If you have been discriminated against in Colorado because of your sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or HIV status, call the CLIP Legal Hotline at 303-282-6524, or email clip@glbtcolorado.org.

The Center's Legal Initiatives Project (CLIP) receives calls on its Legal Hotline from individuals among Colorado's gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender communities, and those living with HIV. In 2006, CLIP responded to 347 hotline calls or other requests for assistance, such as email requests. For more information about the kinds of calls CLIP received on the hotline in 2006, see the 2006 CLIP Legal Hotline Summary. Also available:  2005 CLIP Legal Hotline Summary and 2004 CLIP Legal Hotline Summary.

The Legal Hotline is our primary means of learning about potential cases of discrimination against GLBT people and persons with HIV in Colorado. CLIP provides direct legal services in a limited number of such cases. In 2005, CLIP accepted seven (7) cases for direct representation, including three (3) cases of discrimination against transgender persons, two (2) cases of HIV discrimination, one (1) case a hostile work environment against a gay man, and one (1) case of hiring discrimination by a federal agency against a lesbian.

Many callers, however, have legal concerns other than discrimination. Typical calls involve individuals who need estate planning for a gay or lesbian couple, landlord/tenant disputes, criminal problems, employment & labor matters, personal injury and torts, and bankruptcy.As a courtesy to such callers, CLIP refers many of them to attorneys in private legal practice in Colorado who are on our referral list. In some cases, we may be able to provide callers with quick advice or information about their legal issues of concern. We also maintain a resource list of other agencies and organizations that may be able to assist callers.

A CLIP attorney referral does not constitute an endorsement of the attorney's services. Referrals simply put callers into contact with attorneys who are sympathetic to GLBT communities. Because of the ongoing oppression faced by GLBT people, many of our callers worry that they may be treated unfairly when accessing legal services. The CLIP Legal Hotline thus plays an important role in ensuring that the legal needs of previously-marginalized people are met.

Note: If you are a Colorado attorney interested in serving on our CLIP Referral Attorney List, please click here for our CLIP Attorney Referral FAQ & Sign-Up Form.