Shain Filcher, Executive Director of the LGBT Bar of NY, and Professor Emeritus Art Leonard of New York Law School, discuss nationwide cases from the July 2023 edition of LGBT Law Notes, including public accommodation law updates, employment discrimination, protections for collegiate athletes being harassed due to their actual or perceived sexual orientation, and a recent win to protect access to gender affirming healthcare for minors.

Shain Filcher, Executive Director of the LGBT Bar of NY, and Professor Emeritus Art Leonard of New York Law School, discuss nationwide cases from the July 2023 edition of LGBT Law Notes, including public accommodation law updates, employment discrimination, protections for collegiate athletes being harassed due to their actual or perceived sexual orientation, and a recent win to protect access to gender affirming healthcare for minors.

July 2023 Law Notes: Standing and Standing Up against Discrimination

In response to 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, the LGBT Bar NY is hosting a special episode to examine the initial impact of the ruling on LGBTQ+ people. Shain Filcher, Executive Director of the LGBT Bar of NY, and Professor Emeritus Art Leonard of New York Law School sat down to discuss this historic 6-3 SCOTUS decision in favor of a prospective wedding website designer who did not want to create wedding announcement websites for LGBTQ+ couples seeking to announce their upcoming nuptials. 

In response to 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, the LGBT Bar NY is hosting a special episode to examine the initial impact of the ruling on LGBTQ+ people. Shain Filcher, Executive Director of the LGBT Bar of NY, and Professor Emeritus Art Leonard of New York Law School sat down to discuss this historic 6-3 SCOTUS decision in favor of a prospective wedding website designer who did not want to create wedding announcement websites for LGBTQ+ couples seeking to announce their upcoming nuptials.

303 Rapid Response

Shain Filcher, Executive Director of the LGBT Bar of NY, and Professor Emeritus Art Leonard of New York Law School, discuss nationwide cases from the June 2023 edition of LGBT Law Notes, including protections for incarcerated transgender people and people living with HIV. Special guest Parker Rose Wingate stops by to discuss her recent publication examining gender-affirming healthcare as symbolic speech entitled to First Amendment protections.  To read Parker's article, visit https://lawandinequality.org/article/trans-bodies-trans-speech/

Shain Filcher, Executive Director of the LGBT Bar of NY, and Professor Emeritus Art Leonard of New York Law School, discuss nationwide cases from the June 2023 edition of LGBT Law Notes, including protections for incarcerated transgender people and people living with HIV. Special guest Parker Rose Wingate stops by to discuss her recent publication examining gender-affirming healthcare as symbolic speech entitled to First Amendment protections.  To read Parker's article, visit <a href="https://lawandinequality.org/article/trans-bodies-trans-speech/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://lawandinequality.org/article/trans-bodies-trans-speech/</a>

2023 Pride Month Law Notes

Shain Filcher, Executive Director of the LGBT Bar of NY, and Professor Emeritus Art Leonard of New York Law School, discuss nationwide cases from the May 2023 edition of LGBT Law Notes, focusing on the rights of transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people to socially, legally, and medically transition. 

Shain Filcher, Executive Director of the LGBT Bar of NY, and Professor Emeritus Art Leonard of New York Law School, discuss nationwide cases from the May 2023 edition of LGBT Law Notes, focusing on the rights of transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people to socially, legally, and medically transition.

May Law Notes 2023: the right to transition

Shain Filcher, Executive Director of the LGBT Bar of NY sits down with Richard Saenz (Senior Attorney and the Criminal Justice and Police Misconduct Strategist at Lambda Legal) to discuss Protected &amp; Served? a community survey of LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV, the need for updates to the criminal legal system both in New York state and nationwide, and the relationship between the criminal legal system and the overall LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. To read the 2022 Protected &amp; Served? report, visit www.protectedandserved.org. 

Shain Filcher, Executive Director of the LGBT Bar of NY sits down with Richard Saenz (Senior Attorney and the Criminal Justice and Police Misconduct Strategist at Lambda Legal) to discuss Protected &amp; Served? a community survey of LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV, the need for updates to the criminal legal system both in New York state and nationwide, and the relationship between the criminal legal system and the overall LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. To read the 2022 Protected &amp; Served? report, visit <a href="http://www.protectedandserved.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.protectedandserved.org.</a>

Can the criminal legal system protect LGBTQ+ people?

Shain Filcher, Executive Director of the LGBT Bar of NY, and Professor Emeritus Art Leonard of New York Law School, discuss nationwide cases from the April 2023 edition of LGBT Law Notes, including attempts to ban drag performances and transgender and intersex students participating in K-12 sports, and a possible upcoming Supreme Court decision on so-called conversion therapy.

Shain Filcher, Executive Director of the LGBT Bar of NY, and Professor Emeritus Art Leonard of New York Law School, discuss nationwide cases from the April 2023 edition of LGBT Law Notes, including attempts to ban drag performances and transgender and intersex students participating in K-12 sports, and a possible upcoming Supreme Court decision on so-called conversion therapy.

April 2023 Law Notes: the fight to include LGBTQ+ in public life continues

Shain Filcher, Executive Director of the LGBT Bar of NY sits down with Jane Fox (Staff Attorney at The Legal Aid Society) and Winston Berkman-Breen (Policy Counsel &amp; Deputy Director of Student Advocacy at the Student Borrower Protection Center) to discuss the latest happenings with federally backed student loans, including the proposed $10k/$20k cancelation program pending before the Supreme Court, reforms to PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness), loan servicer misconduct, and resources to help borrowers. Links discussed in this month's episode:studentaid.gov cancelmystudentdebt.org https://www.edcapny.org/https://studentaid.gov/feedback-ombudsman/disputes/state-ombudsman

Shain Filcher, Executive Director of the LGBT Bar of NY sits down with Jane Fox (Staff Attorney at The Legal Aid Society) and Winston Berkman-Breen (Policy Counsel &amp; Deputy Director of Student Advocacy at the Student Borrower Protection Center) to discuss the latest happenings with federally backed student loans, including the proposed $10k/$20k cancelation program pending before the Supreme Court, reforms to PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness), loan servicer misconduct, and resources to help borrowers.   Links discussed in this month's episode: <a href="http://studentaid.gov/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">studentaid.gov</a> <a href="http://cancelmystudentdebt.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">cancelmystudentdebt.org</a> <a href="https://www.edcapny.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.edcapny.org/</a><a href="https://studentaid.gov/feedback-ombudsman/disputes/state-ombudsman" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://studentaid.gov/feedback-ombudsman/disputes/state-ombudsman</a>

The State of Federal Student Loans

Shain Filcher, Executive Director of the LGBT Bar of NY, and Professor Emeritus Art Leonard of New York Law School, discuss nationwide cases from the March 2023 edition of LGBT Law Notes, including the rights of parents to select books available in public schools, the treatment of hate speech online, and a victory for incarcerated transgender people.

Shain Filcher, Executive Director of the LGBT Bar of NY, and Professor Emeritus Art Leonard of New York Law School, discuss nationwide cases from the March 2023 edition of LGBT Law Notes, including the rights of parents to select books available in public schools, the treatment of hate speech online, and a victory for incarcerated transgender people.

March 2023 Law Notes: Fighting for the First Amendment in School and Online

Professor Emeritus Art Leonard of New York Law School discusses cases from the February 2023 issue of LGBT Law Notes, including: Updates on the Ninth Circuit denying en banc review in a challenge to the Washington State conversion therapy ban A decision from a federal district court in West Virginia upholding a biological sex interpretation of Title IX (with a mention of late breaking news about en banc review of a ruling with similar legal questions in the Second Circuit) The latest chapter in the ongoing saga of Jack Phillips and his Colorado bakery A dispute involving a Catholic hospital owned by the University of Maryland

Professor Emeritus Art Leonard of New York Law School discusses cases from the February 2023 issue of LGBT Law Notes, including: <ul><li>Updates on the Ninth Circuit denying en banc review in a challenge to the Washington State conversion therapy ban</li> <li>A decision from a federal district court in West Virginia upholding a biological sex interpretation of Title IX (with a mention of late breaking news about en banc review of a ruling with similar legal questions in the Second Circuit)</li> <li>The latest chapter in the ongoing saga of Jack Phillips and his Colorado bakery</li> <li>A dispute involving a Catholic hospital owned by the University of Maryland</li></ul>

February 2023 Law Notes: Engaging on En Bancs

Shain Filcher, Executive Director of the LGBT Bar of NY, and Charlie Arrowood, Senior Counsel to the New York State Court System's Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission, discuss important updates in resources available to support NYC/NYS LGBTQ+ attorneys and court users, the Failla Commission's 2023 policy goals, and strategies for LGBTQ+ attorneys in all practice areas to ensure a more equitable court system for LGBTQ+ people. For more information about the Failla Commission, visit http://ww2.nycourts.gov/ip/LGBTQ/index.shtml

Shain Filcher, Executive Director of the LGBT Bar of NY, and Charlie Arrowood, Senior Counsel to the New York State Court System's Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission, discuss important updates in resources available to support NYC/NYS LGBTQ+ attorneys and court users, the Failla Commission's 2023 policy goals, and strategies for LGBTQ+ attorneys in all practice areas to ensure a more equitable court system for LGBTQ+ people. For more information about the Failla Commission, visit <a href="http://ww2.nycourts.gov/ip/LGBTQ/index.shtml" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://ww2.nycourts.gov/ip/LGBTQ/index.shtml</a>

NY Resources for LGBTQ+ Attorneys and Court Users

LGBTQ lawyers, policy experts, and activists discuss the latest legal and political news affecting the LGBTQ+ community here and abroad. Hosted by Shain Filcher, Executive Director of the LGBT Bar of NY, with regularly featured guest Prof. Arthur S. Leonard of New York Law School.

LGBT Bar NY Podcast

The Supreme Court ruled narrowly against the Colorado Civil Rights Commission in Masterpiece Cakeshop, based on concerns that the original case was not decided “with the religious neutrality that the Constitution requires.” In doing so, the Court also reaffirmed the core American principle that businesses open to the public must be open to all. The unfortunate result of this ruling is that cases like this will continue to be litigated in the courts. In the meantime, LGBT people will have to go about their day to day lives fearing they might be refused service because of who we are. It is important to note that the Supreme Court did not change the long-standing rule that businesses open to the public must be open to all. This ruling was limited to facts specific to this case, and the court importantly did not give businesses the broad right to discriminate that the bakery and the Trump administration sought here. Eric Lesh, Executive Director of the LGBT Bar of NY discusses this case with Professor Art Leonard of New York Law School. 

The Supreme Court ruled narrowly against the Colorado Civil Rights Commission in Masterpiece Cakeshop, based on concerns that the original case was not decided “with the religious neutrality that the Constitution requires.” In doing so, the Court also reaffirmed the core American principle that businesses open to the public must be open to all. The unfortunate result of this ruling is that cases like this will continue to be litigated in the courts. In the meantime, LGBT people will have to go about their day to day lives fearing they might be refused service because of who we are. It is important to note that the Supreme Court did not change the long-standing rule that businesses open to the public must be open to all. This ruling was limited to facts specific to this case, and the court importantly did not give businesses the broad right to discriminate that the bakery and the Trump administration sought here. Eric Lesh, Executive Director of the LGBT Bar of NY discusses this case with Professor Art Leonard of New York Law School.

Masterpiece Cakeshop: Not the Win We Hoped for, Not the Loss We Feared

Host, Eric Lesh, talks with Nancy Marcus, co-founder of BiLaw and writer for LegallyBi.     Sept 19-26 is Bisexual Awareness Week, and Septender 23rd is Bi Visibility Day.   On this episode we talk about the nearly five million adults in the U.S. who identify as bisexual. In case you were wondering, bi people actually comprise more than half of the entire LGBT community, yet bi people are often erased from the LGBT movement, our political discourse and even litigation.    So today we are going to talk with THE expext in this area, Nancy Marcus. Nancy is an out bi lawyer and LGBT rights activist. She is a co-founder of BiLaw, the national organization for bi lawyers, law professors, law students, and their allies, and is the author of "Bridging Bisexual Erasure in LGBT-Rights Discourse and Litigation." Nancy is a former colleague of mine at Lambda Legal, and she is also a dear friend.    After our Podcast conversation, Nancy was so inspired by my nudging her that she should be doing even MORE to help bi-inclusion in LGBT-rights advocacy along (because that's what friends do, nudge each other), she asked me to spread the word to any lawyers out there who want help framing strategically effective bi-inclusive arguments (and, possibly, helping with amicus briefing) that she would love to hear from you at LegallyBiNancy@gmail.com.

Host, Eric Lesh, talks with Nancy Marcus, co-founder of BiLaw and writer for LegallyBi.    Sept 19-26 is Bisexual Awareness Week, and Septender 23rd is Bi Visibility Day. On this episode we talk about the nearly five million adults in the U.S. who identify as bisexual. In case you were wondering, bi people actually comprise more than half of the entire LGBT community, yet bi people are often erased from the LGBT movement, our political discourse and even litigation.   So today we are going to talk with THE expext in this area, Nancy Marcus. Nancy is an out bi lawyer and LGBT rights activist. She is a co-founder of BiLaw, the national organization for bi lawyers, law professors, law students, and their allies, and is the author of "Bridging Bisexual Erasure in LGBT-Rights Discourse and Litigation." Nancy is a former colleague of mine at Lambda Legal, and she is also a dear friend.   After our Podcast conversation, Nancy was so inspired by my nudging her that she should be doing even MORE to help bi-inclusion in LGBT-rights advocacy along (because that's what friends do, nudge each other), she asked me to spread the word to any lawyers out there who want help framing strategically effective bi-inclusive arguments (and, possibly, helping with amicus briefing) that she would love to hear from you at LegallyBiNancy@gmail.com.

BiLawrriors: All about the B in lgBt. 

December 1st is World AIDS Day. On this episode of the LeGaL LGBT Podcast, Eric Lesh speaks with Lambda Legal's HIV Project Director Scott Schoettes about the domestic issues of import to people living with HIV. People living with HIV continue to face discrimination in all areas of life. Lambda Legal won the first HIV discrimination lawsuit in the nation, and since then Scott and his team have helped maintain or expand protections across the country for people living with HIV. We discuss law, policy, stigma, criminalization, access to care, the Trump administration and more!

December 1st is World AIDS Day. On this episode of the LeGaL LGBT Podcast, Eric Lesh speaks with Lambda Legal's HIV Project Director <a href="https://www.lambdalegal.org/about-us/staff/scott-schoettes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Scott Schoettes</a> about the domestic issues of import to people living with HIV. People living with HIV continue to face discrimination in all areas of life. Lambda Legal won the first HIV discrimination lawsuit in the nation, and since then Scott and his team have helped maintain or expand protections across the country for people living with HIV. We discuss law, policy, stigma, criminalization, access to care, the Trump administration and more!

Domestic HIV Law and Policy Talk for #WorldAidsDay

On today’s show we are going to be talking about what civil rights advocates can do to invest in judges who are committed to a liberal jurisprudence that will protect a democracy of the people as well as the rights of LGBT people, women and vulnerable minorities. We are going to start by talking with Chris Kang, chief counsel for Demand Justice and former Chief Counsel to President Obama about the Supreme Court and how the fight for progressive constitutional change depends on citizen activism.  Then we will talk with Jon Michaels, a Professor of Law at the UCLA School of Law about his recent piece for Shall Take Care blog: Advancing a Left-Liberal Jurisprudence. Finally, we will speak with the Brennan Center’s Deputy Director of Democracy Programs, Alicia Bannon about how civil rights advocates can take a new look to state courts as an alternative to federal courts for upholding liberty and equality. 

On today’s show we are going to be talking about what civil rights advocates can do to invest in judges who are committed to a liberal jurisprudence that will protect a democracy of the people as well as the rights of LGBT people, women and vulnerable minorities. We are going to start by talking with Chris Kang, chief counsel for Demand Justice and former Chief Counsel to President Obama about the Supreme Court and how the fight for progressive constitutional change depends on citizen activism.  Then we will talk with Jon Michaels, a Professor of Law at the UCLA School of Law about his recent piece for Shall Take Care blog: Advancing a Left-Liberal Jurisprudence. Finally, we will speak with the Brennan Center’s Deputy Director of Democracy Programs, Alicia Bannon about how civil rights advocates can take a new look to state courts as an alternative to federal courts for upholding liberty and equality.

Preparing for a Progressive Takeover of the Courts

It’s the Law Notes edition of the LeGaL LGBT Podcast. On this show LeGaL’s Executive Director Eric Lesh talks with Prof. Art Leonard about the Trump Administration’s decision to ask the Supreme Court to delay deciding whether Title VII bars gender identity discrimination.  Then we will discuss two bigoted baker cases: one that may be coming back to SCOTUS and another that was decided in the UK.  Finally, we talk about Trump’s continued attack on the humanity and safety of trans people and the massive protests that took place in response.

It’s the Law Notes edition of the LeGaL LGBT Podcast. On this show LeGaL’s Executive Director Eric Lesh talks with Prof. Art Leonard about the Trump Administration’s decision to ask the Supreme Court to delay deciding whether Title VII bars gender identity discrimination.  Then we will discuss two bigoted baker cases: one that may be coming back to SCOTUS and another that was decided in the UK.  Finally, we talk about Trump’s continued attack on the humanity and safety of trans people and the massive protests that took place in response.

Trump Continues Attack on Transgender Community

LGBT Law Notes Episode! Host, Eric Lesh, talks with Professor Art Leonard of New York Law School. Art is the chief editor and writer of LGBT Law Notes, the most comprehensive monthly publication covering the latest legal and legislative developments affecting the LGBT community here and abroad. Topics include: Supreme Court Faces Petitions for Review of Rulings on LGBT-Related Issues as October Term 2018 Nears; Repeated Victories for Transgender Student Bathroom Access During Summer 2018; and  7th Circuit Ruling Creates Federal Precedent to Protect Older Gays in Residential Facilities.  Send Marsha a note of support.  Update: ADF sent a letter to the Court Clerk, suggesting postponing the consideration of Zarda and Bostock petitions until the Oct. 26 conference.

LGBT Law Notes Episode! Host, Eric Lesh, talks with Professor Art Leonard of New York Law School. Art is the chief editor and writer of LGBT Law Notes, the most comprehensive monthly publication covering the latest legal and legislative developments affecting the LGBT community here and abroad. Topics include: <ul><li>Supreme Court Faces Petitions for Review of Rulings on LGBT-Related Issues as October Term 2018 Nears;</li> <li>Repeated Victories for Transgender Student Bathroom Access During Summer 2018; and </li> <li>7th Circuit Ruling Creates Federal Precedent to Protect Older Gays in Residential Facilities.</li> </ul> Send Marsha a <a href="https://www.lambdalegal.org/send-marsha-a-note" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">note of support</a>. Update: ADF sent a letter to the Court Clerk, suggesting postponing the consideration of Zarda and Bostock petitions until the Oct. 26 conference.

The Looming October SCOTUS Term

We call this installment of the LGBT Law Notes edition of the LeGaL LGBT Podcast: “Sodomy Law Goes Down.” That’s because on September 6, 2018, the Supreme Court of India ruled that the Constitution protects an individual’s sexual orientation. We will begin by chatting about this case with Professor Art Leonard of New York Law School. Art is the chief editor and writer of LGBT Law Notes, the most comprehensive monthly publication covering the latest legal and legislative developments affecting the LGBT community here and abroad. Then we speak with Art about a federal district court that ruled that the U.S. State Department exceeded its authority under the Passport Act of 1926 when it denied a passport to a U.S. Navy veteran who is intersex and non-binary, and does not identify as male or female. Lastly, we will chat about the federal court in Wisconsin that ordered the state to cover transition medical costs for transgender state employees.

We call this installment of the LGBT Law Notes edition of the LeGaL LGBT Podcast: “Sodomy Law Goes Down.” That’s because on September 6, 2018, the Supreme Court of India ruled that the Constitution protects an individual’s sexual orientation. We will begin by chatting about this case with Professor Art Leonard of New York Law School. Art is the chief editor and writer of LGBT Law Notes, the most comprehensive monthly publication covering the latest legal and legislative developments affecting the LGBT community here and abroad. Then we speak with Art about a federal district court that ruled that the U.S. State Department exceeded its authority under the Passport Act of 1926 when it denied a passport to a U.S. Navy veteran who is intersex and non-binary, and does not identify as male or female. Lastly, we will chat about the federal court in Wisconsin that ordered the state to cover transition medical costs for transgender state employees.

Boom! Sodomy Law Goes Down 

This is a dangerous time for LGBTQ people, and children across the country are paying the price. On this installment, we are going to be talking with Christina Wilson Remlin, lead counsel at Children’s Rights about anti-LGBTQ legislation that targets queer youth in out of home care by attempting to give service providers a license to discriminate against foster parents and others who don’t meet a religious litmus test. These policies place the agencies ‘beliefs above the needs and best interests of children in care. They also discriminate against parents who are trying to provide a loving home.  We also talk with LeGaL's Legal Director Brett Figlewski about our LGBTQ Youth Clinic and the free legal services we provide. Links: Every Child Deserves A Family: Aderholt Safe Havens Volunteer LeGaL Give to LeGaL Join LeGaL's Pro Bono Panel and Lawyer Referral Network

This is a dangerous time for LGBTQ people, and children across the country are paying the price. On this installment, we are going to be talking with Christina Wilson Remlin, lead counsel at Children’s Rights about anti-LGBTQ legislation that targets queer youth in out of home care by attempting to give service providers a license to discriminate against foster parents and others who don’t meet a religious litmus test. These policies place the agencies ‘beliefs above the needs and best interests of children in care. They also discriminate against parents who are trying to provide a loving home.  We also talk with LeGaL's Legal Director Brett Figlewski about our LGBTQ Youth Clinic and the free legal services we provide. Links: <a href="https://everychilddeservesafamily.com/noadoptiondiscrimination/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Every Child Deserves A Family: Aderholt</a> <a href="https://www.lambdalegal.org/publications/safe-havens" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Safe Havens</a> <a href="https://www.le-galhp.com/get-involved" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Volunteer LeGaL</a> <a href="https://lgbtbarny.org/donate-to-legal/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Give to LeGaL</a> <a href="https://www.le-galhp.com/lrn-pbp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Join LeGaL's Pro Bono Panel and Lawyer Referral Network</a>

A Religious Litmus Test for Serving LGBTQ Youth at Risk?

Welcome to the Law Notes episode of the LeGaL LGBT Podcast. I’m Eric Lesh, Executive Director of LeGaL, the LGBT Bar of NY. On today’s show we are going to be talking about the latest Supreme Court developments. We discuss the attempt by the administration to let the transgender military ban go into effect, and a new sexual orientation  discrimination case under Title IX. Next we will talk about the ruling from a reliably rightwing activist judge from Texas who held that Obamacare was unconstitutional, placing health insurance for thousands of LGBT people at risk. Finally, we will discuss a case brought by a student against his high school for intentional infliction of emotional distress for anti-gay animus and subjecting him to conversion therapy.   With us is Professor Art Leonard, chief editor of LeGaL’s LGBT Law Notes, the most comprehensive monthly publication covering the latest LGBT legal developments here and abroad.  

Welcome to the Law Notes episode of the LeGaL LGBT Podcast. I’m Eric Lesh, Executive Director of LeGaL, the LGBT Bar of NY. On today’s show we are going to be talking about the latest Supreme Court developments. We discuss the attempt by the administration to let the transgender military ban go into effect, and a new sexual orientation  discrimination case under Title IX. Next we will talk about the ruling from a reliably rightwing activist judge from Texas who held that Obamacare was unconstitutional, placing health insurance for thousands of LGBT people at risk. Finally, we will discuss a case brought by a student against his high school for intentional infliction of emotional distress for anti-gay animus and subjecting him to conversion therapy.   With us is Professor Art Leonard, chief editor of LeGaL’s LGBT Law Notes, the most comprehensive monthly publication covering the latest LGBT legal developments here and abroad.

The Battle to Block the Ban

On July 9, Donald Trump announced that he was nominating Brett Kavanaugh, Judge of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, to fill Justice Kennedy’s seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. Judge Kavanaugh’s views pose a real threat to our nation’s core principles of equality and freedom for all. LeGaL, the LGBT Bar of New York assembled a rockstar panel for this podcast to discuss Trump's SCOTUS pick and what's at stake for civil rights.  Panelists:   Shannon Minter , Legal Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights Leslie Proll , Civil Rights lawyer, advising NAACP on judicial nominations Keith Thirion , Director of Outreach, Alliance for Justice Eric Lesh , Executive Director of LeGaL, LGBT Bar of NY Sanaa Abrar, Advocacy Director, United We Dream Matry Rouse, National Field Director, HRC

On July 9, Donald Trump announced that he was nominating Brett Kavanaugh, Judge of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, to fill Justice Kennedy’s seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. Judge Kavanaugh’s views pose a real threat to our nation’s core principles of equality and freedom for all. LeGaL, the LGBT Bar of New York assembled a rockstar panel for this podcast to discuss Trump's SCOTUS pick and what's at stake for civil rights. Panelists:   Shannon Minter , Legal Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights Leslie Proll , Civil Rights lawyer, advising NAACP on judicial nominations Keith Thirion , Director of Outreach, Alliance for Justice Eric Lesh , Executive Director of LeGaL, LGBT Bar of NY Sanaa Abrar, Advocacy Director, United We Dream Matry Rouse, National Field Director, HRC

Trump's SCOTUS Pick and What's at Stake for Civil Rights

We will not be discussing cake in this podcast. If you want our take on Masterpiece, please have a listen to the special episode we recorded 24 hours after the ruling came down—oh and share it with your friends. Make sure they know that the Supreme Court did not give every homophobe across the country a license to discriminate. We call this episode. “LGBT eyes still on SCOTUS” That’s because the Supreme Court has received two new petitions asking it to address whether Title VII bars discriminationbecause of sexual orientation, a request from a man who may have been sentenced to death because he was gay, and the possible sequel to Masterpiece Cakeshop in Arlene’s Flowers, and a request from a transgender asylum recipient whose attempt to get a legalname change is being blocked by an Indiana law. We will begin by chatting about these cases with Professor Art Leonard of New York Law School. Art is the chief editor and writer of LGBT Law Notes, the most comprehensive monthly publication covering the latest legal and legislative developments affecting the LGBT community here and abroad.Then, we will chat with Art about 2 new rulings involving access to restrooms for transgender students—including more in the Gavin Grimm case. Finally, Art will let me go on about an area of interest for me, namely 2 rulings in different states on the discriminatory exercise of peremptory strikes to eliminate gay jurors.

We will not be discussing cake in this podcast. If you want our take on Masterpiece, please have a listen to the special episode we recorded 24 hours after the ruling came down—oh and share it with your friends. Make sure they know that the Supreme Court did not give every homophobe across the country a license to discriminate. We call this episode. “LGBT eyes still on SCOTUS” That’s because the Supreme Court has received two new petitions asking it to address whether Title VII bars discriminationbecause of sexual orientation, a request from a man who may have been sentenced to death because he was gay, and the possible sequel to Masterpiece Cakeshop in Arlene’s Flowers, and a request from a transgender asylum recipient whose attempt to get a legalname change is being blocked by an Indiana law. We will begin by chatting about these cases with Professor Art Leonard of New York Law School. Art is the chief editor and writer of LGBT Law Notes, the most comprehensive monthly publication covering the latest legal and legislative developments affecting the LGBT community here and abroad.Then, we will chat with Art about 2 new rulings involving access to restrooms for transgender students—including more in the Gavin Grimm case. Finally, Art will let me go on about an area of interest for me, namely 2 rulings in different states on the discriminatory exercise of peremptory strikes to eliminate gay jurors.

All LGBT Eyes Still on SCOTUS

On this episode of the LeGaL LGBT Podcast, we discuss Justice Kennedy's retirement, his LGBT rights legacy, and what's at stake for the future of civil rights claims. We are joined by Professor Art Leonard of NY Law School. Art literlally knows everything about LGBT litigation, so you are not going to want to miss this.

On this episode of the LeGaL LGBT Podcast, we discuss Justice Kennedy's retirement, his LGBT rights legacy, and what's at stake for the future of civil rights claims. We are joined by Professor Art Leonard of NY Law School. Art literlally knows everything about LGBT litigation, so you are not going to want to miss this.

Kennedy steps down: It's all on the line!

It is long past time for our New York state legislators to take action on the the issues that impact LGBTQ New Yorkers and our families. New York should be a place that protects the liberty and equality of all individuals, particularly those whose existence and expression has been oppressed. On this episode, we speak with some experts about several important legislative priorities for LeGaL.  First, LeGaL Executive Director, Eric Lesh speaks with our Board Member Kristen Browde about the urgent need to pass GENDA to protect the civil rights of transgender people in New York. Next, we talk with Sam Brinton, Head of Advocacy and Government Affairs at The Trevor Project, about the effort to ban conversion therapy.  Finally, our executive director discusses the need to ban so-called “gay and trans panic defenses” in New York.  Listen to the podcast. Then stand with us to take action. 

It is long past time for our New York state legislators to take action on the the issues that impact LGBTQ New Yorkers and our families. New York should be a place that protects the liberty and equality of all individuals, particularly those whose existence and expression has been oppressed. On this episode, we speak with some experts about several important legislative priorities for LeGaL.  First, LeGaL Executive Director, Eric Lesh speaks with our Board Member Kristen Browde about the urgent need to pass GENDA to protect the civil rights of transgender people in New York. Next, we talk with Sam Brinton, Head of Advocacy and Government Affairs at The Trevor Project, about the effort to ban conversion therapy.  Finally, our executive director discusses the need to ban so-called “gay and trans panic defenses” in New York.  Listen to the podcast. Then stand with us to take action.

An LGBTQ Legislative Agenda for a New New York!

On today’s show we are going to be talking about the Trump Administration’s desperate attempt to implement its hateful transgender military ban by jumping the line straight to the Supreme Court. Next, we will talk about another cert petition. This time it’s ADF’s challenge to a PA School District’s policy allowing transgender students to use restroom and locker room facilities consistent with their gender identity. Finally, we will discuss a state court ruling that chips away at the holding in Obergefell and their own state constitutional law by denying a lesbian mother’s co-parenting and visitation access to her child. With us is NYLS Prof Art Leonard chief editor of LeGaL’s LGBT Law Notes the most comprehensive monthly publication covering the latest LGBT legal developments here and abroad.  

On today’s show we are going to be talking about the Trump Administration’s desperate attempt to implement its hateful transgender military ban by jumping the line straight to the Supreme Court. Next, we will talk about another cert petition. This time it’s ADF’s challenge to a PA School District’s policy allowing transgender students to use restroom and locker room facilities consistent with their gender identity. Finally, we will discuss a state court ruling that chips away at the holding in Obergefell and their own state constitutional law by denying a lesbian mother’s co-parenting and visitation access to her child. With us is NYLS Prof Art Leonard chief editor of LeGaL’s LGBT Law Notes the most comprehensive monthly publication covering the latest LGBT legal developments here and abroad.

Trump's Trans Military Ban to SCOTUS?

On July 31st, the LGBT Bar Association of New York, LeGaL, joined Lambda Legal and 60 other LGBTQ organizations in submitting a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee to oppose the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court. Before entering this week’s confirmation hearings, Judge Kavanaugh’s record showed no indication that would decide cases involving discrimination against LGBTQ people fairly, nor that he will uphold our constitutional right to equal dignity. Unfortunately, nothing during the confirmation hearing did anything to alleviate our serious concerns. LeGaL's Executive Director, Eric Lesh, sits down with Lambda Legal's Senior Attorney, Omar Gonzalez-Pagan to discuss what we learned, what's at stake and why we must stop Kavanaugh.

On July 31st, the LGBT Bar Association of New York, LeGaL, joined Lambda Legal and 60 other LGBTQ organizations in submitting a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee to oppose the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court. Before entering this week’s confirmation hearings, Judge Kavanaugh’s record showed no indication that would decide cases involving discrimination against LGBTQ people fairly, nor that he will uphold our constitutional right to equal dignity. Unfortunately, nothing during the confirmation hearing did anything to alleviate our serious concerns. LeGaL's Executive Director, Eric Lesh, sits down with Lambda Legal's Senior Attorney, Omar Gonzalez-Pagan to discuss what we learned, what's at stake and why we must stop Kavanaugh.

Stop Kavanaugh: What We Learned From The Hearing

We call this episode. “You Better Clerk” That’s because as many folks are heading into, or back to law school, they may be wondering if a judicial clerkship is in their future.   Besides looking good on a resume, a judicial clerkship can be a transformative learning experience. It can also be a permanent career. On this episode I am going to speak with a law student who spent the summer clerking for 8 different openly gay and lesbian judges at all levels of the judiciary in New York. I’ll also speak with someone who made clerking a career… or at least on her path towards being a judge one day herself. Finally I will also speak with a recent law graduate who is now in Big Law after speding 2 years clerking for the first openly gay judge on New York’s highest court

We call this episode. “You Better Clerk” That’s because as many folks are heading into, or back to law school, they may be wondering if a judicial clerkship is in their future.   Besides looking good on a resume, a judicial clerkship can be a transformative learning experience. It can also be a permanent career. On this episode I am going to speak with a law student who spent the summer clerking for 8 different openly gay and lesbian judges at all levels of the judiciary in New York. I’ll also speak with someone who made clerking a career… or at least on her path towards being a judge one day herself. Finally I will also speak with a recent law graduate who is now in Big Law after speding 2 years clerking for the first openly gay judge on New York’s highest court

You Better Clerk: Is a Judicial Clerkship Right for You?

We call this episode, “What’s Cake Got To Do With It?”. This is because we will discuss the recent Supreme Court ruling upholding Trump’s travel ban and its relation to Masterpiece Cake Shop, Arlene’s Flowers, and the restaurant, Red Hen’s refusal to serve White House Press Secretary, Sarah Sanders. For many of us, the travel ban decision left us feeling heartbroken and helpless. The decision reminds us of Korematsu, the SCOTUS decision upholding Japanese-American imprisonment. It does not uphold this country’s most basic principles of freedom and equality.  In a powerful dissent, Justice Sotomayor points out the disconnect between the majority’s ruling in this Hawaii v Trump, “where the majority completely sets aside the President’s charged state­ments about Muslims as irrelevant,” and the holding in Masterpiece Cakeshop, “where the majority consid­ered the state commissioners’ statements about religion to be persuasive evidence of unconstitutional government action.”  Today, LeGaL was joined on our LGBT Podcast by Lambda Legal’s Omar Gonzalez-Pagan. Together, we discuss the decision in the travel ban case, as well as the Court’s decision yesterday in Arlene’s Flowers, a case involving a same-sex couple that was refused service by a flower shop because they were gay.

We call this episode, “What’s Cake Got To Do With It?”. This is because we will discuss the recent Supreme Court ruling upholding Trump’s travel ban and its relation to Masterpiece Cake Shop, Arlene’s Flowers, and the restaurant, Red Hen’s refusal to serve White House Press Secretary, Sarah Sanders. For many of us, the travel ban decision left us feeling heartbroken and helpless. The decision reminds us of Korematsu, the SCOTUS decision upholding Japanese-American imprisonment. It does not uphold this country’s most basic principles of freedom and equality.  In a powerful dissent, Justice Sotomayor points out the disconnect between the majority’s ruling in this Hawaii v Trump, “where the majority completely sets aside the President’s charged state­ments about Muslims as irrelevant,” and the holding in Masterpiece Cakeshop, “where the majority consid­ered the state commissioners’ statements about religion to be persuasive evidence of unconstitutional government action.”  Today, LeGaL was joined on our LGBT Podcast by Lambda Legal’s Omar Gonzalez-Pagan. Together, we discuss the decision in the travel ban case, as well as the Court’s decision yesterday in Arlene’s Flowers, a case involving a same-sex couple that was refused service by a flower shop because they were gay.

What's cake got to do with it? 

We call this episode “Stacking the Courts: The Fight Against Trump’s Extremist Judicial Nominees.” That’s because in nomination after nomination, Trump’s picks for federal courts are hostile to civil rights in general and specifically hostile to LGBT rights. As the Senate tries to rubberstamp and rush these nominees through by confirming them at an alarming pace, Lambda Legal has spearheaded a broad effort elevate the importance of this issue. Lambda is working overtime to expose the records and inform both senators and the public of the dangers Trump’s nominees pose to our rights, to the rule of law, and to the nation itself. We are speaking with Sasha Buchert, a staff attorney at Lamdda Legal who has been leading their amazing work in this area.

We call this episode “Stacking the Courts: The Fight Against Trump’s Extremist Judicial Nominees.” That’s because in nomination after nomination, Trump’s picks for federal courts are hostile to civil rights in general and specifically hostile to LGBT rights. As the Senate tries to rubberstamp and rush these nominees through by confirming them at an alarming pace, Lambda Legal has spearheaded a broad effort elevate the importance of this issue. Lambda is working overtime to expose the records and inform both senators and the public of the dangers Trump’s nominees pose to our rights, to the rule of law, and to the nation itself. We are speaking with Sasha Buchert, a staff attorney at Lamdda Legal who has been leading their amazing work in this area.

Stacking the Courts: The Fight Against Trump's Federal Judicial Nominees

Thursday, May 17th is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. It was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBT people internationally. May 17 is now celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 where homosexuality is criminalized. We have been trying to highlight how Trump’s immigration policies and rhetoric are dangerous and deadly for LGBTQ people. I am thrilled to be joined by our special guest, Adam Eli. Adam is a community organizer and the founder of Voices4, a non-violent direct action activist group committed to advancing global queer liberation. We also have Azis Toktobaev, a 20 year old, from Kyrgyzstan who is an intern for Voices4. We will be talking about the treatment of queer people in Russia, the realities that Russian refugees face in the US, their activism, and what our lawyer and activist listeners can do to effectuate change. 

Thursday, May 17th is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. It was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBT people internationally. May 17 is now celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 where homosexuality is criminalized. We have been trying to highlight how Trump’s immigration policies and rhetoric are dangerous and deadly for LGBTQ people. I am thrilled to be joined by our special guest, <a href="http://instagram.com/adameli" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Adam Eli</a>. Adam is a community organizer and the founder of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/voices4_/?hl=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Voices4</a>, a non-violent direct action activist group committed to advancing global queer liberation. We also have Azis Toktobaev, a 20 year old, from Kyrgyzstan who is an intern for Voices4. We will be talking about the treatment of queer people in Russia, the realities that Russian refugees face in the US, their activism, and what our lawyer and activist listeners can do to effectuate change.

IDAHOTB! “Queer people anywhere are responsible for queer people everywhere.”

On this LGBT Law Notes episode LeGaL Executive Director Eric Lesh and New York Law School Professor Art Leonard discuss a rare bit of good news from the Supreme Court in transgender rights case. Next they chat about a religiously affiliated children’s agency’s failed attempt to turn away same-sex couples seeking to adopt. Then they chat about a series of cases that deal with same-sex spouses and their equal access to benefits. 

On this LGBT Law Notes episode LeGaL Executive Director Eric Lesh and New York Law School Professor Art Leonard discuss a rare bit of good news from the Supreme Court in transgender rights case. Next they chat about a religiously affiliated children’s agency’s failed attempt to turn away same-sex couples seeking to adopt. Then they chat about a series of cases that deal with same-sex spouses and their equal access to benefits.

The All Good News LGBT Pride Pod

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