IIT Chicago-Kent Lambdas to host first annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Civil Rights Conference

Illinois civil unions, the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" prohibition on gays serving openly in the military, and bullying of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students are among the topics to be discussed at the first annual LGBT Civil Rights Conference March 5 at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 West Adams (between Clinton and Jefferson streets) in Chicago. The conference is hosted by Chicago-Kent Lambdas, an organization of gay and straight law students "dedicated to the promotion of the equality and justice for LGBT people in the community."

"This conference will cover many of the LGBT rights issues currently in the media. In addition, seminars will introduce practitioners and students to different and emerging topics in LGBT law," said third-year student William Lopez, co-president of the Lambdas.

Workshops will explore "How to Litigate an LGBT Civil Rights Case in Illinois," "Transgender Rights," and "Elder Law and the LGBT Community." Speakers will discuss the similarities between same-sex marriage bans and interracial marriage bans, criminalization of LGBT persons in the U.S., and politics and LGBT rights.

"These legal seminars, coupled with a focus on celebrating the community's contributions to the humanities and arts, make the Chicago-Kent Lambdas' LGBT Civil Rights Conference a unique and necessary event for any person interested in equality," added Lopez.

On the night prior to the conference, activist Art Johnston, owner of Sidetrack and a co-founder of Equality Illinois, will deliver the keynote address at an opening cocktail reception at 6 p.m. at the Matthew Lew Gallery, 415 N. Sangamon St. in Chicago. The reception, which will also focus on LGBT history, is sponsored by Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP Chicago.

An exhibit showcasing work by local LGBT artists will be displayed in the Lewis Collens Atrium at Chicago-Kent on Saturday. Clark Hill PLC will host a luncheon reception. A cocktail reception sponsored by Goldberg Weisman Cairo will close the conference.

There is no cost to attend the conference, but space is limited and registration is required. CLE credit may be available. For more information, visit https://cklambdas.com/conference/ or contact William Lopez at contact@cklambdas.com or (407) 456-1705.