Blog of Rights
Ian S.
Thompson

Ian Thompson is a Legislative Representative in the ACLU’s Washington Legislative Office. In this capacity, Thompson works to advance the organization’s civil liberties and civil rights agenda in Congress and the executive branch by focusing on LGBT rights, HIV/AIDS and sex education. Prior to joining the ACLU in January 2006, Thompson interned in the Washington, D.C., office of Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio). A 2005 graduate of Penn State University, Thompson holds a degree in International Politics.

05/22/2012
Transgender Rights

Critical Transgender Concerns Awaiting Action at the Social Security Administration

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 2:48pm

Late last week, the ACLU joined a letter to the Social Security Administration (SSA) drafted by our coalition partners at the National Center for Transgender Equality. The letter expresses a shared concern over a lack of action from SSA on several policy matters of critical importance to transgender people and their families. 

The three areas addressed in the letter include the need for an updated policy for changing gender information in SSA records; revising guidance regarding marriages involving a transgender spouse to accurately reflect state and federal law; and phasing out the use of gender data in SSA computer matching programs.

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05/21/2012
Marriage for Same-Sex Couples

Historic NAACP Vote Signals the Ultimate Failure of Divisive NOM Strategy

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 5:17pm

On Saturday, the Board of Directors of the NAACP, the nation's oldest, largest and most widely recognized grassroots-based civil rights organization, passed a historic resolution in support of the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. The NAACP said the resolution represents a continuation of its historic commitment to equal protection under the law. Bravo!

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