first-ever LgbtQ LegaL aiD suMMit a resounDing suCCess
Diversity Committee
Continued from page 32
well as examples and explanations
of the negative biases experienced
by LGBTQ individuals. Over
the next two days, speakers from
around the country presented on
a broad array of topics and legal
issues faced by those in the
LGBTQ community.
Presenters spoke about the
myriad and complex local, state,
and federal laws (or lack thereof)
that protect, or fail to protect,
LGBTQ persons from
employment and housing
discrimination, and offered
thoughtful analysis of the future
of such laws under the current
White House administration.
Practical advice and strategies
were also shared to educate
advocates who help LGBTQ
individuals obtain health care
benefits and veteran’s benefits
and access governmental forms
to assist transgendered individuals
in changing their names. The
Summit also included sessions
focused on issues LGBTQ youth
and adults face under various
JAN - FEB 2018
|
HCBA LAWYER
immigration, veterans, and family
laws, such as obtaining and
changing government records,
accessing education, and
interacting with the criminal
justice system. Those sessions
additionally identified the services
LGBTQ individuals can access if
they are veterans or immigrants.
Organizations came to educate
attendees about the overlay of
economic and social obstacles
minority individuals and children
in the foster care system face
when they are also part of the
LGBTQ community. There was
also a presentation on the legal
and community’s response to the
Pulse nightclub tragedy in Orlando
last year.
Hayley Gorenberg, deputy legal
director and general counsel of
Lambda Legal, was the keynote
speaker at the Summit. Lambda
Legal is the largest national
nonprofit organization dedicated
to advocating, litigating, and
educating others on behalf of
LGBTQ individuals and all
individuals living with HIV.
Gorenberg highlighted specific
issues faced by LGBTQ
individuals, specifically healthcare
access issues LGBTQ persons
encounter with medical providers.
She encouraged attendees to
continue educating themselves
on LGBTQ issues and to use this
knowledge to identify and address
issues faced by members of the
LGBTQ community.
The Summit ended with legal
aid and service providers meeting
to discuss how they could best
address the needs of the LGBTQ
community within their respective
regions. The organizers of this
Summit hope to make this an
annual event where legal aid
programs, service providers, and
advocates can continue to develop
strategies and implement solutions
for the LGBTQ
community
in Florida.
Author:
Amanda Chafin –
Buchanan,
Ingersoll &
Rooney, P.C.
33