35 Facts About Chase Strangio

Early Life and Education

Chase Strangio's journey to becoming a champion of transgender rights began with a solid educational foundation and early career experiences.

1. Birth and Nationality: Chase Strangio was born in 1982 or 1983 and is an American citizen.

2. Education: Strangio graduated from Grinnell College in 2004 before pursuing his law degree at Northeastern University School of Law.

3. Mentorship: During his time at Northeastern University School of Law, Strangio was heavily influenced by his mentor, Libby Adler, who criticized prominent legal strategies for improving LGBT+ lives in the US. Adler emphasized the need to change the legal framework rather than just working within it.

Professional Beginnings

Before joining the ACLU, Strangio gained valuable experience working with various organizations dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights.

4. Early Career: Before joining the ACLU, Strangio worked as a paralegal at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), where he was involved in impact litigation.

5. Sylvia Rivera Law Project: Strangio worked at the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, which provides pro bono legal services to low-income transgender, intersex, and gender non-conforming individuals, as well as people of color.

6. Legal Aid Society Experience: During his time at Northeastern University School of Law, Strangio participated in all aspects of criminal proceedings, including arraignments and trials, while working side by side with public defenders at the Legal Aid Society.

Joining the ACLU

Strangio's work with the ACLU has been pivotal in advancing transgender rights through landmark cases and advocacy.

7. ACLU Membership: Strangio joined the ACLU in 2013 and has been involved in several landmark cases, including representing Chelsea Manning, a transgender US soldier whose sentence was commuted by President Obama in 2017.

8. Gavin Grimm Case: Strangio was part of the ACLU team that represented Gavin Grimm, a trans teenager who filed a Title IX suit against his school after it passed a resolution limiting access to changing rooms and toilets based on biological gender. The case made it to the Supreme Court and was eventually decided in favor of Grimm.

9. Bostock v. Clayton County: In 2020, Strangio was a key member of the legal team in the case of Bostock v. Clayton County, which came before the Supreme Court. The plaintiffs claimed that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The Supreme Court agreed, holding that an employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender defies the law.

Landmark Cases and Advocacy

Strangio has been involved in numerous high-profile cases that have shaped the legal landscape for transgender rights.

10. Representation of Chelsea Manning: Strangio was counsel for Chelsea Manning, who came out as trans while in military custody. Manning’s sentence was commuted by President Obama in 2017.

11. Challenge to North Carolina’s HB2: Strangio was part of the ACLU team challenging North Carolina’s notorious HB2, also known as the bathroom bill, which restricted access to public restrooms based on biological gender.

12. Challenge to Trump’s Trans Military Ban: Strangio was counsel in the ACLU’s challenge to President Trump’s trans military ban, known as Stone v. Trump.

13. Case of Aimee Stephens: Strangio represented Aimee Stephens in the historic Supreme Court case R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v EEOC, which led to a landmark 6-3 ruling that the 1964 Civil Rights Act’s prohibition on sex discrimination in employment extended to discrimination against LGBTQ workers.

14. U.S. v. Skrmetti: On December 4, 2024, Strangio presented oral arguments on behalf of private plaintiffs in U.S. v. Skrmetti, a landmark Supreme Court challenge to a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth.

Awards and Recognition

Strangio's contributions have not gone unnoticed, earning him numerous awards and honors.

15. Awards and Honors: Strangio has received numerous awards and honors, including the Harvard Law School Wasserstein Fellow (2018-19), Association of LGBTQ Journalists Excellence in Opinion/Editorial Writing Award (2018), Honorary Degree recipient from Grinnell College (May 2018), and National LGBT Bar Association Top 40 LGBT Lawyers Under 40 (2018).

16. Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People: In 2020, Time magazine named Chase Strangio to its list of the 100 Most Influential People of the Year, recognizing his significant contributions to transgender rights.

Initiatives and Community Work

Beyond his legal work, Strangio has co-founded several initiatives aimed at supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

17. Founding Lorena Borjas Community Fund: In 2012, Strangio co-founded the Lorena Borjas Community Fund with Lorena Borjas, a transgender and immigrant rights activist. The fund provides bail and bond assistance to LGBTQ+ immigrants.

18. Trans Week of Visibility and Action Co-Founder: Strangio is also a co-founder of the Trans Week of Visibility and Action, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about transgender issues and promoting advocacy.

19. Trans Santa Co-Founder: Another initiative he co-founded is TranSanta, which aims to provide gifts to transgender youth during the holiday season.

Media and Public Engagement

Strangio's influence extends beyond the courtroom, with numerous media appearances and public speaking engagements.

20. Media Appearances: Strangio has appeared on various media platforms, including Rachel Maddow, Vice, NowThis, PBS NewsHour, Democracy Now, and Pod Save America.

21. Commentary and Writing: Strangio has written extensively on trans rights issues, contributing to publications like TIME, Slate, and Quartz. His writings often focus on the intersection of law, culture, and politics in the context of transgender rights.

22. Seminars and Lectures: Strangio has conducted seminars at institutions like the University of Chicago, where he explores the history of trans rights, trans bodies, and trans justice. His seminars provide an inside view into how the nation got to its current political moment regarding trans rights.

23. Pritzker Fellow: In Fall 2023, Strangio was a Pritzker Fellow at the University of Chicago, leading seminars on the frontlines of transgender legal battles.

Continued Advocacy and Impact

Strangio's work continues to make a significant impact on the fight for transgender rights and broader LGBTQ+ advocacy.

24. Impact Litigation: Strangio’s work includes legislative and litigation administrative advocacy on behalf of the queer community and those living with HIV across the US.

25. Co-Director of ACLU’s LGBT & HIV Project: Strangio is the Co-Director of the ACLU’s LGBT & HIV Project, focusing on impact litigation, legislative, and administrative advocacy for LGBTQ+ people and those living with HIV.

26. Bioethics and the Law: Strangio has been involved in discussions around bioethics and the law, particularly in the context of transgender health care and medical rights.

27. Federal Courts and the Federal System: His experience includes working within federal courts and the federal system, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights at various levels of the judiciary.

28. Gender and Sexuality Law: Strangio has a deep understanding of gender and sexuality law, which he applies in his advocacy work to ensure that transgender individuals are protected under existing legal frameworks.

29. Ending the Prison Industrial Complex: Strangio has been involved in efforts to end the prison industrial complex, recognizing the disproportionate impact it has on marginalized communities, including transgender individuals.

30. National Lawyers Guild and Queer Caucus: He has been part of the National Lawyers Guild and its Queer Caucus, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights within the legal profession and broader social justice movements.

Personal and Community Contributions

Strangio's dedication extends to personal initiatives and community support efforts.

31. Peter Cicchino Youth Project Experience: On his first co-op, Strangio was involved in direct legal services with homeless and street-involved youth, addressing issues related to public benefits, immigration, and housing at the Peter Cicchino Youth Project.

32. Lorena Borjas Community Fund Co-Founder: Strangio co-founded the Lorena Borjas Community Fund, which provides direct bail/bond assistance to LGBTQ+ immigrants in criminal and immigration cases.

33. Trans Week of Visibility and Action Co-Founder: Strangio is also a co-founder of the Trans Week of Visibility and Action, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about transgender issues and promoting advocacy.

34. Trans Santa Co-Founder: Another initiative he co-founded is TranSanta, which aims to provide gifts to transgender youth during the holiday season.

35. Continued Advocacy: Despite the challenges posed by increasing polarization in the US, Strangio continues to advocate tirelessly for the rights of transgender individuals and the broader LGBTQ+ community, ensuring that their voices are heard and their rights are protected.

Chase Strangio: A Tireless Advocate

Chase Strangio's dedication to transgender rights and LGBTQ+ advocacy has made a lasting impact. From his work with the ACLU to co-founding the Lorena Borjas Community Fund, Strangio has consistently fought for marginalized communities. His involvement in landmark cases like Bostock v. Clayton County and representing Chelsea Manning highlights his commitment to justice. Recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People of 2020, Strangio's influence extends beyond the courtroom. His seminars, media appearances, and writings continue to educate and inspire. Strangio's relentless pursuit of equality ensures that the voices of transgender individuals are heard and their rights protected. His work serves as a beacon of hope and a call to action for future generations of advocates.