Same-sex couples in New York have been dealing with a lot of family and divorce issues since they were legally allowed to marry and get divorced in 2011. To help deal with these issues and more, a lot of LGBTQ+ community have been formed to provide all manner of support, including legal support for LGBTQ+ couples.
If you are not sure what the rules are for same-sex marriage, divorce, parenting, or other matrimonial issues, it is a good idea to take advantage of the legal support provided by the LGBTQ+ Communities in New York. There are a lot of questions that may come up, and you will surely need this legal support.
Getting to know some of these available resources and legal support from the LGBTQ+ communities is a great way to begin your journey to an enjoyable LGBTQ+ family life.
LGBTQ+ Community Resources
Here is some info on some of these communities and the legal support you can get from them.
1. National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR)
NCLR has been protecting LGBTQ+ couple’s family relationships since they started in 1977. They do a lot of work to make sure LGBTQ people have the same rights as everyone else, like marriage equality, the right to have and raise kids, and the protection of transgender parents and children. They have been leading the fight for LGBTQ rights for decades.
Even after marriage equality, LGBTQ+ people still face discrimination in their personal lives and in their families. Many states still do not give equal treatment to LGBTQ+ couples and do not fully protect unmarried LGBTQ+ couples. NCLR believes all LGBTQ+ should be able to marry, even if it is in common law.
They want to see laws passed that protect unmarried LGBTQ+ partners, too. They helped make sure the case went to the Supreme Court in Tennessee and have intervened in many state cases. After marriage equality was passed, NCLR continued to work to make sure LGBTQ+ people’s relationships and family life were respected and non-discriminatory.
NCLR has come a long way in protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ people, but LGBTQ+ people still face a lot of discrimination when it comes to parenting. For instance, transgender parents are often denied custody because of their gender identity. That is why NCLR works to ensure that LGBTQ+ parents and their children feel like part of the family.
Whether you are a low-income LGBTQ+ parent, using assisted reproductive methods, married or single, adopting, or in the process of adopting through an adoption agency, NCLR can help. NCLR also works with LGBTQ+ surrogate mothers and egg donors and those who are transgender and/or gender-nonconformist but feel like their parents do not accept them.
You can learn more about NCLR here.
2. Immigration Equality
Immigration Equality stands up for the rights of LGBTQ+ people in the US. They have been around since 1994 and have worked hard to make sure all LGBTQ+ people have the same rights as others when it comes to immigration.
They offer legal help and fight for the rights of immigrants who are LGBTQ+ or HIV-positive, as well as their families. Learn more about this community here.
3. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
The ACLU stands for LGBTQ+ people and wants to make sure they feel safe and secure in their own lives and to protect their right to equality, liberty, and personal liberty. The goal of the ACLU is to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people, regardless of who they are or where they are from.
To do this, they fight for equality so that LGBTQ+ people can live their lives honestly and with the freedom to be who they want. This is done through legal action, lobbying, education, and organization. Get to know more here.
4. New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) – LGBTQ Law Project
NYLAG’s LGBTQ Law Project provides free legal help to low-income LGBTQ+ people in NYC. Whether it is a consultation, a referral, or a full representation, they can help with all types of civil cases.
They can help you get the right attorney to handle everything from divorces and protection orders to custody and adoption. They can also help with health care proxy and living wills, as well as advance directives and immigration. You can learn more here.
5. CenterLink
CenterLink is a non-profit that helps build the strength of a bunch of national organizations to fight for the rights of LGBTQ+ people and to give LGBTQ+ community centers info and research on important topics. CenterLink also has a bunch of different programs and services.
The newest one is called YouthLink, and it helps bring a lot of young people’s voices to the table when it comes to politics at the national level and matrimonial issues. Also, CenterLink provides technical and support services to the Centers in their CenterLink membership network. Get more info here.
Get help!
There are a lot of matrimonial and other issues LGBTQ+ people might have to deal with. It can be tough going through the issues alone. That is why it is a good idea to know the LGBTQ+ communities available and the legal support they provide that can help you.
If you are confused about the LGBTQ+ community that has the legal support that meets your needs, Gehi and Associates can help you with that info and more.
At Gehi and Associates, we have comprehensive info on the LGBTQ+ communities in New York and other parts of the US and can help you liaise with these communities to get outstanding results for you.
Get in touch with us now!
