Sylvia Rivera Law Project
Dean Spade, Founder
The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) works to guarantee that all people are free to self- determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination or violence. SRLP is a collective organization founded on the understanding that gender self-determination is inextricably intertwined with racial, social and economic justice. It seeks to increase the political voice and visibility of low-income people of color who are transgender, intersex or gender non-conforming. SRLP works to improve access to respectful and affirming social, health, and legal services for its communities. It believes that to create meaningful political participation and leadership, there must be access to basic means of survival and safety from violence.
SRLP provides individual legal services as well as works on precedent-setting lawsuits that are expanding the legal rights of transgender, intersex and gender non-conforming people. It works to change public policies that bar full inclusion, equal access and protection and helped draft compliance guidelines for anti-discrimination legislation. SRLP supports campaigns to end violence and discrimination in schools, foster care, and juvenile jails and conducts leadership development among transgender youth. Members provide legal workshops and educational materials. By partnering direct legal services with organizing and with innovative leadership and governance models, SRLP maximizes the impact of its agenda for change and equality.