The Latest News April 2019

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The Dread of Waiting for the Supreme Court to Rule on L.G.B.T. Rights

Posted On: April 29, 2019

Last Monday, the Supreme Court announced that it would hear three cases that seek to determine whether existing federal law bans workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity

Although marriage equality enables one to legally marry a partner of the same sex, it could get you fired - even denied housing. 

Federal courts have been divided on the question of whether Title VII bars discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Two of the cases that the Supreme Court plans to take up are cases of employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. 

As currently constituted, the Supreme Court appears likely to resolve the contradictions by ruling that the Civil Rights Act does not ban discrimination against L.G.B.T. people. 

This would be a tragic set back that could take years or possibly generations to undo.

Selected excerpt(s), photo and linked article courtesy of Masha Gessen, The New Yorker

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New Exhibit Commemorates 50 Years of Gay Rights Movement

Posted On: April 24, 2019

It’s hard to believe it’s been 50 years since Stonewall.  This is iconic for the LGBTQ community and will be a great pride celebration this year.  How wonderful that the Newseum in Washington has dedicated an exhibit to the LGBTQ rights movement that will run for the rest of the year.  Whether you were part of the movement or actively lived it, it's wonderful to see and hear about the entire history in context of all that was happing at the time.  I recently enjoyed a documentary on the LGBTQ rights movement and was surprised how much I learned.

Selected excerpt(s), linked article and photo courtesy of Julie Taboh, Arts & Culture, VOA News


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Raising An Intersex Child: 'This Is Your Body...There's Nothing To Be Ashamed Of'

Posted On: April 18, 2019

Intersex has occurred for generations, but most never knew that our trusted physicians would unilaterally make a decision for an infant and perform surgery (some would say mutilation) to assign a gender the doctor felt was best - all without consulting or advising the parents before the surgery was performed.  History has shown that the doctors' choice has, on most cases, not been good for the child.  Today more parents are being proactive and not letting doctors make that choice for their child.  It’s important that doctors be required to give parents the choice!

Selected excerpt(s), linked article and photo courtesy of Daniella Emanuel, CNN

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The Top 3 Reasons Couples Get Divorced, According To Experts

Posted On: April 12, 2019

Marriage is hard work.  How you handle arguments, growing apart with divergent interests, and the intense emotions of such a relationship will determine if yours succeeds or fails.

Despite the differences of individual couples, and notwithstanding an unhealthy and potentially irrevocably broken relationship, there are ways to navigate a divorce that yield a healthier outcome...and that is what Collaborative Divorce is all about.

The Collaborative Process helps couples navigate even the most contentious or bitter divorce to a healthier result after the divorce.

No Court Divorce:  Collaborative Divorce & Mediation - The Alternative to Litigation.

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Who I Am, What I Do & How I Can Help You

Posted On: April 09, 2019

Every so often I take the time to sit down and think about how I can better connect with my colleagues, clients (and potential clients).

The bio on my website is just part of the picture, it’s what I do.

You know I'm a trusted, compassionate and aggressive lawyer who has been practicing law for over 31 years in all types of areas including real estate, litigations, small wills, trusts and estates and collections.  I have represented the LGBT community for many years, and represented parties in litigated divorce as well as being trained for many years in the alternatives to litigation:  collaborative law and mediation of divorce.

Who I am, though, is the other part…the part that helped shape my thinking, my beliefs, and my passions.

From a young age I had a good mouthpiece and a knack for advocating for what was right and what I believed in, so it’s fitting that I found the law.  I absolutely love what I do as an attorney, advocating and working with my clients.  I have always been a people person and a good listener, so counseling is very much who I am at the core.

While the bio on my website will give you a strong idea of my history and experience, I wanted to delve a little deeper and share a few things that you might not know about me...

  • When I was a child, I wanted to be a gym teacher.
  • I’ve had a love of horses from a very young age.
  • I’ve enjoyed many a good game of golf over the years.
  • My original undergraduate degree was in social work.
  • Civil Rights and Civil Liberties were (and continue to be) a passion of mine.
  • I was part of the first gay Student Union for my University and spoke to classes about being gay.
  • In my post college years, at one point, I was part at least 5 different softball teams.
  • A devastating personal experience helped me seek out alternatives to divorce litigation, and since then I have been dedicated and committed to the processes of Mediation and Collaborative Law.
  • I have a great love of good food and good cooking.
  • My strong family traditions were instilled from both sides of my family.

I welcome the opportunity to meet with you.

Thank you.

Concetta

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