IOWA, USA — An Iowa nonprofit that offers representation, advocacy and referrals for LGBTQ Iowans is seeing a rapid increase in requests following the 2024 election.
Lavender Legal Center prioritizes LGBTQ youth and low income individuals. The organization was founded in 2020 to provide legal representation and related advocacy to the LGBTQ community.
Lavender Legal Center served just over 70 people in its last fiscal year. In this fiscal year, which began on July 1, Lavender Legal has already served more than 120 people.
"We also know that there's already been increased anti-LGBTQ, specifically anti-trans legislation, and that's really alarming for folks," said Kendra Weston, Executive Director of Lavender Legal Center. "They see courts, legislatures, politicians ready to erase them and their families."
The recent requests have been focused on family formation and protection, as well as name and gender marker changes.
Executive Director Kendra Weston says her best piece of advice is to get protections now rather than waiting.
"We can protect ourselves in times of uncertainty through very careful legal planning," Weston said. "It's an insurance policy."
Weston adds when offering legal advice, the Lavender Legal Center looks at trends from Iowa's laws, what they are seeing from other state laws, as well as federal laws, and they craft a plan from there.
Local 5 reached out to President-elect Donald Trump's team to learn his plans for any potential LGBTQ legislation during his term, but have yet to receive a response.