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In This Issue:
Gay Rights: How Are We Doing?
AALL Nominations
Meet Me in San Francisco?
Letter from the Chair
Memorial: Alan Holoch
Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund Invites You To Get Involved
Job Opening
Upcoming Events
Current Gay/Lesbian Legal News
Gay Rights: How Are We Doing?
Keeping with the theme of the 1998 AALL Annual Meeting "New Horizons", the Standing Committee will be presenting a program on Tuesday, July 14th entitled EACH JURISDICTION HAS ITS OWN HORIZON: GAY RIGHTS IS A LOCAL ISSUE. The civil rights of gay people in the United States are not protected by federal laws. It's usually at the state, county or city level where laws are enacted that either protect or deny our rights. The goals of this program are to bring you up-to-date on the current state of gay rights across the U.S. and to give you useful information on how to locate laws on the local level.
We are honored to have Jennifer Pizer, Esq. as the speaker who will be addressing the topic of where gay rights stand today. Jenny is presently the Managing Attorney of Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund’s Western Regional Office in Los Angeles. Prior to coming to Lambda, Jenny, who is a graduate of Harvard/Radcliffe College and New York University School of Law, spent five years practicing complex civil litigation for the San Francisco law firm of Townsend and Townsend and Crew. Before entering private practice, Jenny served as the Legal Director of the National Abortion Rights Action League in Washington, D.C., and as judicial clerk to the Honorable Ann Aldrich, a federal trial court judge. Currently, Jenny is an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California Law School, and a member of the State Bar of California’s Committee on Sexual Orientation Discrimination.
John Davey will be moderating the panel and Todd Bennett will address the challenges of finding local laws. Please plan to attend this program which will be very rich with information that will be useful to everyone on both a professional and personal level.
Do you have any special tips for locating local laws? If so, please contact Todd Bennett, or bring them to the program to share with the group during the question and answer portion of the program.
submitted by Todd Bennett
>>>> Back to Top <<<< AALL Nominations
AALL wants us to identify potential candidates for the 1999 slate of Vice-President/President elect, Secretary and two Executive Board Members. All SISs are asked to participate.
Suggestions are requested by March 13, 1998. Please let me know if you have any names for Gail Warren, chair of the Nominations Committee. Thanks!
Bruce Kleinschmidt
Chair, Social Responsibilities SIS of the AALL
Indiana Univ. School of Law Library--Indianapolis
317-274-1929 (voice)
317-274-8825 (fax)
bkleinsc@iupui.edu
http://www.iulaw.indy.indiana.edu/people/kleinsch.htm>>>> Back to Top <<<< Meet Me in San Francisco?
For all those who are interested, several members of the Standing Committee are planning a social weekend in San Francisco AFTER the Convention in Anaheim.
This will just be fun time and a chance to get to know each other better. Also, a chance to see San Francisco! So get ready to open those Golden Gates!!!!!!!!
Contact John Davey at: (212) 698-3515 or E-mail: jdavey@dechert.com for more info.
>>>> Back to Top <<<< Letter from the Chair
Even though it has been a pretty dreary and wet winter, a lot of things have been happening with the Standing Committee so far this year. Of course, you can all see our new newsletter that you are reading now. I hope that this will continue as a regular line of communication in the Standing Committee for years to come. I would like to ask anyone who is interested, to please submit articles or editorials as you like. This can also provide as a place for job postings or inquiries of all kinds, so please feel free to submit. I also want to thank our newsletter editor, Laura Whitbeck, for doing such an outstanding job.
As you know, one of the biggest tasks that I wanted to accomplish this year as chair, was to make a firm decision on what to do with the Holoch bequest money. To refresh anyone’s memory on this topic or to inform those who aren’t aware or are new to the situation, Alan Holoch was a librarian and member of the Standing Committee who died in 1991 leaving the Committee a sum of $10,000. The money was kept by AALL since that time and was only 3 years ago put into a money market fund thanks to Stuart Zimmerman and Steve Ligda (AALL Director of Finance). Since that time, the money has accumulated around $1,100 and earns an annual amount of approximately $400-$500. At last year’s business meeting in Baltimore, a subcommittee was formed comprised of a few of the former Chairs of the Standing Committee to finally find a means for the money. The Committee is myself, Mark Mackler, Camille Broussard, Carol Alpert and Alison Alifano. I have polled the committee on different options on which to vote upon for the money. I can report to you that the subcommittee unanimously agreed to use ONLY the interest of the money for purposes which we will vote upon in this issue. In this way, we can perpetuate the memory of Alan Holoch. This issue, for the most part, is a tribute to Alan. I hope that you all will reflect upon him and his service to this organization before you vote on the path in which we will use the money. Therefore, I have asked Lolly Gasaway’s permission in reprinting her Memorial to Alan from the Summer 1991 issue of Law Library Journal to reiterate information on Alan's role in the Association. The subcommittee has made your task very easy. We have narrowed the field down to two choices for you; merely vote on 1) Scholarships or 2) Programs and Institutes. What could be easier? In either way, Alan's donation will be remembered for years to come and you will have had the opportunity to take part in this decision.
The second thing that you will be asked to vote upon is an amendment to the Standing Committee By-laws regarding obligatory membership in the SIS on Social Responsibilities by the payment of Annual dues. This is a minimal fee of $12.00 per year. The main purpose for this amendment is to offset costs that the Standing Committee incurs during the year for postage, supplies, etc. Also, this is to encourage members of the Standing Committee to become involved in the umbrella group that we have agreed to govern us. As discussed in the previous issue, if we do not want to be involved with them, then perhaps we should become our own SIS. Therefore, I am promoting the obligatory membership in Social Responsibilities. Please think about this seriously before you make your decision on the ballot.
If you haven't noticed, the webpage for the SIS on Social Responsibilities and the Standing Committee has not been updated in some time. We will be trying to clean this up in the next few months. Frosty Owen has graciously offered to help us in updating and improving the webpage in his free time. He will be working with myself and Prano Amjadi in utilizing a new software kit in this area. If anyone else in the Standing Committee has expertise in this area, please contact myself or Frosty and will be glad to hear any ideas or theorems in helping us develop this site.
I have been trying to locate vendor support for functions or advertising in our newsletter in order to generate revenue for the Standing Committee. Many vendors tend to shun us because of the mention of Gay or Lesbian in the title. Most times, I don’t even get the courtesy of a return phone call. It is hard to believe that there is still prejudice in the business world in the ‘90’s. Haven’t we gotten past all of that yet? I am still looking for Publishers that deal with gay legal publications that might be of some aid. If anyone can suggest organizations that might be likely candidates, please let me know or try to make the connection on our behalf. As in all business ventures, networking or word of mouth saves more time in the long run. I am not giving up yet!
As you read in the lead article from the last issue, Carol Alpert has investigated for us the lack of acknowledgment of Lesbian and Gays in the Diversity Committee. For some reason, they do not consider us diverse enough (I suppose) and are only racially inclusive. We are looking for a liaison for the Standing Committee to serve as a volunteer on the Board of the Diversity Committee. If interested, please contact myself or Carol Alpert. We are all minorities in the public eye and this is an important discrimination issue that should not be permitted to exist in the Association. We are all in this together, right? Let’s make sure that our voice is heard.
I am still looking for a volunteer to help with distributing information about the Standing Committee at CONELL. Let me know if you will be in Anaheim during that time and can help us recruit.
I hope that all of you will be able to be in Anaheim this summer to take part in the business meeting, support the upcoming program which is discussed by Todd Bennett in this issue and to take part in the Reception which will be held in the Presidential Suite this year. More information on this will be included in the issue prior to the Convention. Mark you calendars for July 12th from 6-8 p.m. for the reception. There will be an informal dinner arrangement afterwards for those who want to go and spring for a nice meal.
As always, health and happiness to everyone. Feel free to call me at any time with any thoughts you might have for the Standing Committee, or to just chat!
John H. Davey
>>>> Back to Top <<<< MEMORIAL: ALAN HOLOCH
83 Law Library Journal 597
Summer 1991
by Laura N. GasawayAlan Holoch was an outstanding law librarian who loved his chosen profession and was an active supporter of law librarianship. I first met Alan in 1973 in Seattle, at an institute sponsored by the American Association of Law Libraries. Through the Association, we became not only professional colleagues but close friends. Alan was a ready listener and advisor on matters both professional and personal. Over the years, our discussions covered a wide variety of issues in law librarianship and AALL. His insights and advice often helped me and others to become better law librarians. Alan’s sense of humor was legendary, and his presence enlivened many long meetings.
A native of Farmer City, Illinois, Alan received a B.A. from Washington University in 1969. He told wonderful stories about trying to get his farmer father to understand why anyone needed to major in French. Alan’s library degree was from the University of Southern California in 1971. After graduation, he worked for four years in the USC Law Library in various professional positions, primarily in technical services, which culminated in an appointment as Head of Technical Services. He resigned his full-time position in 1975 to attend law school at USC and continued to work part-time in the law library. From 1978 to 1982, Alan was Associate Director at USC where, in addition to general administrative duties, he was directly responsible for managing the public services department. In 1982, he became Director of the Law Library at Villanova University and was responsible for all phases of library operations. He also taught legal research and advanced legal research. In 1987, he became Director at Ohio State University, where he expanded the staff and placed renewed emphasis on service to students and faculty. Alan's lasting contribution to Ohio state is the planning and design of the 92,000-square-foot addition to the building, one-half of which will be library space. Dean Francis X. Beytagh has announced that the library administrative wing of the new addition will be named in Alan’s memory when it is dedicated in 1992.
Alan was very active in his profession, and he served AALL in many leadership capacities. Alan chaired the Education Committee from 1983 to 1985 and was president of the Southern California Chapter in 1980-81. In 1986, he was program chair for the Washington, D.C., convention. The high-quality programs, huge crowd of attendees, and well-organized and orchestrated events are lasting tributes to Alan's skills as a program planner and manager. He served as Treasurer of AALL from 1986 to 1989. His contributions as Treasurer were to simplify the AALL budgeting process, develop standard terminology for explaining the budget to the Executive Board, improve budget reports, and unify many of AALL's accounts to ensure higher interest and lower management fees. He also introduced the now-famous budget pie charts at the annual business meeting. To those of us who served with Alan on the Executive Board, he provided not only knowledge and great ability, but humor, kindness, and unfailing good cheer. His support during my term as AALL President made the year an enjoyable one.
Alan's friends and colleagues gathered in Columbus, Ohio, on February 22, 1991, to remember him at a lovely memorial service in the reading room of the Law Library. The occasion was a happy event, as Alan wished it to be, with warm remembrances of shared laughter and fun times. Although his accomplishments were many, his personal traits are what made Alan so special. His sunny personality and kindness to all hallmarked both his professional and personal life. Alan’s charm and wit will long be remembered and treasured by those whose lives he touched.
A fund to support and encourage staff development has been established in his memory at the Ohio State University Law Library. To contribute to the fund in his memory, send donations to: The Alan Holoch Memorial Fund, Law Library, Ohio State University, 59 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43201-1391.
>>>> Back to Top <<<< Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund Invites You To Get Involved
In 1998, Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund celebrates 25 years of test-case litigation to secure equality under law for lesbians, gay men and people living with HIV/AIDS. Lambda's work empowers all members of our community to assert their rights, while helping to shape a society that is safe and just.
From its first lawsuit in 1972 (against the State of New York for the right to incorporate), to the country's first AIDS discrimination case in 1983, to the recent, ground-breaking victories against Colorado's Amendment 2, against anti-gay violence in public schools, against the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" military policy, and for the freedom of lesbian and gay couples to marry, Lambda has grown from a tiny band of volunteers based in a New York City apartment to a staff that includes 14 full-time lawyers supported by offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Atlanta. Whether fighting national insurance companies, the U.S. Department of Justice or the Boy Scouts, Lambda is bringing its mission into courtrooms and to legislatures, to the airwaves and into living rooms -- nationwide.
If you have never gotten involved in this work before, now is the moment to join in. Much of our core work -- from legal research (!), to brief writing, to preparation of publications -- is accomplished with the aid of the talented and committed volunteers who stand ready to take on projects of whatever duration and complexity their lives and schedules permit, as we need help.
Whether you care about securing the freedom to marry, or eradicating sodomy laws, or challenging discrimination in the workplace, we want you as part of our team. Lambda now has offices in New York, Chicago, Atlanta and my office in Los Angeles. Wherever you are, there is a way to become involved. This is the time to seize the opportunities that are opening all around us. Your legal skills can make a difference. Please call Lambda and become a part of the struggle for equal justice under law for us all.
Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund Offices:
New York (National Headquarters): 212/809-8585, ask for Jennifer Hoffman, ext. 334.
Atlanta: 404/897-1880, Alan Dowell, ext. 22.
Chicago: 312/663-4307, RoiAnn Phillips, ext.27.
Los Angeles: 213/937-2728, Nancy Perez at ext. 224.>>>> Back to Top <<<< Job Opening
The University of Cincinnati College of Law seeks an innovative library and technology director with demonstrated leadership ability in the field of library and information science, significant administrative expertise, and extensive experience in the management of information technology. The director should have a strong commitment to user services and a well-articulated vision of the library as an essential component of teaching and research within the College. The director is responsible for technology for the entire College and serves as a member of the College of Law administrative team as well as the university-wide Library Policy and Planning Committee.
The College of Law has 400 students and 25 faculty members and is part of a Research I institution of higher learning with 35,000 students and 2,000 faculty members. The library has five professional librarians, nine support staff and is the home of the Center for Electronic Text in the Law. As a member of the statewide college library consortium, OhioLINK, the law library shares collections and benefits from a growing number of electronic resources that are centrally owned.
Required: A Master's degree in Library or Information Science from an ALA-accredited program; a law degree from an ABA accredited school or equivalent background; minimum five years of administrative and supervisory experience in academic law libraries; excellent communication skills; and demonstrated commitment to the advancement of information technology.
To apply, send a cover letter and resume, including the names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three references to: Chair, Librarian Search Committee, University of Cincinnati College of Law, PO Box 210040, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0040. The Committee will begin reviewing resumes on February 15, 1998, and will continue accepting applications until the position is filled. The University of Cincinnati has a commitment to diversity in its faculty, librarians, administrative staff, and student body and is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.
College of Law Web Site: http://www.law.uc.edu
Cynthia Aninao, Acquisitions Librarian
University of Cincinnati Law Library
cynthia.aninao@law.uc.edu
513-556-0156, Fax 513-556-6265>>>> Back to Top <<<< Upcoming Events
by Mary Burgos, Columbia University, New York23rd National Conference on Women and the Law
San Francisco, CA
March 19-22, 1998.
For further details see: http://www.womlaw.org/ or contact: 23rd National Conference on Women and the Law Headquarters Golden Gate University School of Law, 536 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105.
phone: (510) 597-0570
e-mail: womlaw@ggu.eduInternational Conference on Gender, Sexuality and Law "Reflections: New Directions
Keele University, United Kindom
June 19-21, 1998
For further details see:
http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/la/GSL98.htm or contact: Carl Stychin or Didi Herman at GSL98@keele.ac.uk
GSL98 Conference, Keele University, Department of Law, Staffs ST5 5BG, United Kingdom
(tel) 01782-523218
(fax) 01782-5832281st World Conference on Gay & Lesbian Culture
Stockholm, Sweden
July 20-23, 1998
For further details see:
http://hem.passagen.se/tupilak/worldconference.html
or contact:
World Conference (Tupilak), Box: 23 15, S-103 17 Stockholm, Sweden
(tel): 46-8-84 94 19
(fax): 46-8-18 22 72The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute
11th Annual Creating Change Conference
Pittsburgh, PA
November 11-15, 1998
for further details see: http://www.ngltf.org/cc97/
or contact: The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009-2702
(tel) 202-332-6483
(fax) 202-332-0207
(TTY) 202-332-6219>>>> Back to Top <<<< Current Gay/Lesbian Legal News
Reprinted from Lesbian/Gay Law Notes
Two gay men arrested for hugging each other in a public park in Colorado Springs got the last laugh on the vice squad when the city agreed to pay them $10,000 to settle their $1.1 million civil rights lawsuit. Michael Mahair and Dwayne Arellano alleged that a police officer tried to entrap them by soliciting sex in the park and then arrested them for hugging each other in public. No PDA's in Colorado Springs?
Rocky Mountain News, Dec. 20
Successful Settlement of N.J. Adoption Suit
Following up on the Oct. 22 decision by New Jersey Superior Court Judge Sybil Moses allowing Michael Gallucio and Jon Holden to jointly adopt their foster son Adam, New Jersey's State Home Services Department has agreed to settle the class-action portion of their lawsuit by adopting a formal policy that will grant equal treatment to unmarried couples, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, in the state's adoption process.
The settlement in Holden v. N.J. Dept. of Human Services, negotiated by ACLU Lesbian and Gay Rights Project staff attorney Michael Adams on behalf of an organization of approximately 200 New Jersey lesbian and gay families, marks the first time that a state child welfare agency has adopted a formal policy authorizing same-sex couples to adopt children in the same manner that married couples adopt. As such, it drew widespread media attention, including predictions of a possible legislative backlash in some parts of the country (similar to the legislative backlash to the Hawaii Supreme Court's 1993 decision on same-sex marriage). Many of the news reports made clear that same-sex couples in several states have been obtaining joint adoptions through individual court actions, although two state supreme courts have ruled against the practice and two other states statutorily bar gays from adopting children.
The new policy will embodied in a settlement agreement approved by the court, and presumably will become part of the agency's published operating procedures.
by Arthur S. Leonard
Comments to: Rebecca Alexander
Last updated 8 June 2000