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Our Work

Every day we take action that directly contributes to lasting, systemic changes in society. In 1978, our founders envisioned a world free from gender oppression and discrimination. Our first case, Blair v. Washington State University, guaranteed equal access to school sports facilities and programs in Washington State—and set a national precedent. Since then, we have made progress in every area of the law that affects people who face gender discrimination.

Reproductive Freedom

For more than forty years, Legal Voice has been a leader in advancing and protecting rights to reproductive autonomy—basic human rights that have long been subject to political debate and harmful laws. We believe every person has the right to make choices regarding reproduction, including how, whether, and when to become pregnant and what a pregnant person can do with their body.

All too often our right to reproductive health care—including access to contraceptive and abortion care—is cast aside in favor of the purported desire to protect religious freedom. Our legal and policy work addresses this systematic erosion of reproductive rights: we are dedicated to ensuring access to the full range of reproductive health care for everyone, period.

Economic Justice

Economic insecurity has long been tied to gender-based inequities. Cis women, girls, trans people, and nonbinary folks are more likely than men to live in poverty, hold minimum wage jobs, require public assistance, and be denied unemployment benefits. These workers are often deprived of equal opportunity in the workplace because of gender discrimination, including harassment, gender stereotyping, and discrimination based on pregnancy and gender identity, problems made worse for those targeted  by racist and classist structures. 

Since 1978, Legal Voice has been fighting in the courts and the legislature for economic justice and workplace equity for all who face gender discrimination. We will continue to wage these battles until all people have access to the economic security they and their families deserve.

Gender-Based Violence

Legal Voice plays a crucial role in the lives of survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Gender-based violence is prevalent in our society and affects women and trans people in many ways, so ending it is no simple task. That is why our work goes beyond holding perpetrators accountable and focuses on improving the law to help survivors get and stay safe. Survivors often face roadblocks to safety in housing, employment, school, emergency rooms—even in courtrooms. Through litigation, legislative advocacy, and community education, we work tirelessly to eliminate barriers to safety and support for survivors and their children.

Gender Discrimination

We work to eradicate gender-based discrimination in every area where it is present—including schools, workplaces, courtrooms, housing, prisons, and athletic leagues. Gender discrimination can affect all of us, but it has the deepest impact on those furthest from justice: trans folks, people of color, immigrants, and more.

The fight to end gender discrimination can take many forms. It can look like protecting undocumented workers from sexual harassment, ensuring trans students can play on sports teams, or taking down discriminatory housing laws. We work to ensure someone’s gender does not lessen their chances in life.

Healthcare Access

Health care is a fundamental right. Yet gender identity deeply affects peoples’ access to health care. Cis women, trans, and nonbinary people, continue to be denied access to medically necessary care. Laws related to issues like immigration, public assistance, and drug policy frequently result in diminished or no access to health care, especially for immigrants, people of color, and transgender people. Furthermore, hospitals, insurance providers, employers, and state lawmakers continue to create and maintain policies that deny patients access to a full range of care, often in favor of personally held moral or religious objections.

We believe all people should have the right to access the medical care that is best for them. So we are changing the systems that create economic barriers, impose a geographic burden, prioritize personal beliefs over medical science and patient health, or otherwise deny people access to quality, affordable health care services.

Check Out Our Current Legislative Efforts