Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Rights Section Newsletter Vol. 8, No. 1 — October 2015 Chair’s Corner by C.J. Griffin hen I became chair in May at the Annual Meeting, I acknowledged that I had big shoes to fill. Our immediate past chair, Robyn Gigl, did a tremendous job W leading the section. I wondered how I could ever lead as well as she did. What I realized was that no one ever can be Robyn—but no one can ever be CJ, either. As I reflect on prior years, I can say with certainty that each and every year since I have been involved, the chair has brought something unique and special to the section. We have already had two general membership meetings this year, so I hope that what I intend to bring to the section has become self-evident, but: • I seek to more actively engage new members by leading through small committees, such as our CLE Committee, Community Outreach Committee, Legislative Commit- tee, Networking/Social Committee, Diversity Working Group, and Strategic Planning Committee. I hope new faces will become more involved and grow into leadership positions within the section. • I aim to make our general membership meetings more personal, where we discuss important topics in small groups so we can get to know each other and everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas and experiences with the common goal of making the section even better. • I want to lead us toward strategic thinking. What is our core mission? What is our short-term plan and what is our long-term plan? Where have we been and where are we going? How do we get there? • I strive to tackle diversity issues that exist within our section and within the NJSBA at large: exploring how we can be more diverse in terms of race, age, experience, and legal practice areas; engaging in internal cultural competency around issues such as gender, polyamory, and other topics that are unfamiliar to some of us; and making all members feel welcome and embraced. Go to New Jersey State Bar Association Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Rights Section 1 Index • I hope we continue to educate other attorneys. Let’s face it, we host amazing continuing legal education (CLE) programs. I want us to continue to have a strong presence at the Annual Meeting, where we have the opportunity to reach a large audience and educate the legal community about LGBT issues. Our CLE panels give us the opportunity to partner with other sections, which is something I hope to increase. • I want to have fun! I strongly believe that the better we know each other, the more likely we are to feel motivated to take leadership roles, serve on committees, and do the important work of the section. We will aim for frequent informal social and networking events throughout the year, in various locations across the state. I have already seen so many new faces at meetings this year, and I am honored that so many of you have emailed me privately, volunteering to staff events, serve on commit- tees, or otherwise be involved. I am also thankful for our previous chairs and trustees, who always step up to the plate to lead committees, offer advice, speak on panels, and mentor new members. My goal is to find ways to bring together the wisdom, experience, and devo- tion of our long-term members with the energy and fresh perspective of our new members, so we can build on what has been a long, successful history of the LGBT Rights Section. I am honored to work alongside all of you. Editorial Board Inside this issue Editor-in-Chief: Nancy Del Pizzo Chair’s Corner 1 Special Editors: by CJ Griffin Matthew Coleman Aimee Creed 3 Londa Recognized for Lifetime Achievement Executive Officers Chair: The New Jersey Judiciary Commemorates C.J. Griffin LGBT Pride Month 2015 5 Chair-Elect: by Lisa R. Burke John M. Keating Vice Chair: The Attempt to Transform Religious Freedom into the Jodi A. Argentino Right to Discriminate: Hobby Lobby and Beyond 6 Secretary: Celeste Fiore by Robyn B. Gigl Advising Clients Considering a Co-maternity 10 by Bill Singer Commentary Marriage Equality 12 by Walter M. Stringer The statements of the various authors contained within this issue are their individual opinions and should not be viewed as those of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Rights Section, the New Jersey State Bar Association or any other agency or organization. New Jersey State Bar Association Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Rights Section 2 Index Londa Recognized for Lifetime Achievement (Editor’s Note: On April 28, 2015, Felice T. Londa received the Lifetime Service Achievement Award from the LGBT Rights Law Section during the organization’s annual dinner. The award recognized her contributions in advancing LGBT rights in New Jersey. Following is her speech.) Let’s hear it for my fabulous Rap Committee Lifetime Achievement and rap band—please stand—Amy Gorin and, Award Rap of course, my wife Stacy Brodsky, and on the When I started fighting for LGBT rights, noisemakers my sister, Leslie Westreich. And for I never dreamed that we would hit such heights. the wonderful annual dinner committee—Jodi I thought I’d have to be well guarded Argentino and Becca Levine. But it was soon apparent That I was too transparent Getting more serious, I first want to say Couldn’t get the pronouns “straight” thank you to all of you who have come this ‘Cause I had found Stacy, my soul mate. evening. Senator Loretta Weinberg, my heart is The LGBT Rights Section full that you have come, Supreme Court Justice was a fabulous connection. Jaynee LaVacchia, Senator Barbara Buono, Patri- Domestic partnership drafts were written cia Bell, Stacy, Ray, Pete and Claire, friends and the LGBT Rights Section by Tom Prol and Deb Guston. While LGBT fans for their rights were a-lustin’, members, who in many ways have become family to me. McGreevy’s team forced too much adjustin’ As to the Lifetime Achievement Award, I have to say that I was lucky So that finally, well, it was disgustin! enough to be in the right place, at the right time, with the right skills, the So I drew inspiration right wife to support and encourage me, the right people in our section, and From Tom and Deb’s perspiration the strength to fight for equal rights for our LGBT community. Our section Got workin’ for our collection, has enabled me to make a difference, something I know we all want, and Named co-chair at our next election. many of us have accomplished through this massive cultural upheaval. The bar association gave us this direction: When we think back to the start of gay pride—Stonewall, when a bunch Stay away from the creation of women in Birkenstocks and men in heels took the fight into the streets on of an equality solicitation. But we couldn’t be dissuaded June 28, 1969—I doubt that anyone would have believed that in 45 years Or else we’d be degraded. our country and much of the world would be turned on their heels to recog- nize LGBT civil rights as human rights. Tom and I went to the General Council convention I stand here like those before me who have been given this LGBT Life- And, despite some really hot dissention time Achievement Award—Bill Singer, Deb Guston, and Danny Weiss—and They let us make our plea. I glory in what we and our section have accomplished. I look out at the new How Tom did that, he never really mentioned. And the vote said the people do AGREE. leaders of our section and know that we are in excellent hands, and the We almost won. It was oh so close fight against bullying in our schools, and for transgender equality, homeless It raised an important question. youth, senior housing and so many other issues will still go on. What was the bar’s objection? Why not an intervention? This section has accomplished so much, and there is yet so much to At least for equal rights, though continue to do. We are the beacon of vigilance, and our section has taken ‘marriage’ was dissed and not mentioned. the lead since its inception, and must continue to do so. Danny jumped into the fray We are not just about social networking—we have fought and won on Kept those naysayers at bay, so many levels, but there are still so many more fights—our section as the An amicus brief was approved leader in LGBT rights can never become complacent. By the NJSBA I hope you are all enjoying this Hawaiian luau, but there is a double When Lewis v. Harris meaning in the choice of a luau for the awards dinner. Hawaii was the first First came to the Court Go to New Jersey State Bar Association Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Rights Section 3 Index place where freedom to marry won in the courts, and achieved full marriage Equal rights was the only thing the bar association would support. equality in 1996. But that ruling was stayed pending appeal. Hawaii then Civil union or marriage position, passed a constitutional amendment in 1998 to deny marriage to same-sex Either met the state bar’s mission. couples. It was not until 2013 that the Hawaiian Legislature passed the As lead counsel on the brief, I was held to the bar’s belief. Marriage Equality Act, legalizing marriage between same-sex couples.