Lambda Legal

What Lambda Legal does

Lambda Legal, formally the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, is a national legal organization that works on civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people and for people living with HIV. When its founders first tried to incorporate, a New York court turned them down, saying the group would be neither benevolent nor charitable. New York's highest court reversed that decision in 1973, and Lambda Legal was formed that year.

Today it is headquartered in New York City, with regional offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., and more than 100 staff. Its work combines impact litigation in state and federal courts, policy advocacy, and public education. It played a significant role in cases including Lawrence v. Texas (2003), in which the Supreme Court struck down state sodomy laws, and California's In re Marriage Cases (2008). Its Help Desk gives general legal information and referrals about discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and HIV status. Lambda Legal says it does not charge clients and receives no government funding.

Charity Navigator gives Lambda Legal a Four-Star rating. For 2025, it reported about $49.8 million in revenue and $30.5 million in expenses (ProPublica).

Key facts

• Formed in 1973 after New York's highest court reversed a ruling that had rejected its incorporation (Wikipedia)
• Headquartered in New York City with regional offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.; more than 100 staff (Lambda Legal)
• Says it does not charge clients and receives no government funding (Lambda Legal)
• About $49.8M revenue and $30.5M expenses in 2025 (ProPublica)

Before you give

• Gifts are tax-deductible (501(c)(3), EIN 23-7395681).
• Lambda Legal's Ways to Give page lists monthly giving, stock and mutual-fund gifts, employer matching, cryptocurrency, honor and memorial gifts, and legacy giving.