Recent Events

Lav Law - September 2007

Between September 5 and September 9, 2007, six members of RWUSOL’s Alliance traveled to Chicago to participate in Lavender Law, the annual conference of the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association.  Since its inception in 1988, Lavender Law has grown steadily as the premier national professional event for LGBT and allied lawyers, judges and other legal professionals, students, activists, and affiliated LGBT organizations. 

Law students are valued participants in Lavender Law, and the conference included substantial programming to target students’ intellectual, professional, and social interests.  During the opening panel presentation, legal recruiters discussed being “out” in the profession and addressed job search strategies for law students.  As a complementary service, career counselors conducted individual appointments with students who wanted advice on resumes, cover letters, and interviewing across all sectors of legal employment.  Then, the first full day of the conference was devoted to a career fair at which over 500 candidates connected with over 150 recruiters from all over the country, all of whom represented LGBT-friendly employers whose commitment to diversity is formalized by a non-discrimination policy inclusive of sexual orientation and, in most cases, gender identity and expression.

The conference addressed a broad variety of content areas, and RWUSOL students attended presentations on provocative and timely topics such as:

• “From FAIR (v. Rumsfeld) to Equal: The Top Five Things Law Students Can Do to Address the Discrimination Inherent in the Solomon Amendment,”
• “LGBT-Based Asylum: Recent Developments in the Law and a Mock Interview,”
• “Examining ‘Backlash’ and Attacks on Landmark Decisions From Goodridge, Brown, and Roe,”
• “Speaking OUT Against Domestic Violence,”
• “LGBT Pro Bono in Private Practice,”
• “What a Difference a Movement Makes: Recent Advances in Transgender Rights,”
• “LGBT Employment Rights: New Perspectives and Creative Strategies,” and
• “A Diverse Judiciary: The Path to Becoming a Judge.”

Throughout the conference there were many opportunities for RWUSOL students to socialize and network with other law students and legal professionals from across the nation.  We made many connections over casual coffee breaks and lunch hours, and enjoyed spending time with our new friends and colleagues during more formal events like the People of Color Welcome Reception and the “Not For Women Only” harbor cruise around along the shore of Lake Michigan.  When the official programming was over, there was much more of Chicago to be explored: the city’s wonderful restaurants, music, and nightlife; its famous museums; and the vibrant Navy Pier.

Lavender Law was an enjoyable, productive professional experience that was valued by all who attended.  Next year’s participants can look forward to an extra-special event as Lavender Law returns to its roots in San Francisco to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the conference.  We’ll look forward to seeing you there!

Cocktails With the Mayor- September 17

Nine members of the Alliance joined Mayor David Cicciline of Providence for wine and cheese at his office on September 17, 2007.  Mayor Cicciline has a national reputation both for his accomplishments in Providence and as the “openly gay” mayor of the largest city in Rhode Island.  The Mayor, recently noted as one of the “Best Dressed Mayors” by GQ magazine was a very gracious host in his beautifully appointed office overlooking downtown Providence.  Everybody enjoyed the evening and conversation ranged widely to cover topics ranging from the beautiful architecture of city hall through local, state and even presidential politics.  The frank and engaging responses of the Mayor kept the evening engaging. 

The evening was the idea of Laura Corbin and was coordinated by Phil Robinson and his partner Brad Weaver.  The event was purchased at the fund raising auction to benefit public interest scholarships through the Feinstein institute last spring.  The Mayor had contributed his time and office to this worthy cause and Alliance members contributed their cash for the privilege of an evening with the Mayor.  It was a great event helping a great cause.