National Center for Lesbian Rights ( NCLR ) Equal Justice Works Fellow, Alexander Chen, was named one of Forbes 30 Under 30 today for his groundbreaking legal work to expand the rights of transgender youth. At NCLR, Chen works with legal director Shannon Minter, one of the transgender attorneys leading the fight against Trump's transgender military ban. Before his work at NCLR, Chen clerked for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and served as the first openly transgender editor of the Harvard Law Review.
"Today's Forbes recognition is an acknowledgment not just of my accomplishments but of the importance of ensuring that transgender youth can have a bright future," said NCLR Equal Justice Works Fellow and Forbes honoree Alexander Chen. "I am honored to be listed today among so many other gamechangers in the legal profession. Thanks to Forbes for this incredible honor and to NCLR and Equal Justice Works for supporting me to work for critical change."
Chen's project at NCLR focuses on expanding the rights of transgender youth through litigation and policy advocacy. He has long been committed to working for LGBTQ rights. Chen was a Paul and Daisy Soros Fellow, and worked on trans issues at the Department of Justice, the ACLU LGBT Rights Project, and the National Center for Transgender Equality. He clerked on the Ninth Circuit for the Hon. M. Margaret McKeown, and in the Southern District of California for the Hon. Gonzalo P. Curiel. Chen is also a founding member and the current Secretary of the National Trans Bar Association.
"Forbes 30 Under 30 list is about honoring visionaries who will be gamechangers in their respective fields," said NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter. "At NCLR, we are thrilled and honored to work with Alex Chen, whose talent, commitment, and dedication will create a better tomorrow for transgender youth and our community."