James D. Esseks is director of the ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender & AIDS Project , where he has worked since 2001. At the ACLU, Mr. Esseks oversees litigation around the country that aims to ensure equal treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people by the government; equal rights and protections for LGBT couples and families; protection from discrimination in jobs, schools, housing, and public accommodations; and fair treatment by the government of people living with HIV. Prior to joining the ACLU, Mr. Esseks was a partner at Vladeck, Waldman, Elias & Engelhard, P.C., in New York, where he represented employees in a range of employment matters. Mr. Esseks graduated from Yale College and Harvard Law School, where he was editor-in-chief of the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review. He 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. Periodically Mr. Esseks permits 10,000 Couples to reprint his posts for our readers. Consider making a gift to support the ACLU's LGBT Rights work www.aclu.org/LGBTdonate
Thu, Jun 16, 2011
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual people working for private employers in Mississippi, as well as in 28 other states, have no protection against workplace bias, under either state or federal law.
Fri, Oct 08, 2010
James Esseks, ACLU has something else to say about the Reverend Phelps.
Sat, Jul 10, 2010
ACLU LGBT & AIDS Project Director, James D. Esseks explains what this weeks Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) decisions really mean.
Tue, Jul 20, 2010
After getting an initial ruling from the federal judge that the school district had violated Constance’s free speech rights, the ACLU pressed ahead with a lawsuit and here is what happened.
Wed, Aug 04, 2010
By now you’ve surely heard about yesterday’s smashing victory in the Perry v. Schwarzenegger federal marriage case in San Francisco. Three of Judge Walker’s factual findings stand out. James Esseks, ACLU Discusses.
Wed, Oct 20, 2010
Andre Cooley is one of those unexpected American success stories – people who take significant obstacles in stride, create a better life for themselves through sheer willpower, and even find a way to help others.
Wed, Nov 10, 2010
Just in time for Veterans Day, the ACLU is taking on new fight against DADT discrimination.
Tue, Nov 09, 2010
On November 9, 2010, ACLU filed a constitutional challenge to the so-called Defense of Marriage Act in federal court in New York City. It follows on the heels of the DOMA challenge that Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders won last summer, and highlights a different harm that DOMA has inflicted on an extraordinary lesbian couple that shared a life together for 44 years.
Sat, Dec 04, 2010
Moving between Illinois and Missouri
Thu, Feb 24, 2011
The Obama administration agrees that "when the government treats gay people differently than straight people, it’s got to have a very good reason for the discrimination" and stands down in fight for DOMA.
Tue, Jul 19, 2011
Non-discrimination statutes and freedom-to-marry laws become increasingly central to the public debate around gay marriage and civil unions.
Wed, Dec 21, 2011
ACLU making progress and threatening to see slackers in court
Sat, Mar 03, 2012
Lesson learned: "The ACLU means business and they will f@#k you up."
Wed, Feb 08, 2012
Can the decision in any municipality really be that important to the achievement of marriage equality nationally? The ACLU says yes.
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