Whit Washington, who uses they/them pronouns, has joined Lambda Legal as the Eileen A. Ryan Senior Attorney for the Nonbinary & Transgender Rights Project, a new position funded by a $1.5 million gift from Dr. Eileen Amy Ryan, Lambda Legal said Thursday.
Washington, whose first day was Monday, told Law360 Pulse in a statement Friday that they were attracted to Lambda Legal by the opportunity to engage in larger systems change.
"Throughout my career, the bulk of my work has focused on individual advocacy for transgender people in prisons and jails across the United States, and I was at a point where the larger systems patterns were making it incredibly difficult to access justice, reduce harm, or realize safety for the folks I served," Washington said. "With this opportunity at Lambda Legal, I hope to bring my lessons learned from 1:1 advocacy to the larger systems change conversation."
They added that for over 50 years, Lambda Legal has been at the forefront of progress for the LGBTQ community and that they hope their experience, plus the organization's legacy, will bring about a future where everyone is free.
"Sasha Buchert, Nonbinary & Transgender Rights Project director at Lambda Legal, was one of the first attorneys I worked with when I started doing this work as a law student, and I am so excited for the opportunity to work with her again," Washington said.
Ryan's donation established the position to support the continued expansion of the organization's work to defend against the attacks against the transgender community, according to Lambda Legal.
"Supporting Lambda Legal's vital work for the LGBTQ+ community is not just a commitment — it's a necessity," Ryan said in the statement. "I am so thrilled that Whit will be bringing us their expertise and passion. Helping to make this happen is my way of ensuring the fight for equality continues. As a transgender woman myself, I know we need to create a defense against the unrelenting attacks targeting our community, and we need it now. I stand with love, not hate."
Washington has more than eight years of experience advancing equity and inclusion through legal strategies and community collaboration, Lambda Legal said.
Before joining Lambda Legal, Washington was a staff attorney at the Miss Major Alexander Lee TGIJP Black Trans Cultural Center for three years, they told Law360 Pulse.
Washington added that they have also done work for the Public Defender Service of DC, National Center for Trans Equality, now A4TE, Transgender Law Center and private attorneys with a focus on prison litigation and queer family formation and a family foundation.
Washington previously served as an equal justice works fellow at American University's Washington College of Law, where they launched the "Project for Transgender Incarcerated Survivors," aimed at expanding access to justice for trans people in custody, according to Lambda Legal.
"We are overjoyed to welcome Whit as the Eileen A. Ryan Senior Attorney for the Nonbinary & Transgender Rights Project," Lambda Legal CEO Kevin Jennings said. "We want to continue to send a clear message to our nonbinary and transgender friends and family — we see you, we hear you, and we are bringing the best of the best to continue fighting for you."
Washington has an undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Redlands Johnston Center for Integrative Studies, a law degree from the American University's Washington College of Law and a master's degree in international affairs from the American University School of International Service.
--Editing by Drashti Mehta.
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