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NCLR is a national legal resource center with a primary commitment to advancing the rights and safety of lesbians and their families through a program of litigation, public policy advocacy, free legal advice and counseling, and public education. In addition, NCLR provides representation and resources to gay men, and bisexual and transgender individuals on key issues that also significantly advance lesbian rights. To find out more about who we are and what we do, please click on any of the links below.

Legal Protection & Action for LGBT Persons in Sport Panel

A discussion of laws and strategies that protect LGBT athletes, coaches, and administrators. Actions to ensure that institutions are fulfilling their legal obligations will be reviewed, including a professional women's football player and upcoming cases.

• Fifteen-year-old Ashly Massey, was singled out for exclusion from participation in gym class after her classmates learned she was a lesbian. For two weeks of class at Coombs Middle School in Banning, CA, her teacher sent her to the principal’s office instead of allowing her to change in the women's locker room. Read the ACLU brief
• Amelia Massey, mother of Ashly Massey, has filed suit against Coombs Middle School for discriminating against her daughter. When the school contacted Amelia about the her daughter's exclusion from gym class, she asked if her daughter had misbehaved. The teacher reported that Ashley had not acted improperly or made any inappropriate comments to other students. Amelia then asked the techer to call her again if there were any future problems. She never received another call from the gym
• Courtney Joslin is the attorney representing Miss Massey's case. The suit is filed by The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
• Cindy Butz, is a former pro athlete for the National Women's Football League who played with the Philadelphia Liberty Belles. Cindy is presently joining Alyssa Wykes on the team restructured as the IWFL and will discuss action taken to add Sexual orientation to the sexual harassment policies.
• Moderator: Helen Carroll, National Center for Lesbian Rights

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