Judges to explore LGBTQ+ court cases at ABA program June 25

Six judges and former judges will discuss a string of court cases affecting the LGBTQ+ community at an online program Friday, June 25, hosted by the American Bar Association Judicial Division.

The program is titled “Legal Path to Equity: The Progress, Challenges and Perseverance of the LGBTQ+ Community in the Courts.” It is part of the ABA’s celebration of Pride Month.

The program will explore landmark cases and events including the Stonewall Riots, Obergefell v. Hodges, and Bostock v. Clayton County. The panel will discuss access, equality and equity for members of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as relevant legal opinions and advancements nationally. Panelists will include:

• Judge Patricia C. Baca of the 346th District Court in El Paso, Texas.

• Marcy L. Kahn, former associate justice of the Appellate Division, New York State Court. She was the first openly lesbian judge in the New York City Criminal Court.

• Senior Judge Larnzell Martin Jr. of the 7th Circuit Court in Prince George’s County, Maryland. He is former secretary of the International Association of LGBTQ+ Judges.

• Associate Justice Sabrina McKenna of the Hawaii Supreme Court. She is the first openly gay justice to serve on the court.

• Chief Administrative Law Judge Kristin L. Rosi of the California Department of Insurance. She is vice president of the International Association of LGBTQ+ Judges.

• Associate Justice G. Helen Whitener of the Washington State Supreme Court. She is the first black LGBTQ judge in Washington.

The program will start at noon and will be moderated by Michael G. Bergmann, executive director of the Public Interest Law Initiative in Chicago. The program is co-sponsored by the ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice, ABA Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and the National Judicial College.

To register for the online program, visit www.americanbar.org and click on “events.”