  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Since the 1970s, the LGBT movement has made strides in protection and fairness in communities across the country. Despite these accomplishments, Kendall raises the passage of California's Prop. 8 as a prime example of how far we still have to go.
Kate Kendell leads the National Center for Lesbian Rights, a legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. In 1994 she joined NCLR as legal director, and was named executive director two years later. Known for her work as lead counsel in California’s historic marriage case, as well as the ensuing lawsuit challenging California’s Prop 8 ballot initiative, Kendell and NCLR have propelled the issues facing the LGBT community—from marriage equality to immigration policy—to center stage in our nation’s discussion of civil rights. Growing up Mormon in Utah, Kendell learned early about the complexities of religion and politics. After receiving her J.D. from the University of Utah College of Law in 1988, she became the first staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah, where she litigated many high profile cases. Kendell is an active voice in major media, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Advocate, NPR, and CNN.
What is your momentum? : I am inspired by the words of Eleanor Roosevelt: "We gain strength, courage, and confidence when we stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot."
