2021 Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association Board of Directors Elections are Open! VOTE HERE The Election is LIVE Vote for the 2021 Mass. LGBTQ Bar Association Board of Directors Its time to cast your vote in this year's Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association Board of Directors Election. The new Board will be announced following this year's Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will take place virtually on Tuesday, May 11 (more details to follow). Please note that all Regular and Life members are entitled to vote. Law Students are not eligible. However, as always, we urge law students to be involved in all facets of the Association and hope interested Law Student Members will become Regular Members in the future. This year's ballot includes candidates for 2 female-identified seats and 2 male-identified seats. Note that there were no nominations submitted this cycle for the vacant self-identified transgender, genderqueer or non-binary director seat.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact any member of the Nominating Committee: Drew Collins, Nailah Freeman, Anthony Lombardi or Kelly Bonnevie.     Alexander Gray Scholarship Applications open March 15th, 2021 The Alexander Gray Scholarship application process opens March 15, 2021!  Each year, the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association selects an outstanding law student to receive an award of approximately $3,500 to apply to law school expenses.  Eligible applicants must be enrolled full or part time in law school for the 2021-2022 academic year, and are asked to submit a few short essays, resume, transcript, and one letter of recommendation to KG Gasseling (kgasseling@gmail.com) by April 9th, 2021.  Applicants may download an Alexander G. Gray, Jr., Scholarship Application Form here. Please visit our scholarship page for more information and a link to the updated application form.  If you have questions, please reach out to KG Gasseling.

Announcement Regarding the 2021 Annual Dinner

This year has certainly brought challenges! Last April, the board of directors for the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association (the Board") was making the tough decision to cancel the 2020 Annual Dinner in light of the pandemic. Since then, we have all adapted to a virtual world, both professionally and personally, and watched our profession change in ways we couldn't have predicted. Though things have been a little different, the Board has worked hard this year to bring thoughtful programming to our members, to partner with our sister affinity organizations and to bring our community closer through events. In spite of being unable to gather, this year has shown how close we really are.

If the last twelve months has given us anything, it has been some extra time to plan, and the Board is excited about the programming and changes to come. While we are edging ever closer to normal, we aren't quite there. Understanding many are experiencing various levels of fatigue with virtual meetings and events, the Board decided to shift things again this year. In lieu of our Annual Dinner, the Board will circulate a report summarizing this infamous year, including several announcements about initiatives to come in the year ahead.

But rest up, because we are planning big things for the the rest of 2021 and looking forward to gathering again at our Annual Dinner in 2022! 

    

      

Welcome all Law Students!

It may not be the school year you expected, but classes are in session.  Whether you are a 1L or a returning student, remote or in person, the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association wishes you a great school year!  Don't forget that Memberships for students are FREE!  We would love to welcome you into the network.

 

Be Part of the Fun! Don't forget that the the Bar Association has several Committees and Sections that are filled by members like you!  Look through the list below and reach out if you have any interest in being a part of one (or more) of these dynamic groups.  For more information on what each committee or section does, visit the "Sections and Committee" page on our website or send a message to Administrator@masslgbtqbar.org for more information. Committees: Membership Committee Western Massachusetts Committee Judiciary/Amicus Committee Legislative Committee Mentorship Committee Scholarship Committee Nominating/Elections Committee Audit Committee  Sections: Committee for Transgender Inclusion Immigration Section Family Law Section Women’s Forum Bisexual Lawyers of Boston Attorneys and Law Students of Color In House Section

2020/2021 Board of Directors Executive Board: Co-Chair: Annika Bockius-Suwyn Co-Chair: Daniel Ball Treasurer: Joseph P. Lucia Secretary: Drew Collins Board of Directors: Matthew Barison Nailah Freeman KG Gasseling Eva Jellison Lisa Lippiello Anthony Lombardi MyShawndria Ward

   MEMBERSHIP

    

Don't forget to renew! Your membership is important; it is through the support of our members that we are able to strengthen and grow the Association as well as serve the LGBTQ community.

For those impacted by COVID-19: Memberships are organized on a sliding scale! If your situation has changed since you last renewed, just sign up for the membership that best suits your current situation.

As a member, you will be able to access a wide range of benefits, resources and events. The full range of benefits and events can be found on our website at http://www.masslgbtqbar.org. Remember to create and/or update your profile on a periodic basis.

 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to our Membership Committee chair, Joseph Lucia (joseph.lucia@mass.gov), or send a message to adminstrator@masslgbtqbar.org.