Gender Equality Law Center Inc

Provides free legal services and advocacy to individuals who have experienced pregnancy discrimination in employment and education, as well as gender-based workplace discrimination including equal pay violations. Operates a legal hotline to provide initial advice on accommodations and legal claims.

Operates an Intake Hotline to provide legal rights information and connect low- and moderate-income individuals with pro bono legal representation.

Operates a legal hotline to assist individuals who believe they have been discriminated against for requesting or taking family leave, providing legal advocacy and rights information.

Provides legal advocacy and education to help victims of intimate partner violence, sexual offenses, and stalking maintain employment and access benefits.

Advocates for comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, including through support for the Equality Act and opposition to discriminatory legislation. Monitored and provided public analysis of landmark Supreme Court cases on LGBTQ+ employment discrimination and advocated against workplace discrimination based on gender identity, expression, sexual orientation, and related stereotypes.

Operates a legal hotline to provide direct legal support and advice to individuals facing LGBTQ+ discrimination in employment.

Conducts community outreach and public education efforts as part of its legal services and advocacy work, including issuing public statements for Women’s Equality Day and Veteran’s Day to affirm support for transgender service members and intersectional feminism.

Provides co-counsel support, legal strategy advice, and mentorship to public and private sector lawyers handling gender discrimination cases. Delivers trainings to nonprofit legal staff on sexual harassment claims, pregnancy accommodations, and best practices in cross-jurisdictional pregnancy discrimination cases.

Conducts virtual trainings for legal professionals and advocates on new federal, state, and local laws related to wage replacement, protected leave, expanded unemployment insurance under the CARES Act, and New York Paid Family Leave.

Advocates for protection of women and LGBTQ+ individuals from sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct in the workplace. Supported passage and implementation of NYC’s Anti-Caregiver Discrimination Amendment and Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to address systemic discrimination.

Advocates for family and paid leave policies that protect employees' economic security during childbirth, caregiving, or bonding. Helped pass Emergency Paid Sick and Family Leave in New York State and contributed to federal legislation during the pandemic, while submitting formal comments during rulemaking and legislative hearings on worker protections.

Advocates to dismantle legal and policy barriers rooted in gender-based bias and stereotyping, with a focus on intersectional issues related to race, age, religion, and socioeconomic status, particularly affecting women, LGBTQ+, and gender non-conforming individuals. Engages in public commentary, policy discussions, and legislative advocacy at federal, state, and local levels.

Uses impact litigation to advance legal protections and dismantle systemic barriers in employment, education, and housing. Achievements include securing full back pay in a pregnancy discrimination case and obtaining probable cause findings from the NYC Commission on Human Rights and NYS Division of Human Rights in discrimination cases.

Hosts law student interns, externs, and participants in the New York State Pro Bono Scholars Program, offering academic credit and meaningful legal experience. Occasionally brings on college graduates for select projects.

Educates young women and female-identified youth about their legal rights and amplifies their voices to promote empowerment and civic engagement.

Identifies root causes of gender-based pay disparity and advocates for legal and policy solutions to close the wage gap, including through public education and policy engagement.