SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The National Center for Lesbian Rights ( NCLR ) mourns the tragic loss of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — a true champion for LGBTQ rights in her 27 years on the U.S. Supreme Court. During her tenure, Justice Ginsburg was a pivotal vote for affirming LGBTQ rights, including marriage equality and recognizing the right of employees to work without fear of discrimination due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

"Justice Ginsburg was a warrior for freedom and justice, and we were honored to fight alongside her," said NCLR Executive Director Imani Rupert-Gordon. "That struggle is more important than ever. We will celebrate her life and grieve her loss. But above all, we will honor her legacy by continuing her fight."

"Before she was a Supreme Court justice, Justice Ginsburg was a civil rights activist who waged the battle for women's equality with unwavering determination," said Shannon Minter, NCLR Legal Director. "She never gave up, and she never stopped fighting for freedom and justice for all. Her voice first as an advocate and then as a Supreme Court justice was as powerful as it was unique. Even those who disagreed with her never questioned her integrity or her commitment to the most fundamental principles of our democracy, from the guarantee of equal protection of the laws to the fundamental right to vote. In this moment, when those principles are under attack as never before, we owe it to Justice Ginsburg to honor her legacy by continuing her fight."

While we mourn the loss of the Justice Ginsburg, we do so knowing that the fight continues, including ensuring passage of the Equality Act, ending the dangerous practice of conversion therapy, protecting LGBTQ immigration and asylum seekers, and advocating for racial justice across America. NCLR will continue fighting and advocating for full LGBTQ equality as we have done throughout our 43-year history. We honor her legacy by continuing her fight.

The National Center for Lesbian Rights ( NCLR ) is a national legal organization committed to advancing the human and civil rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. Since its founding, NCLR has maintained a longstanding commitment to racial and economic justice and the LGBTQ community's most vulnerable. Article Link Here .