American Bar
Association Adds LGBT Commission

The newly created American Bar Association Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity will work to eliminate bias and discrimination against LGBT attorneys, justices, and figures in the judicial system, according to a statement released by the commission Friday.

ABA president William H. Neukom said that the organization's commitment to equality is reflected in its opposing public discrimination that is based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Neukom said that in February 2007 the ABA added LGBT people to its Goal IX, adopted in 1991, which promotes full and equal participation in the legal profession by minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.

"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.

Members are Pamela C. Enslen of Kalamazoo, Mich.; Courtney G. Joslin of Davis, Calif.; Jeffrey E. M. Joyner, Patrick McGlone, David Remes, Paul M. Smith, and Melvin White, all of Washington, D.C.; E. John Krumholtz of Arlington, Va.; Jennifer Levi of Easthampton, Mass.; Shannon Minter and Therese M. Stewart, both of San Francisco; and Abby R. Rubenfeld of Nashville. Mark D. Agrast of Washington, D.C., a past member of the ABA board of governors and past chair of the ABA Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities, is a special adviser to the commission.

The ABA has more than 413,000 members, making it the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world. (The Advocate)