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NCLR Friend and Supporter: An Annual Report tries to do the impossible. Ideally we wish to give you, as our dearest supporters, a clear, concise, and passionate picture of the work we’ve been doing for the past year; graciously and meaningfully thank you for your life-altering and landscape-changing support; generate new and untapped reservoirs of pride and awe in our effort and accomplishments; and inspire you to an even greater level of investment. My effort here will be more modest but critical, for in that list of what we’d like this document to do, the first and foremost task is to thank you. Without your support and commitment, nothing else would be possible. As you review this report you will see a strengthened and ever more effective organization. We have been at the forefront of transformative legal and public policy change. We have launched unprecedented conversations and moved hearts and minds. We have made a positive difference in the lives of individuals and in entire communities. We have felt daily the privilege and responsibility of trying to protect and amplify the security and safety of our clients and the thousands of others who contact us throughout the year seeking assistance and help. And as we begin celebrating our 30th Anniversary, we know that the challenges and opportunities will only increase. We are honored and humbled by your support. Some of you have been investing in us for decades. Whether you are a first-time donor or a longtime supporter, you are the heart of who we are and we carry the trust you place in us every moment of every day. The most spectacular Annual Report cannot capture nor convey how grateful we are and how much you mean to us; however, we hope that our work—done with great passion and effectiveness—does. With great thanks, Kate 1 NCLR’S GROUNDBREAKING LEGAL WORK With your support, the National Center for Lesbian Rights has: Argued successfully in the California Supreme Court to uphold a court order declaring a non-biological mother to be her child’s legal parent despite separating from her partner, and in spite of her partner’s efforts to deny parental status, including custody and visitation. This groundbreaking victory offers unprecedented protections to LGBT families. Challenged Penn State Coach Rene Portland's outrageous twenty-five-year-old “no drugs, no alcohol, no lesbians” policy. The federal lawsuit alleges Portland, athletic director Tim Curley, and Penn State University violated numerous federal and state laws and constitutional protections prohibiting discrimination based on race, gender, and sexual orientation. In addition to representing a courageous student basketball star, Jennifer Harris, this highly visible case has encouraged many athletes to come forward and speak out. Secured initial victory as lead counsel in Woo v. California, when a San Francisco Superior Court Justice ruled that California’s exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage discriminates on the basis of sex and violates the fundamental right to marry. 2 2005 G LEGAL WORK Successfully defended the Persuaded a Florida school board to Secured initial victory for a same- validity of the first marriage of a change its senior portrait policy and sex couple who attempted to post same-sex couple in the Cherokee add sexual orientation to its non- a profile as potential adoptive Nation, inviting a larger discrimination policy for both students parents on Adoption.com, which discussion about the rights of and teachers after a senior high rejected the posting because the two-spirit Native Americans. school student was denied the right to company does not allow same- appear in her senior yearbook sex couples to use their services.