A NOTE FROM OUR FOUNDER

Autumn reflects change and transition, and this season at L4GG, we've seen significant transformations unfold. Our battles on multiple fronts, from championing gender-affirming care to combating environmental racism, have yielded results, showing the strength of our collective action.

Our dedicated teams have celebrated vital policy wins in Maryland and New York, defending our bodily autonomy amidst escalating threats. Our Reproductive Health Digest, launched earlier this year, continues to thrive, offering up-to-date insights on reproductive health law. And now, we're expanding access to our Reproductive Health Legal Assistance Project by providing access to our database of daily-updated legal research on reproductive health law in every U.S. state and territory.

Our Climate Funding Clinic is also fighting for communities of color, who are often sidelined in climate discussions, to have appropriate input and influence into policy decisions that impact their lives and livelihoods. However, our newly released Benton Harbor Report shows there's much work ahead to make sure that governments are held accountable for their role in safeguarding community health and environmental justice.

Moreover, through our Temporary Protected Status Pro Bono Project, we've diligently assisted Afghans affected by the Taliban takeover in securing TPS, providing them sanctuary and hope during these tumultuous times.

As we transition into the final months of 2023, I'm filled with gratitude for our L4GG community—our staff, supporters, and partners. Our mission of advocating for justice, elevating the voices of the marginalized, and demanding accountability is more pertinent than ever.

I invite you to delve into this newsletter, and I hope it inspires you to stand with us.

Championing Gender-Affirming Care on the State-Level

In the face of escalating threats to gender-affirming care nationwide, L4GG is committed to fighting for the right to bodily autonomy and self-determination. Our policy team’s efforts have contributed to two significant wins in Maryland and New York.

MARYLAND, MAY 4, 2023: Thanks to dedicated advocacy from L4GG, Governor Wes Moore signed an Executive Order that protects against the encroaching threats faced by transgender individuals, especially in states like Florida and Texas. Not only does this order shield dedicated doctors providing care to transgender individuals, but it also safeguards personal medical information against invasive investigations. Governor Moore's actions, with input and guidance from L4GG and partners like the National Center for Transgender Equality, have solidified Maryland as a haven of rights, marking it the 9th state to robustly protect gender-affirming care.

NEW YORK, JUNE 25, 2023: A year after the Dobbs decision and with L4GG helping to lead advocacy, New York passed legislation that empowers providers with telehealth reproductive healthcare capabilities, while also giving them legal protection against restrictive out-of-state laws. Furthermore, the state has put its foot down against any discrimination based on gender-affirming care decisions, prioritized addiction services tailored to gender identity and expression, and moved toward a more inclusive language in its legal lexicon.

To learn more about our fight for gender-affirming care, visit L4GG.org/BodilyAutonomy.

 
 

Expanding Reproductive Health Legal Resources

In our spring newsletter, we announced L4GG’s Reproductive Health Digest, a bi-weekly newsletter highlighting important reproductive health law changes. To keep up with the constantly fluctuating state-level health policies around reproductive care since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the digest contains easy-to-follow highlights of the most notable policy changes over the last two weeks. 

L4GG is excited to announce that we will soon offer an even more in-depth resource to anyone needing legal guidance around state laws on reproductive health. All information for the Repro Digest is pulled from our research database, which is updated daily with legal changes by a team of 600+ pro bono attorneys. Until this point, the research database has been private to L4GG and our attorney teams, but we recently launched a public-facing portal that will provide access to the research database and other resources for verified partners. 

Be on the lookout for more information in the coming weeks on how to request access to this important resource for healthcare providers, lawyers, and other advocates.

 

A sneak-peek into the Reproductive Health Legal Assistance Project Portal.

 

Fighting for Climate Justice in Communities of Color

Historically, communities of color have been systematically excluded from decision-making processes regarding climate and infrastructure. L4GG is actively fighting to right this injustice and ensure that directly affected communities have a seat at the table.

  • L4GG Fights for Climate Equity in Indiana

In our spring newsletter, we announced the launch of our Decarbonization and Climate Resilience Funding Clinic (renamed to the Green and Equitable Communities Clinic in 2024). Now, we are excited to share a significant win we secured with one of our clinic clients, the Indiana State Conference of the NAACP.

Indiana is preparing to deploy over $100 million in federal funds to develop Electric Vehicle supply equipment (think: charging stations) and is developing EV siting regulations through the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). Through L4GG’s efforts, the Indiana NAACP was able to secure intervenor status in the IURC proceedings, meaning they will have a voice that is equal to the major utility companies when these EV decisions are formulated.

Alarmingly, during the IURC process, the utility companies claimed that considering EV siting in communities of color and low-income areas would be “impractical and burdensome" - a sentiment that resonates with a deep-rooted history of environmental racism.

In response, L4GG promptly arranged a dialogue between the utility group and the Indiana NAACP and arranged for the Indiana NAACP to hold a press conference alerting the media to the importance of the docket. Although the parties are still waiting on a Final Order from the Commission in this docket, it is a major achievement that the Indiana NAACP got a seat at the table, and was able to lend their voice to the issue of the future of EV siting in the state.

 
 

  • New Report Sheds Light on Benton Harbor's Ongoing Water Crisis

L4GG, in collaboration with the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center, has just published a groundbreaking report on behalf of the Benton Harbor Community Water Council. This report, "Lessons from the Frontlines of the Benton Harbor Water Crisis," provides crucial insights into the lead emergency in Benton Harbor and the government's delayed response In fact, it took federal, state, and local governments twice as long to address the lead emergency in Benton Harbor compared to Flint.

But the crisis doesn't end with lead. Our report also warns of an imminent water affordability catastrophe in Benton Harbor. Without immediate intervention, the average household water bill could inflate dramatically, burdening families with costs that exceed five times the EPA's affordability threshold. The report serves as both an urgent call to action and a comprehensive guide, offering policy solutions and equitable rate structures to avert future crises.

L4GG is committed to making climate equity a reality. To learn more about our efforts, click here.

Supporting Migrants Amidst Uncertainty:
L4GG’s TPS Pro Bono Project

Vulnerable migrants, such as those fleeing conflict or persecution, deeply need safety, stability, and the chance to work and rebuild their lives. The United States recognizes these challenges through Temporary Protected Status (TPS), an immigration status that protects individuals from certain countries marked by extreme situations. L4GG’s TPS Pro Bono Project ensures vulnerable migrants aren’t returned to potentially life-threatening environments by helping them complete vital immigration forms that shield them from deportation and provide them the opportunity to work in the U.S. for up to 18 months.

One of our clients in the TPS Pro Bono Project is a young woman studying microbiology with dreams of becoming a doctor. She was among the 148 women from the Asian University for Women who escaped Afghanistan in August 2021 amidst the chaos at the Kabul airport. Back in Afghanistan, her mother, already visited multiple times by the Taliban, is in constant fear. The turmoil in Afghanistan has not only upended their lives but has also highlighted the growing dangers for women striving for education. Despite these vast challenges, she remains hopeful, balancing her educational pursuits with her passion to bring attention to her country’s struggles. Thanks to our pro bono assistance, she is on the path towards receiving TPS, allowing her to live, study, and work in the U.S. safely.

Stories like this are a testament to the critical work of the TPS Pro Bono Project. By providing crucial legal assistance, L4GG strives for a safer future for vulnerable migrants. To learn more about our TPS Pro Bono Project, click here.

Invest In Human Rights And Equal Justice

Support our critical work on immigrants’ rights, climate change, racial justice, and other emergent legal issues. We count on your donations, large or small, one-time or monthly. L4GG is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.