Message from the Chair and Section opportunities

Dear Section Members,

The CBA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Community Section (SOGIC) is the only national organization specifically supporting LGBTQ2SI lawyers and issues of importance to the LGBTQ2SI community. We contribute to national policy, advocate for robust human rights protections, and respond to legislative initiatives. Check out our Section website to find out who’s on the 2017-2018 Executive, and access the latest resources, submissions, news and articles.

In the past year, among other activities, we have:

• made submissions with the Criminal Justice Section in respect of Correctional Service Canada’s Trans Inmates Policy;
• contributed to the Immigration Law Section’s submissions on the Canadian Border Services Agency’s New National Immigration Detention Framework; and
• co-presented a professional development session on LGBTQ2SI issues in elder care with the Elder Law Section.

We would love to hear from you about professional development programming and advocacy ideas. We are specifically seeking individuals who are interested in contributing to our law reform work. We need your help to prepare submissions and programs that reflect the full range of member perspectives. We value diversity and encourage young lawyers and members from a variety of practice settings, including in-house counsel, to participate.

You need not be a human rights lawyer or have direct experience working on LGBTQ2SI issues to participate. First and foremost, we are about building community. Please contact us if you would like to get involved or have suggestions.

Francis (Frank) P. Durnford
Chair, CBA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Section