June, 2001 Newsletter

SDCBA Sponsors Seminar on Representation of GLTB Clients

The San Diego County Bar Association's 'Third Thursday' program for the month of June featured a distinguished panel of gay, lesbian and gay-supportive attorneys who presented an informative and entertaining seminar concerning representation of gay and lesbian clients: everything you always wanted to know. Organized by former THLA Co-President Bill Hargreaves, the panelists covered the gamut from estate planning to family law, criminal defense, military law, real estate law, business law and appellate law. The honorable Bonnie M. Dumanis, Judge of the Superior Court, moderated the discussion and kept the panelists and audience members engaged in a lively dialogue. The panelists' advised those in attendance on all of the important issues affecting the GLBT community from the importance of not scheduling legal clinics on the evening of the Academy Awards to why a parent would want to legally adopt his or her own child. Attendees were eligible to receive MCLE credits toward the elimination of bias requirement. The entire program is available on videocassette. To order a copy, contact Ed West, Continuing Education Coordinator at the SDCBA (619) 231-0781, ext. 110.

Is Apathy Good? Guest Commentary by David Sherman

I am responding to Bill Hargreaves' column last month regarding the THLA Annual Dinner. Like Bill, I was surprised that the dinner was poorly attended by THLA members. However, maybe this apparent 'apathy' provides an opportunity for THLA to engage in some self-examination. I don't have any magic answers. But, I think we must be willing to ask ourselves the right questions. Is 'apathy' a good thing?
Are THLA members so well integrated into mainstream society that it's just not that important anymore to prioritize activity in an exclusively gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender organization? We are all so busy with competing demands on our time (school, work, recreation, family, neighborhood, etc.). Isn't this a sign of progress? Don't we accomplish more by interacting with the 'straight' world and demonstrating how we enrich our surroundings, than we ever do by segregating ourselves?

Without a pressing political issue that directly threatens or challenges us, haven't we become complacent and unwilling to keep fighting less immediate 'fringe' battles?

Is the THLA board out of touch with its membership? Is a lack of active membership a reflection of the leadership of the board? Don't people 'vote with their feet?' Is THLA relevant and responsive to the needs of its members? Does THLA strive to improve its own diversity (people of color, socio-economic, place of origin, divergent social and political perspectives)?

I have been an 'out' lawyer for 20 years as a Public Defender, private lawyer, District Attorney, and now a City Attorney. Yet, I've learned never to 'judge' how anyone else handles being 'out' at work or with family. It's an intensely personal decision. Similarly, I resent any implication that failure to attend an Annual Dinner somehow means that members don't appreciate the value of an organization. Does 'apathy' mean lack of commitment, or just the lack of hours in the day?

I know I've gone far afield of the simple question of why there weren't more members at the Annual Dinner?! Perhaps it is something as simple as not doing enough to advertise in time. I'm interested in stimulating a dialogue. Maybe I'm overreacting, but I thought I sensed a certain tone in Bill's column that was almost chiding members for not doing enough to stay involved. I believe how we interact in daily life as unique individuals is more powerful than anything else.

Of course, there is much to do on many fronts and valuable goals to be reached. As lawyers, we have a special responsibility to advocate for those too powerless to fight for themselves. Can we contribute to our larger community without primarily concentrating on the most divisive issues? Would there be less 'apathy' if we embraced many types of community service, even involving non-legal issues? Can we start by acknowledging and respecting diversity within our own group before we demand tolerance and acceptance from others? Maybe apathy is a good thing if it forces us to evolve and become an even more progressive and effective organization.

THLA BOARD MEETING CHANGE

The THLA board of directors now meets on the first Wednesday of each month to review the organization's goals, accomplishments finances and future programs. Members are welcome to attend or to seek to have an issue addressed by the board.

Meetings are held in 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 Wednesday of each month. Due to the July 4th holiday, the July meeting of the board will be Wednesday, July 11, 2001.

General Meetings are held bi-monthly. Watch the Newsletter for the time, date and place of the next General Meeting.

SUBMISSIONS TO THLA NEWSLETTER

The THLA newsletter is published monthly by the Tom Homann Law Association, a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation. All THLA members are welcome and encouraged to submit articles or announcements for publica'tion. THLA

FROM THE EDITOR - Ted Roberts

In this issue, David Sherman raises some interesting questions regarding what it means to be 'out' and what it means to be committed to a cause or to an organization. As a membership organization, THLA is dedicated to serving the needs of the gay, lesbian, transsexual and bisexual legal community here in San Diego. But what does 'serve' really mean in this context? In the beginning, THLA was primarily a social organization, a place where legal professionals could develop mutual support and also socialize with other GLBT legal professionals.

Today, THLA is active in preparing amicus briefs, partnering with organizations such as the ACLU in fighting to end the Boy Scouts' leases of public property in Balboa Park and Mission Bay, and educating school districts and GLBT youth regarding harassment in the schools. Last month's bar association presentation on representing GLBT clients shows just how much our community and our issues have become a matter of concern, not just within our organization, but within our profession locally. We've come a long way, but we can do more. Where do you fit in?