The National Center for Lesbian Rights ( NCLR ) announced that after more than 22 years, Kate Kendell will be stepping down from her role as executive director at the end of this year.
NCLR was the first lesbian-led national legal organization and has been fighting for equality for the full LGBTQ community for more than 40 years. Under Kendell's leadership, NCLR has been central to the fight for LGBTQ equality, including marriage equality, protections for LGBTQ families and youth, and the ongoing fight to stop Trump's transgender military ban.
In a statement, Kendell said, "My time at NCLR has widened my vistas and laid open my heart. I am honored to have held this position and privileged to have experienced the countless moments of joy and awe that have forever changed our lives as LGBTQ individuals. I've been at the center of enormous NCLR victories, four at the U.S. Supreme Court, including the freedom to marrya fight that seemed impossible to many when I became executive director 22 years ago.
"I feel enormous gratitude to have been a part of the NCLR legacy and part of the history of the fightstill on-goingfor justice for all LGBTQ people.
"And under an administration committed to rolling back our rights, jeopardizing the lives of LGBTQ immigrants, failing to protect our youth, and committed to denying critical access to health care, NCLR has never been more important.
"I am confident that a new generation of NCLR leadership, hand-in-hand with our dedicated staff, will chart a bold, fierce future for our community."