February, 2001 Newsletter

THLA PRESENTS MCLE PROGRAM ON GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER FAMILY LAW ISSUES

THLA's bi-monthly general meeting is scheduled for noon on Wednesday, March 28, 2001 in the Broderick room of the SDCBA at the corner of Seventh Avenue and A Street, downtown San Diego. The topic is 'Representing the GLBT Client in a Family Law Custody/Visitation Matter." Moderated by THLA co-President and SDCBA Vice President Bill Hargreaves, the panelists for the presentation will include Family Law Commissioner Alan Clements, Family Court Services Executive Director, Pattie Chavez Fallon, and THLA board member and Treasurer Leigh Kretzschmar. MCLE credit is available! For additional information, contact Bill Hargreaves at (619) 238-5501.

THLA SEEKS NOMINATIONS TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Co-President's Column by Linda Cory Allen

THLA is actively seeking nominations to its Board of Directors. Due to significant growth in the number of programs and activities, more individuals with the time and energy to help move our organization forward are needed. Board membership involves attendance at monthly board meetings, active participation on one or more committees of the board, and support of THLA programs and events. Most important of all is a commitment to the legal issues affecting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons.
Standing Committees of the board include Membership, Social Events, Public Relations, Amicus, Newsletter, Monthly Programs, and Annual Dinner.
Members are encouraged to submit nominations to either Linda Cory Allen or J. William Hargreaves, and self-nominations are also encouraged. The board intends to begin consideration of nominees as early as the March 1st board meeting, so please forward nominations as soon as possible. Help us make a great organization even better.
For more information or to make a nomination, contact either Linda Cory Allen at (619) 235-5656, ext. 105 or Bill Hargreaves at (619) 238-5501.

THLA BOARD MEETINGS - CHANGE

The THLA board of directors now meets on the first Thursday of each month to discuss the organization's goals, accomplishments and finances. Members are welcome to attend or to seek to have an issue addressed by the board.
To attend, come to the second floor board room at the California Western School of Law administration building, 225 Cedar Street, at 5:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. The March meeting of the board will be held on Thursday, March 1, 2001.

THLA ANNUAL DINNER ON MAY 10TH

THLA is hosting its Annual Dinner at the Rock Bottom Caf' on Thursday, May 10, 2001. Arizona State Representative Steve May is the featured guest speaker. Mr. May, a Republican, found himself in the national spotlight after coming out as a gay man during a speech in the Arizona House in opposition to a bill that would have prohibited state government agencies from offering benefits to same-sex domestic partners. He was subsequently investigated by the U.S. military under the controversial 'don't ask, don't tell' policy, even though he was not an active member of the service at the time.

After contesting Mr. May's status for nearly two years, the U.S. Army announced in January 2001 that it was relenting in its attempt to kick him out. He'll now be allowed to complete his term of service, which ends May 11, 2001. The military claimed that Mr. May violated the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, but officials ended action against him because he agreed not to re-enlist. Please join us to celebrate this years Annual Dinner where you can meet Mr. May and THLA's honorees. For more information about the dinner and to RSVP, call either J. William Hargreaves at (619)238-5501, or Linda Cory Allen at (619)498-6511.

EARN MCLE CREDIT AT CONFERENCE

The National Lawyers Guild, San Diego Chapter, is planning to hold a Chapter Conference on Saturday, March 3, 2001 at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law. As part of the conference, THLA will be presenting a workshop session devoted to Gay and Lesbian Issues. MCLE credit is available for attendance. For more information, contact the National Lawyers Guild at (619) 233-1701

NEW WEBSITE FOR LESBIAN SURVIVORS OF ABUSE

For those who may have lesbian clients or friends who are survivors of domestic abuse, there is a new website offering support and information for both survivors and their partners. Rainbow Hope currently has a forum and chat, a list of links on many issues, a page specifically for suicidal feelings, a fun page, and much more. The site is a featured website in The Advocate for February 2001. The URL for the site is: http://www.geocities.com/rainbowhope2000/

THLA RESOURCE DIRECTORY INFORMATION FORM

Each year, THLA publishes a directory of members. Only those members who fill out this form will be included in this directory. The directory is available to the public and THLA members free of charge, and can be picked up at any general meeting. This will be a great referral source as the directory will note each member's area of practice. If you want to be listed in the 2001 THLA directory, please print out this form and mail it to THLA today, or bring it to the next general meeting! Mail forms to: THLA, PMB- 137, 1010 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92103. Please indicate below if you are interested in placing a business card size ad in the upcoming directory. If placing an ad, please include a check for $20 payable to THLA and a representative will contact you. Again, please return this form ASAP if you want to be included in the next directory!