With a nearly 500 members, the Massachusetts Lesbian & Gay Bar Association (MLGBA, www.mlgba.org) celebrated its 25th anniversary at a gala dinner in May.The organization of LGBT lawyers has worked tirelessly for two and a half decades across the Commonwealth to advance gay equality by providing legal expertise on everything from second-parent adoption to marriage equality to transgender civil rights. Much of what the gay bar association does is behind the scenes — writing friend-of–the-court or amicus briefs, social and professional networking, connecting with other bar associations, including minority bar groups. “We’re sort of the network underneath, the link to what needs to happen,” said MLGBA clerk and dinner co-chair Richard Moore.As just one measure of MLGBA’s stature, Governor Deval Patrick and Attorney General Martha Coakley paid tribute to the organization for its achievements. Their remarks came via a taped video message during the dinner.With second parent adoption, and marriage equality continuously weaving their ways through Massachusetts’ social fabric, MLGBA is focussing more on a legal push behind legislation pending on Beacon Hill—An Act Relative to Gender Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes.At the gala, Moore spoke passionately about transgender equality. “As a gay man who wants the equal rights of marriage and non-discrimination, it would be hypocritical for me not to be outspoken—or to state loudly—that equal rights does not mean what is deemed easy in Massachusetts,” said Moore, who is also an associate attorney in the corporate department at the law firm Ropes & Gray. “Just because it may not be my personal battle, doesn’t mean it’s a battle not worth fighting for” he said during a follow-up interview.Moore cites a fellow Northeastern alum and current MLGBA member Laura Langley as an inspiration. She organized a teach-in where anyone could ask any question T-related.Out of law school now several years, Langley, an associate at the law firm Bingham McCutchen, continues her pioneering work. She chairs MLGBA’s transgender inclusion committee. The transgender committee of the MLGBA brought the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Boston Bar Association, the Women’s Bar Association, the Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association all on board in support of the pending legislation.MLGBA also enables law students to connect with members of the legal profession through mentoring.Each fall the gay bar group holds an event where members sign up to mentor or be mentored. “We link MLGBA students with a lawyer in their area of interest, with a mentor in a field or practice area,” explained Moore.Attorney David Eppley, co-chair of the gay bar organization, summed up his experience. “MLGBA has been invaluable to me, where I have met countless friends and colleagues,” he said. “In the family law arena, I have also been able to bounce heady questions with some of the best in the business.”Added Eppley, partner at the firm Rackeman, Sawyer & Brewster, “MLGBA has made me a much better attorney.” [x]
