chevron-down Created with Sketch Beta.

    The Equalizer, Winter 2016

    Volume 1 No. 2   January 2016

    Diversity & Inclusion

    From the Chair

    First, allow me to introduce myself. I was privileged in the Fall to take over as the new Chair of the SOGI Commission. After 25 years as a family law litigator, I recently accepted a position as the new Deputy General Counsel for the Oregon State Bar. As a family law attorney, I have been involved with the legal issues surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity for many years.

    In This Issue

    Diversity & Inclusion

    Honoring Abby

    The Nashville Scene has recently dubbed civil rights attorney Abby Rubenfeld as “the warrior,” referencing her pivotal role in the recent marriage equality victory. Those of us who have known Abby for more than five minutes, and the more of us who have known of Abby and benefited from her hard work and dedication, congratulate the Nashville Scene for pointing out the obvious. With all due respect to the Nashville Scene (and seriously, major respect is due to the Scene for its outstanding homage to Abby), the term “warrior” is a grave understatement. Perhaps one of the best terms that could be used to describe Abby Rubenfeld is “champion.”

    Diversity & Inclusion

    History of Bullyproof

    Bullyproof was the idea and creation of former YLD Chair Mario Sullivan, who at the ABA 2013 Annual Conference in San Francisco, launched Bullyproof as his featured 2013-14 ABA YLD Public Service Project. At the same Conference, the YLD Assembly unanimously approved and adopted YLD Resolution 6YL, which highlighted the history of the ABA’s efforts to address the growing bullying epidemic in the U.S. What’s more, the Resolution recommended that federal, state, territorial, and local officials and administrators specifically address bullying and make available programs like mentoring and counseling for students, teachers, administrators and families involved in bullying incidents.

    Diversity & Inclusion

    The Section of Civil Rights & Social Justice: 50th year of service to the ABA

    The Section of Civil Rights & Social Justice is celebrating its 50th anniversary this bar year. Our original name—the Section of Individual Rights & Responsibility—was one forged in compromise. As noted by Former Chair, Father Robert Drinan, in a 1991 Human Rights Magazine article: “The name ‘Section of Individual Rights’ was chosen to avoid the anticipated resistance to the use of ‘civil rights.’ The term ‘Responsibilities’ was added on the floor of the House and was agreed to by the sponsors simply to avoid controversy and to ease the birth of the section.”