ABOUT US

The section is open to all lawyers who have an interest in laws that pertain to gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered identified persons, as well as persons living with HIV.

Whether your interest is related to specific client needs (from individual rights to businesses seeking resources for their diversity programs) or general information, the LGBT Law Section can provide you with excellent resources through our continuing education programs, case law updates, and listserve.

The purpose of the Section is to:

• promote the study of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and HIV law;
  
  
• study and report on laws, decisions and governmental regulations as they may affect the rights, responsibilities and the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgendered identified people, as well as persons who are living with HIV; 
  
  
• provide a common meeting ground and forum for members of the profession interested in the legal problems of people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered, as well as people who are living with HIV;
  
  
• study and report on laws, decisions and governmental regulations as they may affect the rights, responsibilities and the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgendered identified people, as well as persons who are living with HIV; and
  
  
• take action regarding these matters, subject to these bylaws and the laws, rules, and regulations of the State of Texas

History: (view pdf)

The Section was first proposed as the Gay and Lesbian Law Section and was voted down by the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas Board in April 1997.

The Section was next proposed as the more inclusive Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification Issues Section and was provisionally approved by the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas Board in April 1998.

The Section completed its provisional status and was finally approved by the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas Board in April 2000.

In 2010, the Section changed its name to the LGBT Law Section.  The term "LGBT" is now part of the mainstream vernacular when it was not when the Section was founded.  The Council of Chairs' Executive Committee, the Council of Chairs, the Board of Directors' Executive Committee, and the Board of Directors all unanimously voted to approve the name change.  The name change took effect on June 11, 2010 by the unanimous vote of the Section members at its annual meeting in Fort Worth, Texas.