Sylvia Rivera Law Project Inc

Provides free, respectful, and affirming legal representation to low-income transgender, intersex, and gender non-conforming (TGNCI) people, including assistance with name changes, updating gender-affirming identification documents, accessing public benefits, appealing denials of transgender-related healthcare, client accompaniment in institutional settings, and referrals for unrepresented legal issues. Operates legal clinics and maintains intake systems to serve TGNCI clients across various legal domains.

Sends messages via postcards to over 70 incarcerated trans, intersex, and gender non-conforming individuals in New York state detention facilities through the Prisoner Postcard Project. Distributes 2–4 postcards annually created by low-income TGNCI people and people of color to maintain connection and solidarity with incarcerated community members.

Provides civil legal assistance to incarcerated transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex individuals in New York City and State facilities, including help with name and document changes, access to hormones and gender-appropriate undergarments, parole preparation, advocacy against sexual violence and solitary confinement, housing and transfer requests, mental health care access, and sentence calculation reviews. Responds to 40–60 letters monthly from incarcerated TGNCI individuals outside New York with legal information and emotional support.

Conducts precedent-setting lawsuits and class action litigation focused on civil defense, civil rights violations, and conditions of confinement for incarcerated TGNCI individuals, including access to healthcare, housing safety, and PREA compliance. Implements policy reform initiatives to combat institutional discrimination based on gender identity and expression, particularly as it intersects with race and class, and provides trans-specific legal analysis and policy recommendations to decision-makers such as the New York City Board of Corrections.

Contributed to policy changes for transgender classification and care in correctional facilities at local, state, and federal levels by supporting development of a national position statement on transgender healthcare in correctional settings and submitting input to the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission. Works to increase the number of government agencies, hospitals, and medical institutions adopting gender-affirming policies.

Delivers "Know Your Rights" trainings and written materials to prepare TGNCI individuals for interactions with law enforcement, particularly during direct actions. Hosts on-site legal clinics and skill shares at community organizations to provide individualized legal advice and education on legal self-advocacy, immigration, police encounters, incarceration, and Medicaid. Conducted trainings for 205 community members and held town halls educating over 150 on healthcare rights.

Delivers training and public education to over 1,194 service providers, attorneys, students, activists, and medical professionals to reduce discrimination against TGNCI people and increase access to safe, competent, and welcoming services. Enhances the intersectional analysis and cultural competency of advocates and practitioners serving TGNCI communities, including immigrants and incarcerated individuals.

Builds leadership, skills, and political power among low-income transgender people and transgender people of color to advance movements for gender, racial, social, and economic justice. Coordinates ongoing meetings for community participation, skill shares, political education, and engagement in campaign work. Increases SRLP membership and leadership capacity among TGNCI immigrants.

Provides legal representation and holistic support to low-income transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex (TGNCI) immigrants and TGNCI people of color, including assistance with immigration status applications and adjustments, obtaining gender-affirming immigration documents (e.g., EADs, green cards, naturalization certificates), screening for relief options (asylum, U/T visas, VAWA, DACA, TPS, SIJS, family-based petitions), and connecting clients to public benefits, healthcare, and Social Security.

Recruits staff and collective members, develops diversity-related policies and programs, creates internal policies and procedures, and produces the Collective Handbook to inform potential members about the organization’s structure and operations. Manages budget planning, donor relationships, fundraising events, and financial systems.

Runs the Prisoner Advisory Committee composed of over 100 currently incarcerated transgender, intersex, and gender non-conforming individuals who guide organizational work, inform policy advocacy, and co-develop public education materials. The PAC addresses state-created barriers to communication and political participation for those impacted by the prison industrial complex and collaborates on developing national position statements and policy strategies.

Produces the In Solidarity newsletter and maintains the PAC Blog in collaboration with incarcerated Prisoner Advisory Committee members, staff, and volunteers to publish uncensored stories, address injustice, and advance gender self-determination. These platforms amplify the voices of incarcerated TGNCI individuals and inform broader advocacy efforts.