Allies and Advocates for LGBTQ Equality

01/24/2018

A year into President Trump's administration, and the report card is terrible.

“People debate, ‘Does he personally like or dislike LGBT people?’ That’s irrelevant,” Esseks argued. “He has put in place people who have firmly anti-LGBT agendas, and he’s not just enabled but endorsed those agendas himself. He’s been a train wreck for LGBT people nationwide.”

From Trump’s ban on transgender military service to his failure to acknowledge Pride Month, his administration now has a long anti-LGBTQ record.

01/18/2018

I hope everyone is having a great 2018 so far! Please mark Valentines Day lunch on your calendar as we are excited to be hosting our first event then. Nebraska ACLU Legal Director Amy Miller is going to talk to us about legislation and public policy effecting the LGBTQ community. We will set up the event soon so everyone can RSVP. Thanks for your support!

01/17/2018

Some interesting and up-to-date info that was shared with us from the National Association for Law Placement (NLAP) on LGBT representation among lawyers.

01/11/2018

Kathleen Kersh, an attorney with Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. has sent us information about a summer opportunity in western Ohio. This is open to 1Ls and 2Ls and would take place this summer (May - August 2018).

Regarding Spanish proficiency: "Spanish language is recommended for people interested in the immigration practice group, but not for other areas."

I'll post the flyer she sent me as an image to this post.

01/11/2018

Well this just happened! Whoot! Note the unique way this occurred: an international court which the member states have consented to be bound by has made the decision. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights is part of the Organization of American States (OAS). This court is roughly analogous to the European Court of Human Rights.

Oh ... and remember Australia's vote we posted below? The law has just recently taken effect and couples are getting married now!

Hope all around the globe friends!

Costa Rica has already said it will comply with the ruling.

11/15/2017

Our friends down under are making a historic vote by mail regarding marriage equality. Enjoy some positive news this week.

Live: Same-sex marriage result

10/08/2017

Kendra and I made it to Fall for Pride 2017. It's great to live in such a supportive community. Remember to support your friends and family this National Coming Out Day, Wednesday, October 11.

09/21/2017

Bigotry is alive and well here in Nebraska.

This is why we need LGBT non-discrimination laws in Nebraska. This just happened to several of my neighbors homes a few blocks away from my house. Many oppose my LGBT workplace anti discrimination legislation because "we don't have an LGBT discrimination problem in Nebraska." For those that still believe that, I invite you to stop by my home and neighborhood. If it can happen in an LGBT friendly legislative district and neighborhood like mine, it can happen anywhere, including in the workplace.

09/19/2017

Today, the Federalist Society is hosting Professor Rick Duncan's presentation "Let Them Bake Cake: SCOTUS Preview and Review of the Masterpiece Cakeshop and Trinity Lutheran Church Cases."

Location: Room 113.
Time: Today, at noon.

Again, this is not our event but the subject matter is of interest and importance to this group's mission. Good opportunity for questions and debate.

09/13/2017

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/woman-helped-end-federal-gay-marriage-ban-dies-49801389

A professor my 1L year reminded us law students that while the names in a case caption are just names to us ... each case we study represents a real story involving real people.

Edith Windsor's case at the Supreme Court led to the 2013 ruling that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was unconstitutional. This helped pave the way for the Obergefell decision two years later that gave same-sex couples across the nation the same rights as their straight neighbors.

Rest in power Edith and thank you for helping make the world a better place by living your truth.

Edith Windsor, a gay rights pioneer whose landmark Supreme Court case struck down parts of a federal anti-gay-marriage law and paved a path toward legalizing same-sex nuptials nationwide, died Tuesday. She was 88. Windsor died in New York, said her lawyer, Roberta Kaplan. The cause of death...

09/12/2017

STIR talk in 15 minutes on the Masterpiece Cakeshop case that will be heard this term of the Supreme Court. This speech is given by Professor Rick Duncan, who will argue on the side that a baker has the right to refuse to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple.

Refreshments will be provided. This isn't one of our events, but the subject matter obviously concerns the interest of group members.

Law school student lounge at 4:30 pm!

09/05/2017

Good news! At the Student Organization "Pitch Fest" today we got a handful of 1st year law students come up and approach us about joining and leading Allies & Advocates! This may be a good year for us and we'll have new energy and ideas from new leaders. Watch this space!