YEAR-END REPORT 2024

It’s been an inspiring journey and we've truly felt the support of our wonderful communities as we’ve built up our programs and operations over the last seven years. We're honored to serve so many clients in need directly in New York, and to be part of innovative family policy developments worldwide. 

Since our inception in 2017, we have:

• Directly supported hundreds of individuals & families with free legal services in New York, 
• Trained hundreds of attorneys about inclusive family law, 
• Drafted and passed groundbreaking legislation, and 
• Educated millions of people worldwide about the future of family law.

In 2024, as we continue that work and have expanded, we have had an incredibly productive year. This year, we:

Had hundreds of families and individuals contact us for services or support - especially after the election. We strive to answer everyone who contacts us, and all were sent information, referrals, or intakes.

Provided free direct services to many families and individuals in New York, including Second Parent Adoptions and Parentage Orders, Name and/or Gender Marker Change Orders, Will and Estate Family Protection Packages, and Known Donor Agreements.

Implemented a recurring name change clinic in partnership with the Hudson Valley LGBTQ+ Center in Kingston, NY and provided information to dozens of residents on how to file their own petitions.

Researched and published several new public education materials on our website after the election when we received a huge influx of questions and requests for help (4x the usual number), posting the information on social media and creating a new FAQ page with updated public information to help families understand the legal implications of a new administration and get the support they need to protect themselves, which were cited in media nationwide & shared widely online:  https://chosenfamilylawcenter.org/faq

Worked to introduce and pass more citywide non-discrimination bills. Executive Director Diana Adams and Senior Legal Director Andy Izenson co-founded the Polyamory Legal Advocacy Coalition (PLAC) in collaboration with Harvard Law School and other policy leaders to draft and pass the nation’s first legislation for multi-partner domestic partnerships and relationship structure non-discrimination laws in Somerville, Cambridge & Arlington MA in 2020-2023. In 2024, this same group worked to introduce and pass a non-discrimination bill in Berkeley and Oakland, California. This work has received worldwide press and spurred national and international conversation about the reality of family diversity beyond nuclear families. 

Continued to impact policy through features in international and national press including: In January, Diana’s Ted Radio Hour interview was also featured again for the second time by NPR. Diana’s Welcome Change talk with Ashoka’s Irene Milliero launched on February 14, 2024, and CFLC was featured in a Washington Post article about Rhaina Cohen’s new book on marriage. In April, Diana was featured on Mothers Who Inspire about supporting queer & chosen mothers, and profiled in Forbes as an entrepreneur. Also in April, Curbed/NY Magazine featured a story about two of CFLC’s clients! In May, the Cut featured Diana and CFLC regarding sperm donors. Diana was featured in a USA Today article in July, and interviewed for a Good Housekeeping article about non-nuclear families in September. Andy was featured discussing radical family building in Important Context, and Diana appeared on the popular Savage Lovecast Podcast three times in 2024 to discuss issues facing the LGBTQ+ and polyamorous communities with Dan Savage. Most recently, Diana was interviewed in LGBTQ Nation and The City about the reaction to the election among same-sex couples in NYC, who are rushing to marry. Our full list of media coverage is here.

Hosted two successful fundraisers and community events: Pride + Joy Spectacular, a major Pride Month fundraiser at House of Yes in Brooklyn on June 5th with over 10 performers and 3 sponsors, and our annual Autumn Benefit on October 23rd, which honored Kate Bornstein and brought our community together with hope and resilience. 

Diana's work as an activist and advocate was celebrated with the awarding of Diana’s Ashoka Fellowship for visionary social entrepreneurship, announced early this year.  Diana was also a finalist for the David Prize for visionary New Yorkers, and for the 2025 LGBTQ Award from the New York State Bar Association.

As Senior Legal Director, in addition to representing our clients, Andy's work this year also includes compiling, organizing, and leading professional and public education programs including: public education about the threats to LGBTQIA+ advocates and families from a right-wing administration, professional trainings for medical, mental health, and legal service providers to provide culturally competent and trauma-informed services to community members without suffering threats and consequences to their own lives.