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.

08/15/2011
Defense of Marriage Act

NOM Marriage Pledge: A Discriminatory, Tone-Deaf Pitfall

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 5:45pm

The anti-gay National Organization for Marriage (NOM) has been asking presidential hopefuls to sign a pledge stating, among other things, that they would:

support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution barring recognition of marriages involving same-sex couples;

•    defend the discriminatory and unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) against federal court challenges;
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06/20/2008

Ian Thompson: This is Who I Am

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 2:49pm

Growing up in a working class community just north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I, like many other gay men and lesbians, knew at a very early age that I was “different” in some way that I could not quite put my finger on. It wasn’t until about 6th grade that I began connecting the dots. Sound familiar?

I won’t lie and say that those first few early years of trying to wrap my head around what being gay meant were easy. At that age, you really do just want to fit in. It isn’t until college that marching to the beat of a different drummer really is considered cool (maybe by then people just don’t care). Nevertheless, there was no changing who I was, and even during those first confusing years, I really didn’t want to.

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10/02/2012
Marriage for Same-Sex Couples

Important Breakthrough for LGBT Immigrant Families

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office & Joanne Lin, Washington Legislative Office at 1:57pm

In August, over 80 members of Congress, led by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), wrote to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requesting recognition, explicitly and in writing, of the ties of a same-sex partner or spouse as a positive factor for determining discretionary relief in immigration cases.  On Friday, it was reported that DHS had announced it would be issuing new, written guidance providing that relief to LGBT immigrant families. 

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04/27/2012
Marriage for Same-Sex Couples

Racial Justice and LGBT Equality – Moving Beyond the Politics of "Divide and Conquer"

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 4:53pm

It was recently revealed in internal strategy memos from the anti-gay National Organization for Marriage that the organization hoped to pit racial and ethnic minorities against the LGBT community as a way to defeat and rollback gay rights advances, specifically marriage for same-sex couples. The memos included the following: The strategic goal of this project is to drive a wedge between gays and blacks — two key Democratic constituencies. Another expressed goal was to make opposition to marriage for same-sex couples a "key badge of Latino identity."

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01/20/2012
SNDA

Teach Respect, Demand Non-Discrimination

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 10:24am

On Wednesday, a new international effort to combat racism and intolerance in schools was launched at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) with the full backing of the U.S. government. The effort, “Teaching Respect for All,” is designed to develop curriculum for use across the globe to promote tolerance and respect for all people. Importantly, the effort will allow countries to adept the curriculum for different contexts and needs.

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01/09/2012
Sen. Al Franken

Senator Franken Releases New "Making It Better" Video

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 1:50pm

Sen. Al Franken's new video supports passage of the Student Non-Discrimination Act, which would protect LGBT students from discrimination and harassment in public schools.

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10/31/2011
Prison Rape Elimination Act

Trauma Compounded: The Plight of LGBT Immigration Detainees

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 3:00pm

While it is true that physical and sexual abuse is one of the most serious problems for LGBT detainees, it is by no means the only concern facing them.

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09/30/2011
DADT

Pentagon to Allow Chaplains to Officiate Weddings for Gay and Lesbian Service Members

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 3:18pm

Last week, after nearly 18 years and 14,000 dismissals, the demise of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" became official. Earlier today, the Pentagon made clear that military chaplains will be permitted to officiate at wedding ceremonies for gay and lesbian service members in those states where such marriages are legally recognized. In addition, the Pentagon made clear that these marriages can be performed on military bases, as well as other Defense Department facilities.

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09/29/2011
SNDA

ACLU Writes to UNESCO on Homophobia in U.S. Schools

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 12:27pm
09/23/2011
HIV/AIDS

New Legislation Shines Light on the Criminalization of HIV

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 4:18pm

Spit as a deadly weapon? As crazy as it sounds, in some states that is the reality that people living with HIV face.

On Friday afternoon, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) introduced legislation in Congress that will bring some much needed attention to the issue of criminalization of HIV. Rep. Lee's legislation — the REPEAL HIV Discrimination Act — would provide states with incentives and support to reform outdated criminal laws that target people living with HIV.

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