The LGBT Alliance’s Busy Fall

The Alliance (LGBT Students and Allies) is one of our most active student groups. Below is a report on some interesting activities this fall.  The first is from Kim Ahern (’09).

“In early September, six Alliance members traveled to Chicago for the Lavender Law Conference, which brings together LGBT students and lawyers from around the country.  We were joined by representatives from 140 law firms recruiting students, and besides interviewing and networking, we sat in on fascinating panels on topics ranging from same-sex marriage to pension funds and estate planning.  We heard from experts like Paul Smith, who successfully argued Lawrence v. Texas, and William Eskridge, a top scholar of LGBT jurisprudence. 

This trip energized our planning for a symposium we are organizing this spring, “The Culture of Same Sex Marriage in New England.” Lavender Law was a great experience and the Alliance members could make the trip because of financial support from the Dean’s office and the Student Bar Association.”

Here is a report from Phil Robinson (’09).

“Thanks to the efforts Nicole Dulude (’06), who is clerking for Chief Justice Frank Williams, I was one of two Alliance members (along with Professors Sack and Cahill), sitting in the front row for oral arguments in Chambers v. Ormiston, where the Rhode Island Supreme Court considered whether the Family Court has jurisdiction to grant a divorce arising out of a same-sex marriage performed in Massachusetts.  The Court had requested Amicus Briefs from a number of advocacy groups on the issue of whether the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the full faith and credit clause of the U.S. Constitution were applicable.  The courtroom was packed and there was overflow seating in the hallways.

Initially I was surprised that both parties were in favor of granting jurisdiction to the Family Court.  Upon reflection it was clear why: both parties to a divorce (where the merits were going to be uncontested) want there to be jurisdiction in local courts.  Questioning was fairly light by the justices and the argument quickly focused on the constitutional principle of comity, whereby marriages performed in other states must be recognized in Rhode Island courts.  When a justice asked about the applicability of DOMA, counsel agreed that because Rhode Island had passed no legislation banning same-sex marriage, the federal law was inapplicable.  Click here for press coverage of the arguments.

It was a great experience to be in the courtroom for a momentous argument in Rhode Island legal history.  The Court’s decision is expected in about six weeks and I predict that the Court recognizes jurisdiction for this divorce.”

Finally, a report from Tom Anderhalt (’09).

“On October 11, the Alliance celebrated National Coming Out Day, kicked off by a breakfast for students, faculty, staff, and the deans.  Coming out is such an important step in the life of a LGBT individual, we like kicking off the day with a breakfast to underscore how unified we are and to increase the visibility of the LGBT community inside the law school.  In addition, we hope the event triggers conversations not just among Alliance members but also throughout the school.

The Alliance decorated the building with balloons, posters, and pamphlets provided by the Human Rights Campaign.

We broke bread together (literally—bagels, muffins, and Danish), enjoyed coffee and conversation before we set off for our day of classes and meetings, glad to see that dozens of our friends were proudly wearing the distinctive HRC decal.”