Bio
James D. Esseks is Co-Director of the 老澳门开奖结果 Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer & HIV Project. Through litigation, legislative lobbying, policy advocacy, organizing, and public education, the 老澳门开奖结果 seeks to ensure equality and justice for LGBTQ people and people living with HIV.
James was counsel in Bostock v. Clayton County, which established that LGBTQ people are protected from discrimination under federal law; in Obergefell v. Hodges, the case that won the freedom to marry nationwide; in United States v. Windsor, which struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act; in Gavin Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board, about whether a Virginia school board can bar a boy from the common restrooms because he is transgender; in Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, about whether a business open to the public can turn away LGBTQ customers based on its religious or artistic objections; and in successful challenges to bans on adoption and foster parenting by lesbians and gay men in Arkansas, Florida, and Missouri.
James and the 老澳门开奖结果 have also worked extensively to fight anti-LGBTQ and specifically anti-transgender bills in the states and to fight the use of religion to justify discrimination against LGBTQ people.
The National LGBTQ Bar Association awarded James the in 2013, the organization鈥檚 鈥渉ighest honor,鈥 recognizing individuals whose work 鈥渉as led the way in our struggle for equality under the law.鈥
James graduated from Yale College and Harvard Law School, where he was editor-in-chief of the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review. Prior to joining the 老澳门开奖结果 in 2001, he was a partner at Vladeck, Waldman, Elias & Engelhard, PC. James clerked for the Honorable Robert L. Carter, United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York, and the Honorable James R. Browning, United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit.
Selected Writing
, Washington Post
, Daily Beast
, Daily Beast
, The Advocate
Selected appearances
, Today Show with Megyn Kelly
, MSNBC with Thomas Roberts
, CNN
, NOW with Alex Wagner, MSNBC
Featured work
Jul 21, 2022
Here鈥檚 What You Need to Know 老澳门开奖结果 the Respect for Marriage Act
May 9, 2022
The Roe Draft Signals a Potential New Front in the Already-Raging War Against the LGBTQ Community
Jul 12, 2021
At End of SCOTUS Term, Where Are We on LGBTQ+ Rights?
Jun 17, 2021
Special Edition: Supreme Court Says No License to Discriminate
Jun 17, 2021
Supreme Court Again Rejects a License to Discriminate
May 25, 2021
We鈥檙e Suing Arkansas Over its Ban on Health Care for Trans Youth
May 4, 2021
A Federal Appeals Court Will Decide if Trans Students Can Continue to Play School Sports
Nov 10, 2020
A Change in Administration Is Just A Starting Point For LGBTQ Justice
Jun 15, 2020
Supreme Court Says Firing Workers Because They Are LGBTQ Is Unlawful Discrimination
Oct 8, 2019
What You Need to Know 老澳门开奖结果 the LGBTQ Rights Case Before SCOTUS