The Quinnipiac University School of Law and the Connecticut Bar Foundation will present the symposium “Queer Families: Past, Present, and Promise” from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Friday, June 24.
This program will explore the history and development of the rights of LGBTQ+ families, including parents and queer youth, in the United States and, specifically, in Connecticut. The panel will define the status quo in Connecticut, with a focus on the state’s new Parentage Act. In addition, speakers will identify the next frontier: areas that still need work for queer families to have true equality, and how Connecticut can avoid the anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment in other states.
The first panel will examine how queer families came to be, the road to recognition and protection, the legal challenges they have overcome, and issues they still face. Panelists will include Campbell Barrett of Pullman & Comley; Anne Stanback, founding executive director of Love Makes a Family; Victoria T. Ferrara, of the Ferrara Law Group; and Michelle Loris, professor and associate dean of curriculum and special projects at Sacred Heart University. Jennifer Brown, dean of Quinnipiac’s School of Law, will moderate the panel.
The second panel will focus on the present time and the current state of the law in Connecticut. It will include Patience “Polly” Crozier, senior staff attorney for GLAD; Professor Douglas NeJaime of Yale Law School and Beck Fineman of Ryan Ryan Deluca LLP. Leslie Jennings-Lax of Reich & Truax PLLC will serve as moderator.
The third panel will discuss the mounting challenges queer-identified families and family members are facing. It will include Michael Johnson, chief legal strategist for GLAD; Dr. Richard Stillson of Hartford Psychological Services; and Jennifer Lopez, consultant and mentor with Lived Experience. Professor Leslie Gabel-Brett of Wesleyan University will moderate.
The symposium, to be held in person and via Zoom, is free and open to the public. The in-person event will take place on Quinnipiac’s North Haven Campus, 370 Bassett Road. Click here for more information or to register.