Massachusetts Know Your Rights - Page 34 of 40 - GLAD Law
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Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders today unveiled “GLAD Answers”, an updated version of its venerable Legal InfoLine. GLAD Answers is an information and referral service that GLAD has run since its inception, in recent years receiving more than 2,000 inquiries annually from LGBT people and people living with HIV.

The new features of GLAD Answers are:

• A dedicated URL, www.GLADAnswers.org
• An enhanced live chat function
• A new, direct email address: GLADAnswers@glad.org
• Use of an interpretation service for non-English speakers
• And a snappy new name and logo:
GLAD Answers

GLAD Answers retains its regular phone hours of 1:30-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, and its phone number of 1-800-455-GLAD.  The service is staffed by highly-trained volunteers who provide callers with legal information and referrals that can help resolve issues ranging from school bullying to employment discrimination.

In addition to empowering those who make use of the service, GLAD Answers enables Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders to identify new legal issues, patterns of discrimination, and cases to litigate.

“Often, empowered with legal information, people can resolve their situations themselves,” said Bruce Bell, Public Engagement and Information Manager. “For example, we recently heard from a mom in Maine whose son was getting resistance from his school when he tried to start a Gay-Straight Alliance.  We gave her the information and tools she needed to talk with administrators and within two weeks the school approved the GSA.”

“GLAD Answers is my go-to resource whenever I have questions pertaining to the rights of LGBT youth and young adults. I call them directly for help and I also strongly encourage our youth to contact them if they have a question about their rights,” said Jayeson Watts, MSW, Direct Services Coordinator of Youth Pride, Inc., in Rhode Island. “The staff and volunteers are easy to talk to, knowledgeable and committed to helping LGBT people get the fair treatment they deserve. GLAD Answers is an invaluable resource.”

Although GLAD Answers specializes in LGBT/HIV legal information for the six New England states, the service provides help to anyone who contacts it.

News

INTRODUCING GLAD ANSWERS: OUR UPDATED LEGAL INFORMATION LINE

GLAD today unveiled “GLAD Answers”, an updated version of our venerable Legal InfoLine. GLAD Answers is an information and referral service that GLAD has run since our inception, in recent years receiving more than 2,000 inquiries annually from LGBT people and people living with HIV.

The new features of GLAD Answers are:

• A dedicated URL, www.GLADAnswers.org
• An enhanced live chat function
• A new, direct email address: GLADAnswers@glad.org
• Use of an interpretation service for non-English speakers
• And a snappy new name and logo:
GLAD Answers

GLAD Answers retains its regular phone hours of 1:30-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, and its phone number of 1-800-455-GLAD.  The service is staffed by highly trained volunteers who provide callers with legal information and referrals that can help resolve issues ranging from school bullying to employment discrimination.

In addition to empowering those who make use of the service, GLAD Answers enables GLAD to identify new legal issues, patterns of discrimination, and cases to litigate.

“Often, empowered with legal information, people can resolve their situations themselves,” said Bruce Bell, Public Engagement and Information Manager. “For example, we recently heard from a mom in Maine whose son was getting resistance from his school when he tried to start a Gay-Straight Alliance.  We gave her the information and tools she needed to talk with administrators and within two weeks the school approved the GSA.”

“GLAD Answers is my go-to resource whenever I have questions pertaining to the rights of LGBT youth and young adults. I call them directly for help and I also strongly encourage our youth to contact them if they have a question about their rights,” said Jayeson Watts, MSW, Direct Services Coordinator of Youth Pride, Inc., in Rhode Island. “The staff and volunteers are easy to talk to, knowledgeable and committed to helping LGBT people get the fair treatment they deserve. GLAD Answers is an invaluable resource.”

Although GLAD Answers specializes in LGBT/HIV legal information for the six New England states, the service provides help to anyone who contacts it.

News

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders is pleased to announce the addition of Staff Attorney Zack M. Paakkonen, who will focus his work on legal issues facing the transgender community as part of GLAD’s Transgender Rights Project. Paakkonen joins the legal team on September 3rd.

“With so much work still left to be done to secure legal and social equality for transgender people, Zack Paakkonen is a tremendous addition to our legal team,” said Legal Director Gary Buseck. “With his experience advocating on behalf of transgender clients inside and outside the courtroom, he’s ready to hit the ground running as GLAD continues its cutting-edge work on transgender legal issues.”

Paakkonen brings to GLAD significant experience advocating for the rights of transgender clients in a variety of contexts. In 2008, he and his law partner Alice Neal founded West End Legal, LLC, in Portland, Maine, a general practice firm focusing on the needs of the local LGBT community. Paakkonen’s work included representing transgender clients in matters of family law and other probate matters, advising clients regarding discrimination matters in school and employment, handling matters involving youth in a variety of contexts, and advocacy for transgender people within the penal system and within state government on public policy matters.

“While I’m proud of the work I’ve done for the transgender community in private practice, I’m excited about the opportunity GLAD gives me to have a broader impact on improving and expanding legal protections for the transgender community in New England and across the country,” said Paakkonen.

Read more here

News

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders will host its 31st annual Summer Party on Saturday, July 27th from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm in Provincetown, MA. Edie Windsor, plaintiff in Windsor v. United States – the case that successfully brought down DOMA at the Supreme Court – will be GLAD’s special guest, along with award-winning political humorist Kate Clinton who will be returning as auctioneer extraordinaire.
The Summer Party is a time to mingle with other GLAD supporters, enjoy the view of the harbor, chat with GLAD attorneys,  and hear GLAD’s Executive Director Lee Swislow talk about the exciting work ahead to create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation.
The live auction will feature tickets to a taping of The Daily Show, South African Safari, a Costa Rican vacation, a Virgin Islands trip, 10 Kimpton travel packages, plus restaurants, massages, and much more. The silent auction is now online, including a preview of live auction items: http://www.biddingforgood.com/glad
The event features complimentary summer fare by Above & Beyond Catering, Ben & Jerry’s, Konditor Meister and ScottCakes. Cocktails will be provided by Bacardi, Barefoot Wines and Samuel Adams.
Children are welcome to attend at no charge and will enjoy a range of fun activities.
The Summer Party is held outside in the heart of Provincetown on the grounds of Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum at 1 High Pole Hill Rd Provincetown, MA 02657.
Tickets are $75 online, $85 on site, and $30 for students. Visit https://www.gladlaw.org/event/2013-summer-party to purchase tickets and for more information.
Summer Party Committee Co-Chairs: Rob Compton & David Wilson, Gabby Hanna & Marcy Feller, Jeanne Leszczynski & Diane DiCarlo, Richard D. McCarthy & Gary Bailey LHD(h.c.) MSW ACSW, Scott Pomfret & Scott Whittier, Alix L. Ritchie & Marty Davis, Joseph M. Smith & Scott Popkowski. Host Committee Members: Ralph & Miriam Freidin, Gordon M. Gottlieb & Rob Krikorian, Craig Robbins & Eric Huang.

News

Yesterday, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law the School Success and Opportunity Act (AB1266), ensuring that transgender students can fully access all school activities, sports teams, programs and facilities – including sex- segregated bathrooms and locker rooms – that match their gender identity.

The Massachusetts Transgender Equal Rights Coalition, which is working in Massachusetts for the passage of the Transgender Equal Access Bill, issued the following comments in response to the enactment of the California Law:

“We applaud Governor Brown and the state of California for taking this critical step to ensure that transgender youth have their gender identities affirmed and respected at school, and that they have the same opportunities as the rest of their classmates to play sports, participate in physical education classes, school clubs and attend field trips,” said Mason Dunn, executive director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition. “Ensuring that transgender students can access sex-segregated facilities and programs consistent with their gender identity is simple and fair, and increasingly becoming the norm, as we saw in Massachusetts when the Department of Elementary and Secondary education released its guidance on supporting transgender students in the Commonwealth’s schools.”

“But while Massachusetts has taken important steps to treat transgender students fairly in our public schools, it remains that transgender young people and adults can still be refused access to public places like hospitals, restaurants, homeless shelters, nursing homes and supermarkets,” added Dunn. “Our legislature can correct this injustice by passing the Equal Access Bill so that transgender residents of the Commonwealth have the same access to vital services and public spaces their fellow residents enjoy.”

Read more about the Coalition and their full statement here.

News

Boston, MA – Yesterday, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law the School Success and Opportunity Act (AB1266), ensuring that transgender students can fully access all school activities, sports teams, programs and facilities – including sex- segregated bathrooms and locker rooms – that match their gender identity.

The Massachusetts Transgender Equal Rights Coalition, which is working in Massachusetts for the passage of the Transgender Equal Access Bill, issued the following comments in response to the enactment of the California Law:

“We applaud Governor Brown and the state of California for taking this critical step to ensure that transgender youth have their gender identities affirmed and respected at school, and that they have the same opportunities as the rest of their classmates to play sports, participate in physical education classes, school clubs and attend field trips,” said Mason Dunn, executive director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition. “Ensuring that transgender students can access sex-segregated facilities and programs consistent with their gender identity is simple and fair, and increasingly becoming the norm, as we saw in Massachusetts when the Department of Elementary and Secondary education released its guidance on supporting transgender students in the Commonwealth’s schools.”

“But while Massachusetts has taken important steps to treat transgender students fairly in our public schools, it remains that transgender young people and adults can still be refused access to public places like hospitals, restaurants, homeless shelters, nursing homes and supermarkets,” added Dunn. “Our legislature can correct this injustice by passing the Equal Access Bill so that transgender residents of the Commonwealth have the same access to vital services and public spaces their fellow residents enjoy.”
“We commend Gov. Brown and the California Legislature for affirming the dignity of transgender youth and for their leadership on issues of transgender equality.” said Kara Suffredini, executive director of MassEquality. “We hope that Massachusetts lawmakers will follow their lead by passing the Equal Access Bill so that all residents of the Commonwealth, including transgender residents, can access our public spaces safely and without fear of discrimination or other unfair treatment.”
###

About the Transgender Equal Rights Coalition
The Transgender Equal Rights Coalition is working to pass H. 1589/S. 643, “An Act relative to equal access in hospitals, public transportation, nursing homes, supermarkets, retail establishments, and all other places open to the public. Also known as the Equal Access Bill, this legislation would add protections based on gender identity to existing Massachusetts’ civil rights laws governing public accommodations, which currently prohibit discrimination on the basis of religious affiliation or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, nationality, or any physical or mental disability. Gender identity is defined as “a person’s gender-related identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not that gender-related identity, appearance or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person’s physiology or assigned sex at birth.” Members of the coalition include: Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition; MassEquality; Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders; National Association of Social Workers, MA; Mass Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus; National Organization for Women, MA; ACLU of Massachusetts; Mass. LGBTQ Bar Association and ADL New England.

News

On August 2, 2013 Secretary of State John Kerry announced that: “Effective immediately, when same-sex spouses apply for a visa, the Department of State will consider that application in the same manner that it will consider the application of opposite-sex spouses.” Read the full announcement.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Department of State have both issued the following FAQs regarding the ability to apply for a visa for a same-sex spouse after the fall of DOMA:

News

Ben Klein, Senior Attorney with Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, testified yesterday at the Massachusetts statehouse in support of a bill to ban so-called “conversion therapy” – therapy that attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation.
Testimony on the bill, H 154, was heard before the Massachusetts Legislature’s Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities.
“So-called conversion therapy is a disgraceful chapter in our society’s mistreatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people,” said Klein in his testimony, the full text of which can be read here on GLAD’s website. “It’s been proven ineffective, it defies modern medicine, and it inflicts serious psychological harm on young people.”
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Carl Sciortino, would prohibit any licensed healthcare professional in Massachusetts from engaging in any practice that seeks impose a change in the ‘‘sexual orientation or gender identity’’ of anyone under 18.  Any licensed professional violating the ban would be subject to discipline that could include the suspension or revocation of their license to practice.
“GLAD strongly supports this bill, which we believe is a significant step to creating a better, more affirming world for LGBT youth,” said Klein.  “Passage of this bill will send an important message that sexual orientation and gender identity do not need changing. Being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender is normal and healthy.”

News

Ben Klein, Senior Attorney with Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, testified yesterday at the Massachusetts statehouse in support of a bill to ban so-called “conversion therapy” – therapy that attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation.
Testimony on the bill, H 154, was heard before the Massachusetts Legislature’s Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities.
“So-called conversion therapy is a disgraceful chapter in our society’s mistreatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people,” said Klein in his testimony, the full text of which can be read here on GLAD’s website. “It’s been proven ineffective, it defies modern medicine, and it inflicts serious psychological harm on young people.”
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Carl Sciortino, would prohibit any licensed healthcare professional in Massachusetts from engaging in any practice that seeks impose a change in the ‘‘sexual orientation or gender identity’’ of anyone under 18.  Any licensed professional violating the ban would be subject to discipline that could include the suspension or revocation of their license to practice.
“GLAD strongly supports this bill, which we believe is a significant step to creating a better, more affirming world for LGBT youth,” said Klein.  “Passage of this bill will send an important message that sexual orientation and gender identity do not need changing. Being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender is normal and healthy.”

News

Ten years after the Supreme Judicial Court’s decision in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health made Massachusetts the first state in the U.S. where same-sex couples could marry, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) will honor the author of that decision, Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall.

“The decision not only transformed the lives of LGBT people in our Commonwealth, it changed the country, shone light on the lives of LGBT people, and set us all on an amazing journey,” said Lee Swislow, Executive Director of GLAD. “We are thrilled to honor Chief Justice Marshall not only for this eloquent and historic opinion, but for her lifelong commitment to justice for everyone.”

In Goodridge, GLAD represented seven same-sex couples who wished to marry.  Civil Rights Project Director Mary Bonauto argued the case before the Supreme Judicial Court on March 4, 2003, and the world-changing decision was issued on November 18, 2003.

Chief Justice Marshall will accept the award at the 14th Annual Spirit of Justice Award Dinner at the Boston Copley Marriot on October 25, 2013.  Details about the event are available at https://www.gladlaw.org/events

Read the full press release here.

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