Category: Prima Facie
“Wedlocked:” Using Mediation for Same-Sex Divorce
By Hon. Cynthia D. Wright, Senior Judge Hon. Cynthia D. Wright, Senior Judge, is a case manager at JAMS. Judge Wright served for two decades on the bench in Fulton County Superior and State courts, including two successful terms as chief judge. Judge Wright heard thousands of civil cases involving civil rights, education, employment, business, […]
Nevada Just Banned Gay and Trans ‘Panic’ Defenses – Which state will be next?
This month, Nevada became the fourth state to ban gay and trans ‘panic’ defenses in the United States. That is a significant victory in the ongoing fight for full LGBTQ+ legal equality – and yet many Americans still do not know what a gay or trans ‘panic’ defense is, much less how effective, pervasive, and […]
How can legal professionals support transgender prisoners? Whit Washington has an answer.
According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, trans Americans are more than twice as likely to be incarcerated than their cisgender peers due in large part to harassment, profiling, and abuse by law enforcement professionals. Incarcerated transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals face unique challenges within the prison system, from a lack of gender-affirming […]
Seeking Transformative Societal Change
How Bisexuality Helps Secure Sex Discrimination Protections
You may have heard the phrase, “if you’re queer, you can get married one day and fired from your job the next.” It’s a catchy talking point, but it’s actually not true. It is not the case that, in the United States, LGBT people can legally get married one day and fired the next. Why not? Not just because many […]
What Polyamorous & Multi-Parent Families Should Do to Protect their Rights
We hope you enjoy this latest installment of the LGBT Family Law Institute’s Blog. This piece is written by Diana Adams (pictured above). In early 2019, Diana Adams will be launching a new legal nonprofit to serve polyamorous families, multi-parent families, LGBTQ families, and other families of choice. To receive a notice about the launch of this project […]
An Interview with Judge Mike Jacobs – The Nation’s First Openly Bisexual Judge
Please enjoy this interview with the United States’ first openly bisexual judge – LGBT Bar member Judge Mike Jacobs. This interview with Judge Jacobs was conducted, compiled, and edited by Nancy Marcus. Tell me a little about yourself. “I am a judge on the State Court of DeKalb County, a trial court of original jurisdiction […]
Navigating the Gestational Surrogacy Process: Lessons learned as an attorney and surrogacy program owner
We hope you enjoy this latest installment of the LGBT Family Law Institute’s Blog. This piece is written by Meryl B. Rosenberg, Esq., is an attorney in a private practice that specializes in assisted reproductive law and second- and step-parent adoption in the Maryland and DC area. She is also the director of a surrogacy program, ARTparenting […]
What can you do with a law degree? Jamey Mentzer has some answers that might surprise you.
Jamey Mentzer, a member of the LGBT Bar, has served the LGBTQ+ community at University of Pittsburgh of School Law for many years, providing advice and support as a staff advisor to OUTLaw, a founding member of Pitt Queer Professionals, and an active member of the Allegheny County Bar Association’s LGBTQ Rights Committee. He was […]
But, I’m on the Birth Certificate!
But, I’m on the Birth Certificate! Why a Birth Certificate Alone Is Not Sufficient Protection for Your Legal Parentage Rights We hope you enjoy this latest installment of the LGBT Family Law Institute’s Blog. This piece is written by Amira Hasenbush, an attorney and member of the LGBT Family Law Institute. A common misconception among LGBT parents […]