About Us
Our Mission
Transgender Law Center is the largest national, trans-led organization working to set all people free. We champion the right of all transgender and gender-nonconforming people to make their own choices and live freely, safely, and authentically. Prioritizing BIPOC, disabled, and HIV+ communities, we advance community-driven strategies that harness trans knowledge, power, and joy to ensure that we all not only survive but thrive at all ages and phases of life.
Our Vision
We envision a world where transgender liberation intersects with racial, economic, and social justice. In this future, every person, regardless of identity or background, has the autonomy to define and pursue their own path to happiness and fulfillment. We believe that our liberation is interconnected and that none of us are free until all of us are free.
Our History
Founded in 2002, Transgender Law Center (TLC) has grown into the largest trans-specific, trans-led organization in the United States. Our advocacy and precedent-setting litigation victories—in areas including employment, prison conditions, education, immigration, and healthcare—protect and advance the rights of transgender and gender nonconforming people across the country. Through our organizing and movement-building programs, TLC assists, informs, and empowers thousands of individual community members a year and builds towards a long-term, national, trans-led movement for liberation.
TLC was co-founded by Chris Daley and Dylan Vade as a California-focused, fiscally-sponsored project of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR). In 2004, TLC incorporated as its own 501c3 nonprofit organization, focused largely on direct services. In 2015, Kris Hayashi became the first trans person of color to lead an organization of TLC’s size and scope. For two decades, TLC has won precedent-setting legal victories through cases like that of the Ash Whitaker Case and the Shiloh Quine Case, as well as incubated groundbreaking programs including Black Trans Circles Project, Positively Trans Project, the Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project, TRUTH Project, TLC@SONG Project, and the Disability Project. In 2023, Shelby Chestnut became the new executive director after five years as our Director of Policy and Programs, marking the first time a Native trans person has helmed a national LGBTQ organization. Shelby is descended from the Assiniboine tribe of Montana.
Our Values
Justice
We are committed to dismantling oppressive systems to tangibly impact the lives of our communities’ most vulnerable, valuing all identities, and working to ensure no one is left behind.
Empowerment
We empower transgender and
gender nonconforming people in leading movements for social change, centering our voices and experiences.
Self-Determination
We demand the freedom to define ourselves and our futures, while actively supporting our communities in advocating for themselves to live fully, freely, and authentically.
Integrity
We operate with accountability and transparency, guided by community-driven principles, and committed to ethical practices in all endeavors internal and external.
Compassionate Action
We embody fierce compassion— working to extend understanding, patience, kindness, and support to ourselves, our community, and broader movements for justice and equity, promoting healing from harm.
Careers
Transgender Law Center is an extraordinary place to learn and work. Please check back often for career and internship opportunities.
Please note: We cannot respond to telephone or email inquiries.
Financials and Annual Reports
Check our Annual Reports and recent financials for more details information on TLC.