About
Transgender Law Center (TLC) is the largest trans-specific, trans-led organization in the United States. Headquartered in Oakland, California, TLC champions the right of all transgender and gender-nonconforming people to make their own choices and live freely, safely, and authentically, combining legal services and impact litigation with community organizing and leadership development.
Mission
TLC's stated purpose is to champion the right of all transgender and gender-nonconforming people to make their own choices and live freely, safely, and authentically.
What they do
- Provides legal services and impact litigation, with precedent-setting victories in employment, prison conditions, education, immigration, and healthcare
- Operates a Legal Information Helpdesk that assists, informs, and empowers thousands of individual community members each year
- Runs Black Trans Circles, a healing and leadership program for Black trans women
- Leads Positively Trans, supporting trans people living with HIV
- Houses the Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project
- Develops young leaders through its Gender Justice Leadership Programs, including the TRUTH Project
- Advances disability justice through the Disability Project
History
Transgender Law Center was established in 2002 as a California-focused project, launched by co-founders Chris Daley and Dylan Vade under fiscal sponsorship from the National Center for Lesbian Rights. It incorporated as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2004 and has since grown into a national organization. In 2023, Shelby Chestnut became executive director, notably the first Native trans person to lead a national LGBTQ organization.
Financials
Transgender Law Center is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization (EIN 05-0544006). Per ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, in fiscal year 2024 the organization reported total revenue of 15,659,809 dollars, total expenses of 18,078,690 dollars, and net assets of 34,778,540 dollars. In fiscal year 2023 it reported 18.5 million dollars in revenue against 13.6 million dollars in expenses, and in recent years contributions have consistently represented over 90 percent of revenue.
Governance
The organization is led by Executive Director Shelby Chestnut, who is descended from the Assiniboine tribe of Montana and took the role in 2023.
