities.

• Leadership: In 2015, Kris Hayashi became the first trans person of color to lead an organization of TLC’s size and scope. In 2023, Shelby Chestnut, a descendant of the Assiniboine tribe of Montana, became the first Native trans person to helm a national LGBTQ organization as TLC’s executive director.

Mission and Impact

TLC’s mission is to create a world where transgender and gender-nonconforming people can thrive. By combining legal advocacy, community organizing, and movement-building, TLC continues to fight for justice, equity, and liberation for all.

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