• Skip to main content
DONATE
DONATE
MENU
The L.G.B.T.Q. + Bar

  • Lavender Law

    Annual Conference


  • Membership

    Join Us!


  • DEI

    Consulting Practice


  • Education

    Series

    • About
    • About Us
    • Need a Lawyer?
    • Leadership
    • Volunteer
    • Careers & Internships
    • Organization Financials
    • Contact Us
    • Programs
    • Advocacy
    • Allies
    • Awards
    • Bar Affiliates
    • Get Out the Vote
    • Job Board
    • Judicial Nuts & Bolts Academy
    • DEI Consulting Practice
    • Law Schools
    • Educational Series
    • Law Students
    • Member Practice Area Groups
    • Mental Health Resources
    • Racial Justice Resource Library
    • Events & Sponsorship
    • Annual
    • Upcoming Events
    • Out & Proud Corporate Counsel Receptions
    • Event Photos
    • Virtual Career Fair and Diversity Program for Small & Mid-Size Firms
    • Donate
    • Donate Now
    • Justice Council
    • Ways to Give
    • Lavender Law
    • Success Story Blog
    • Become a Sponsor
    • Membership
    • Become a Member
    • Renew Membership
    • Member Log In
    • Member Spotlight Blog
  • Programs

    Connect, Share Knowledge, and Succeed Within the LGBTQ+ and Ally Legal Community.

    • Advocacy
      • LGBTQ+ “Panic” Defense
      • LGBTQ+ “Panic” Defense Legislation Map
      • Safe Schools Brief Bank
      • The Blood Ban Blogs
      • Jury Access
      • Jury Access Legislative Map
      • The History of Jury Access and the LGBTQ+ Bar’s Advocacy
      • ABA Resolutions
      • Legal Advocacy – Amici Briefs and Public Comments
    • Allies
    • Awards
      • Dan Bradley Award
      • Allies for Justice Awards
      • Out & Proud Corporate Counsel Award
      • 40 Best LGBTQ+ Lawyers Under 40
      • Frank Kameny Award
      • Student Leadership Award
      • Leading Family Law Practitioner Award
      • Legal Services Justice Award
      • National LGBTQ+ Bar Law School Scholarship
      • Michael Greenberg Writing Competition
      • Trans/Nonbinary Law Graduates of Color Grant Fund
    • Bar Affiliates
    • Get Out the Vote
    • Job Board
    • Judicial Nuts & Bolts Academy
    • DEI Consulting Practice
      • Program Presenter
      • Law Schools
      • Law Firms
      • Companies
      • Blog
      • Testimonials
      • DEI Consulting Assessment
      • DEI Consulting Newsletter
      • Share Your Story
    • Law Schools
    • Educational Series
    • Law Students
      • Prospective Law Students
      • Law School Affiliate Program
      • Law Student Congress
      • Law School Scholarships for LGBTQ+ and Ally Law Students
      • LEAD Academy
      • Student Leadership Award
      • Anti-LGBTQ+ Speakers on University and Law School Campuses
    • Member Practice Area Groups
      • Corporate Counsel Division
      • IP Group
      • Prosecutors’ Group
      • Family Law Institute
      • Family Law Attorney Directory
    • Mental Health Resources
    • Racial Justice Resource Library
    Programs DEI Consulting Practice Blog

    Blog

    Voted Best Place to Work

    Calling Upon the Best Places to Work

    Q: I’m an openly LGBTQ+ attorney of color who works at a law firm well-known for its great track record in diversity and inclusion. How do you suggest sharing constructive feedback when my workplace considers itself a champion of LGBTQ+ inclusion? A: When you work at a law firm that prides itself on LGBTQ+ inclusion [...]

    Read more
    Soliciting Feedback and Meeting People Where They Are

    Soliciting Feedback and Meeting People Where They Are

    In my experience as an attorney and LGBTQ+ advocate, I have seen firsthand that the external perception of a law firm can sometimes differ from what is felt internally by its employees. Prior to the start of any consulting work with a law firm client, I recommend offering a survey to as many attorneys and […]

    Read more
    Support

    Supporting Trans Employees

    Q: Is your Gender-Inclusive Workplace Policy up-to-date? A: Over the past decade, it has been heartening to see the increasing number of workplaces that have adopted policies to support people undergoing gender transition in the workplace. Historically labeled, “Transition Guidelines” or “Transgender Policies,” these “Gender-Inclusive Workplace Policies” are widely adopted by legal employers to support […]

    Read more
    Barriers to Success: The Importance of Equitable Access for Low-Income Legal Professionals

    Barriers to Success: The Importance of Equitable Access for Low-Income Legal Professionals

    Q: How does the LGBTQ+ Bar ensure that everyone has access to Lavender Law® Conference & Career Fair? A: Since its inception in 1988, the Lavender Law® Conference & Career Fair has served as a ‘family reunion’ for LGBTQ+ and allied legal professionals to both look back at our shared history and to look forward to the […]

    Read more
    Marla Butler

    Getting Comfortable With LGBTQ+ Issues

    Q: What do you find has been key to successful retention of LGBTQ+ talent? A: One key to recruiting and retaining LGBTQ+ talent is making sure everyone in the workplace is fluent, familiar, and comfortable with LGBTQ+ issues. As Thompson Hine Partner and LGBTQ+ Bar Board Member Marla Butler says in this video, “It was very important […]

    Read more
    Best Practices for Inclusive Restrooms

    Best Practices for Inclusive Restrooms

    Q: What are best practices for law firms when it comes to bathroom policies? A: Here are three core principles for ensuring inclusive restrooms. 1. Ensure that all single-stall restrooms are designated “all-gender.” A growing number of jurisdictions legally mandate such signage on any single-stall restroom, including NYC, DC, and San Francisco, but we recommend […]

    Read more
    Listen With Empathy

    Empathy in the Workplace: Feeling With Others

    Q: How can empathy help take your leadership to new heights?   A: Empathetic leadership can help drive results in more ways than one. Empathy allows you to put yourself in the shoes of your clients, as well as your colleagues. We often hear from straight, cisgender leaders that one of the biggest challenges to […]

    Read more
    DEI Consulting Practice Logo

    The National LGBTQ+ Bar DEI Consulting Practice: A Year In Review

    As we start a fresh new year, we sat down with the LGBTQ+ Bar’s Executive Director, D’Arcy Kemnitz, to learn more about the LGBTQ+ Bar’s DEI Consulting Practice. Let’s hear about some highlights of its success so far and get a preview of what is in store for 2022. How do you help others advocate […]

    Read more
    Centering Yourself

    Centering LGBTQ+ Attorneys of Color

    Q. What best practices and business development opportunities can law firms implement to improve inclusiveness of attorneys who, for example, identify as LGBTQ+ and racially diverse? A. In addition to providing intersectional LGBTQ+ inclusion educational programming for all law firm employees, law firms can do the following: Prioritize stronger mentorship and sponsorship opportunities and resources for LGBTQ+ attorneys, […]

    Read more
    Tokenism

    Addressing Tokenism in the Workplace

    “How does one address tokenism that may be perceived as inclusion due to someone of a diverse group having assumed expert knowledge of said diverse group. For example, is it tokenizing to ask a trans attorney to be part of a client pitch on a matter which involves trans people just because the attorney is […]

    Read more
    Accountability

    Accountability in Action with our DEI Index

    Those of you who have attended our annual Lavender Law® Conference and Career Fair might be familiar with our recruiter index. If you are not familiar with that index listing employment benefits, you can see our 2021 version here. This index derived from our requirement that all recruiters have a workplace nondiscrimination policy that includes both sexual orientation […]

    Read more
    Sel-ID

    Capturing Sexual Orientation on Self-ID

    A growing number of law firms and companies are allowing employees to self-identify their sexual orientation and gender identity in a confidential and voluntary manner.  In a world where many LGBTQ+ people still feel unsafe to be out at work, it is paramount that they are able to disclose their identity on their own terms. Inclusive […]

    Read more
    Free Pride Webinar

    How to support your LGBTQ+ colleagues

    Happy Pride! Here are a few tips for allies on how to best support LGBTQ+ colleagues. Do more than just show up for Pride. Pride occurs once a year on the commemorative anniversary month of the 1969 Stonewall riots. Pride is more than just the stamp of rainbows and marketing to LGBTQ+ people, it’s a […]

    Read more
    Self-Id

    Best Practices: Let Staff Tell Your Their Pronouns

    When it comes to offering pronoun options for employees, the most inclusive practice is to allow people an option to describe their own pronouns. It might be an added step for Human Resources, but the benefit is priceless: the likely few people who use customized options will have the opportunity to have their identities seen […]

    Read more
    Gender ID

    Do you know how to capture gender in an inclusive way when it comes to your Self ID practices?

    Recently, I signed up for a webinar, and was prompted to select my gender with these options: Male Female Transgender As a transgender man, I was in the painful position of choosing between being counted as a trans person, or being counted as a male. It was a very “othering” experience from a very well-intentioned […]

    Read more
    Recruiting

    Are your hiring efforts missing LGBTQ+ talent?

    You know you can connect with amazing people at our Lavender Law® Conference and Career Fair.  But what will set your workplace apart when it comes to LGBTQ+ inclusion?  A whole pool of talented individuals will choose their employer based on how prepared they are to welcome diverse talent.  First, be sure that your workplace is up-to-date on the most […]

    Read more
    Pronouns

    Impact of Adding Pronouns to E-Signature

    Did you know adding pronouns to your e-signature is not only a great move as a LGBTQ+ ally, but it can also bring in business? Hear why with this video testimonial from a partner at Goodwin Procter LLP, Kris Brown, who attended our Lavender Law 365™ program and was inspired to add his pronouns to […]

    Read more
    Why Pronouns Matter

    Why Pronouns Matter

    On October 21, 2020, the National LGBT Bar is proud to join the celebration of International Pronouns Day. For the third year, participants all over the globe will once again acknowledge and celebrate the importance of respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns.  Pronouns, by definition, are the words we use in place of someone’s […]

    Read more
    End the Blood Ban

    End the Blood Ban

    In light of the COVID-19 crisis, the FDA recently reduced the deferral period for “male [blood] donors who would have been deferred for having sex with another man and female donors who would have been deferred for having sex with a man who had sex with another man” from 12 months to 3 months. Yet […]

    Read more
    Courage, Dignity, Strength, and Activism

    Courage, Dignity, Strength, and Activism

    At a White House Coronavirus Task Force press briefing on April 8, 2020, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, took a brief moment to honor the struggle of the LGBTQ+ community during the HIV epidemic. Fauci highlighted how marginalized communities are being disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. […]

    Read more
    Now Is The Time To Commit To Lasting Institutional Change

    Now Is The Time To Commit To Lasting Institutional Change

    By M. Dru Levasseur, Deputy Program Officer of the National LGBT Bar As the COVID-19 pandemic rattles the world economy, several law firms have begun cutting support staff or vastly reducing their billable hours. These initial cuts may be a sign of what’s to come during a potential post-pandemic economic downturn and have far-reaching implications for […]

    Read more
    Trans at Google with Dru Levasseur

    PRESS RELEASE: Lavender Law 365® expands nationwide to bring diversity, equity, and inclusion coaching to law firms and law schools across the country

    For Immediate Release April 22, 2020 Contact: M. Dru Levasseur (202) 637-7661 // dru@lgbtqbar.org Lavender Law 365® expands nationwide to bring diversity, equity, and inclusion coaching to law firms, law schools, and companies across the country. The expansion is a direct response to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs taking a hit from the COVID-19 Crisis. [...]

    Read more
    Inclusion in an Unprecedented Time

    Inclusion in an Unprecedented Time

    By M. Dru Levasseur, Deputy Program Officer of the National LGBT Bar We’re in an unprecedented time.  The global health crisis caused by COVID-19 has led to a near shutdown of most social functioning: no in-office work, no in-store shopping, no gathering of friends, no public events.  Many, many people are left vulnerable, losing work, social […]

    Read more
    The Powerful Role of Attorney

    The Powerful Role of Attorneys

    By M. Dru Levasseur, Deputy Program Officer of the National LGBT Bar On February 1st, I had the honor of keynoting the 19th Annual Minnesota Lavender Bar Conference. It’s always a pleasure to be in the room with members of one of our 38 state and local LGBT Bar Affiliates to hear about the exciting work […]

    Read more
    Beyond Pronouns

    Beyond Pronouns: Embracing the Full Gender Spectrum

    By M. Dru Levasseur, Deputy Program Officer of the National LGBT Bar Last week I spoke to Law360 about “How BigLaw Is Starting To Embrace The Full Gender Spectrum.” It is truly significant that law firms are taking a visible stance to include transgender and nonbinary attorneys in the legal workplace, particularly with the current […]

    Read more
  • THE LGBTQ+ BAR

    1701 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036 | Phone: (202) 637-7661 | E-mail: info@lgbtqbar.org

    • About
    • About Us
    • Need a Lawyer?
    • Leadership
    • Volunteer
    • Careers & Internships
    • Organization Financials
    • Contact Us
    • Programs
    • Advocacy
    • Allies
    • Awards
    • Bar Affiliates
    • Get Out the Vote
    • Job Board
    • Judicial Nuts & Bolts Academy
    • DEI Consulting Practice
    • Law Schools
    • Educational Series
    • Law Students
    • Member Practice Area Groups
    • Mental Health Resources
    • Racial Justice Resource Library
    • Events & Sponsorship
    • Annual
    • Upcoming Events
    • Out & Proud Corporate Counsel Receptions
    • Event Photos
    • Virtual Career Fair and Diversity Program for Small & Mid-Size Firms
    • Donate
    • Donate Now
    • Justice Council
    • Ways to Give
    • Lavender Law
    • Success Story Blog
    • Become a Sponsor
    • Membership
    • Become a Member
    • Renew Membership
    • Member Log In
    • Member Spotlight Blog
    Privacy Policy
    © Copyright 2022 The National LGBTQ+ Bar Association. All rights reserved.
  • This website stores data such as cookies to enable essential site functionality, as well as marketing, personalization, and analytics.
    By continuing to browse this website you indicate your consent to our Privacy Policy.
    To change your settings, click here.

    The National LGBTQ+ Bar Association and Foundation
    Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

    Strictly Necessary Cookies

    Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

    If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

    3rd Party Cookies

    This website uses Google Analytics, WebLeads, Facebook Pixel, LinkedIn, and AdRoll to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

    Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

    Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!