Joslin Appointed to ABA Commission

Professor Courtney Joslin has been appointed to the newly created American Bar Association (ABA) Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.  The Commission will work to eliminate bias and discrimination against persons of differing sexual orientations and gender identities in the legal profession, the justice system, and society.

"The ABA's commitment to equality of opportunity is reflected in many policies opposing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in many contexts, including employment, housing, public accommodations, legal education, and child custody, adoption and foster care decisions," said ABA President William H. Neukom of Seattle. "Although much progress has been made to reduce bias in this area, numerous studies demonstrate that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people continue to face pervasive discrimination within the legal profession, as they do in many other walks of life."

Neukom noted that last February the association amended its Goal IX, which was adopted in 1991 and promotes full and equal participation in the legal profession by minorities, women, and persons with disabilities, to include persons of differing sexual orientations and gender identities. He said the new commission will be the vehicle to implement the amendment.

"The commission's creation recognizes that diversity in the legal profession is beneficial for all lawyers, just as it is in the larger community," said Jeffrey G. Gibson of San Francisco, appointed to chair the new commission.

Professor Joslin's areas of interest include family and relationship recognition, particularly focusing on same-sex and nonmarital couples.

Press Release/November 9, 2007