New York State Court System LGBTQ+ Advocate Honored by New York State Bar Association
The New York State Bar Association honored Matthew Skinner, the executive director of the New York State Court System’s Richard Failla LGBTQ Commission, with its LGBTQ+ Vanguard Award. “By serving as the head of the Richard Failla LGBTQ Commission, Matthew…
More LGBTQ+ Youth Are in Foster Care and They Need Support
More than one-third of the children in the New York City foster care system are LGBTQ+, according to the city’s Administration for Children’s Services. At an informational session presented by the New York State Bar Association, panelists discussed the challenges…
LGBTQ+ Asylum Seekers Face Extra Challenges
LGBTQ+ asylum seekers have a rough road to travel. Aside from the in-depth requirements that face anyone applying for asylum, government policies, red tape and changing administrations can leave would-be asylees in a holding pattern for years. A recent Continuing…
Supporters of New York ERA Ballot Referendum Prepare for Uphill Battle for Passage in November
Supporters of the New York Equal Rights Amendment to the state constitution outlined their hopes and fears in the runup to the statewide ballot referendum in November. The panel discussion, “Each One Reach One,” focused on the grassroots organizing needed…
Strategies To Be a Culturally Effective Lawyer
"Ten Strategies to be a Culturally Effective Lawyer" was the theme of this year's Constance Baker Motley Symposium at the New York State Bar Association's Annual Meeting this week in New York City. The Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion…
New York State Bar Association Honors LGBTQ+ Attorney Advocate
The New York State Bar Association’s Vanguard Award is presented to Wesley Powell, a partner in the Litigation Department at Willkie Farr & Gallagher and co-chair of its Pro Bono Practice at the association’s Annual Meeting in New York City.…
Perilous Prejudice: LGBTQ+ Rights in Uganda and Beyond
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer rights have a complex history worldwide. Of the numerous countries that have restricted LGBTQ+ rights (see sidebar), Uganda is arguably the most repressive.[1] Although Uganda’s laws have remained largely unenforced for many years, there…
Survey: LGBTQ+ People Do Not Trust Criminal Legal System
LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV do not trust the criminal legal system, according to a survey conducted by Lambda Legal in partnership with Black and Pink National and Strength in Numbers Consulting Group. Richard Saenz, senior attorney at…
Incoming LGBTQ Law Section Chair Sam Buchbauer Says NYSBA Membership Makes National Impact
Sam Buchbauer is a Trusts and Estates attorney at the Law Offices of David A. Caraway in New York City. He will be the chair of the LGBTQ Law Section starting in June. He graduated from the Syracuse University College…
At urging of the NY State Bar Association, ABA Votes To Support LGBTQ Inclusive Language in Court Proceedings Nationwide
The American Bar Association adopted a new policy spearheaded by the New York State Bar Association on the use of gender inclusive language in all court matters across the country. The resolution passed by a wide margin at the ABA…
