News
As members of the LGBTQ and Muslim communities in America, we are joined in solidarity, grief and outrage at the horrific attack that unfolded in Orlando on June 12. Our hearts, our thoughts and our prayers are with the victims, their families and the LGBTQ communities, particularly LGBTQ Latino communities.
In this moment of immense sadness and outrage, we stand together united against fear, hate and violence. We will not lose hope in the people and communities around us because we know we are stronger together.
In standing together, hand in hand, across every faith, we send a powerful message to those who seek to divide us using hatred and violence: love is stronger than hate and hope will defeat fear.
We draw our hope and our inspiration by the example set by hundreds of inspiring Floridians who lined up around city blocks in Orlando, answering the call to donate blood.
We draw our hope and our inspiration in the example set by brave first responders who ran into – not away from – harm to help the wounded and prevent further violence.
We draw our hope and our inspiration from the hundreds of interfaith vigils that have sprung up across the world with a clear message: love is stronger than hate.
In the days ahead there will be more calls to define an enemy. There will be cynical efforts to pit groups of Americans – many of whom share a history of being victims of suspicion and discrimination – against one another and to increase surveillance of entire communities, based solely on how they look or how they pray.
We stand united against these efforts to divide us. We are reminded that as our communities stand together, we are in fact one community – which includes LGBTQ Latinos and LGBTQ Muslims, who are targeted both as Muslims and as members of the LGBTQ community.
Now is the time for people of all faiths, sexual orientations, gender identities, and backgrounds, to come together and refuse to allow this tragic act of violence and hate to divide us.
We are stronger together, and together, we will move forward with love and acceptance for all.
Signed,
American Civil Liberties Union LGBT Project
American Muslim Advisory Council (AMAC)
American Muslim Health Professionals
Arcus Foundation
Bisexual Resource Center
Center for Black Equity
Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies in Religion
Centerlink: The Community of LGBT Centers
Coalition of South Florida Muslim Organizations (COSMOS)
Courage Campaign
Emerge USA
Equality Federation
Equality Florida
Faith Matters Network
Family Equality Council
Garden State Equality
Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC)
Georgia Association of Muslim Lawyers
GetEQUAL
Gill Foundation
GLAAD
GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)
GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality
GLSEN
GSA Network – Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network
Human Rights Campaign
interACT: Advocates for Intersex Youth
Islamic Networks Group (ING)
Islamic Society of Central Jersey
Lambda Legal
Marriage Equality USA
Dr. Ingrid Mattson, Former President, Islamic Society of North America; Chair of Islamic Studies in the Faculty of Theology at Huron College at Western University
MECCA Institute
Movement Advancement Project
Muslim Advocates
Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity (MASGD)
Muslim Bar Association of New York
Muslim Community Network
Muslim Justice League
Muslim Legal Fund of America
Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
Muslim Wellness Foundation
Muslims for Progressive Values
Muslims Make it Plain
Muslims4peace.org
National Black Justice Coalition
National Center for Lesbian Rights
National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE)
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs
National LGBTQ Task Force
New Jersey Muslim Lawyers Association
New Ways Ministry
NMAC
Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
PFLAG National
Pride at Work
Religious Institute
Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE)
The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
The New York City Anti-‐Violence Project
The Trevor Project
Trans People of Color Coalition
Trans United Fund
Transgender Law Center (TLC)
Universal Muslim Association of America
Evan Wolfson, Former President, Freedom to Marry
Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual (WATER)
But with Justice Scalia’s death, the Court suddenly finds itself operating with only eight members, and possible tie votes on many of these cases. A tie vote means that the lower court’s decision stands – but does not set a precedent. In some instances, this would be good news, and in others, of course, it would be bad. For example, where the public employee unions had been anticipating a serious loss, the Court did split 4-4 on the case, meaning that a U.S. Court of Appeals decision favoring the unions – and their right to collect basic dues from all employees – will stand. (In another example, the oral argument in the contraception coverage case suggested rather strongly a 4-4 split. However, shortly after the argument, the Court issued an order asking the parties to submit briefs on the potential viability of an alternative way for the religious entities’ request for exemption to be handled. It seems clear that the Court is looking for a solution that avoids a tie and provides a national solution to this controversy.)
One area of GLAD’s work has always been participating in amicus curiae (friend-of-the-court) briefs at the Supreme Court. However, since our community’s victory at the Court in Obergefell – as well as GLAD’s involvement driving the amicus strategy in both Obergefell and the Windsor case striking down DOMA – GLAD and LGBT legal organizations have found ourselves sought after very particularly to weigh in cases as friends of the court. We are seen as having perspectives to offer based on our recent successes in changing the law right up through the Supreme Court. Though none of the cases on the Court’s docket this Term are LGBTQ-specific, a number address issues of clear concern to us.
Here are four examples of cases where GLAD has been involved in various ways in the amicus effort:
Fisher v. Texas: This is the affirmative action case in which white law school applicant Abigail Fisher has challenged the formula used by the University of Texas at Austin to ensure a diverse student body. The case was first at the Court in 2013, when SCOTUS reversed a decision in favor of the University and sent the case back for reconsideration to the 5th Circuit. The 5th circuit once again affirmed the UT affirmative action program, and SCOTUS once again granted review. Arguments were heard in December 2015. (This case is being heard by only seven Justices because Justice Kagan has recused herself. Therefore, this case is not one in danger or a tie vote.)
The National Women’s Law Center approached GLAD and Lambda Legal about collaborating on its amicus brief about diversity as a way to break down stereotypes and enhance the functioning of educational institutions. 
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