The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Legal Services Department assists more than 5,000 people each year by providing counsel and advice in most areas of law, self-help support, representation, referrals, hate crime victim services, and violence education. The Legal Clinic provides one-on-one attorney consultations on a no- or low-cost basis to clients in need of counsel and advice regarding a wide-range of legal issues, including business civil rights, consumer, criminal, employment, family, government benefits, immigration, insurance, landlord/tenant issues, personal injury, and wills and estates. Within the Legal Clinic, there are three unique legal assistance programs. The Immigration Law Project is the only program in southern California specifically addressing the immigration law needs of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgender persons. The Pro Per Project provides no- and low-cost assistance to clients who need to file papers related to evictions, name changes, restraining orders, wills, powers of attorneys and basic immigration and naturalization applications forms. The State Bar-certified Lawyer Referral Service provides access to attorneys who represent clients who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or living with HIV/AIDS. The Legal Services Department also offers two programs that combat violence and offer supports and education to victims of violence. The Anti-Violence Project (AVP) is the largest victim services program in Southern California. AVP provides counseling, documentation, and advocacy to victims of homophobic, anti-transgender, and anti-HIV/AIDS violence, threats of violence, vandalism and harassment. The Safe Haven Project is a school-based program to combat hate violence and harassment against youth in LAUSD senior high schools. To contact the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Legal Services Department, call Location L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
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