Press Releases

RI CHILD ADVOCATE ANNOUNCES FREE CONTINUING LEGAL
EDUCATION SEMINAR FOR ATTORNEYS HANDLING MATTERS INVOLVING GBLTQQ YOUTH

June 8, 2006

Providence, RI. . . .“ Rhode Island’s youth are vulnerable and when they are gay, lesbian,
bisexual, transgender or questioning their sexual orientation, they are often at a higher
risk,” stated Rhode Island Child Advocate Jametta O. Alston  in announcing today that the Office of Child Advocate has partnered with the Rhode Island Bar Association’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Issues and the Law Committee  and the Thurgood Marshall Law Society to sponsor a free continuing legal education seminar on Thursday, June 8, 2006 in Providence to train attorneys to be sensitive to the issues faced by GBLTQQ  youth and to explore what legal protections are available to such youth navigating the juvenile justice system.  The seminar will be held from 1:30 P.M. to 4 P.M. at the Rhode Department of Administration Building in Conference Room A1.  Attorneys attending the seminar will earn two (2) continuing legal education credits.   

Ms. Alston explained, “By the time members of this segment of the youth population encounter the Family Court system they have more than likely experienced  discrimination and  been victimized because of their identity expression.   Too often, lawyers involved in the GBLTQQ youth’s case have no idea of the resources available to assist such youth and they are unaware of the youth’s need and right for safe and appropriate placement.”  According to the Child Advocate, attorneys who register and attend the seminar will receive extensive written materials to assist them in representing the LGBTQQ youth.

The faculty for the seminar include Karen Loewy, Esq., a staff attorney at Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (“GLAD”), New England’s leading civil rights organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status and gender identity and expression; and Michele Duso, M.S.W.,  the executive director of Youth Pride, Inc.,  Rhode Island’s only statewide nonprofit agency with programming dedicated to meet the educational and social needs of youth and young adults impacted by sexual orientation and gender/identity expression.  In addition, The Honorable Laureen D’Ambra, Associate Judge, Rhode Island Family Court will make introductory remarks at the seminar.  Attorneys interested in registering to attend the seminar should call Barbara Margolis at (401) 222-3270 or email Bmargolis@courts.ri.gov .