What's New
SOGIC Hero and Ally AwardsThe Sexual Orientation Gender Identity Conference (SOGIC) seeks nominations for this year’s Hero and Ally Awards.
The SOGIC awards are designed to recognize excellence within the Canadian legal profession in advancing the cause of equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and two-spirited (LGBT) people. Recognizing SOGIC's fundamental commitment to gender equality, the awards are given on the basis of one award to female and the other to a male. For these purposes, transgendered and two-spirited persons will be attributed the gender identity of their choice.
This year, the Hero Award rotates to a female recipient and the Ally Award to a male recipient.
Nominations for this year’s Hero and Ally Awards close April 30, 2008. Nominations should include a covering letter, the curriculum vitae of the nominee and consent from the nominee in written form.
Full award details and past recipients can be found on the SOGIC webpage at http://www.cba.org/CBA/Awards/SOGIC%5Fawards/.
Awards will be presented on August 19th at the Touchstone Reception as part of the 2008 Canadian Bar Association Canadian Legal Conference and Expo in Québec City.
El-Farouk Khaki honoured with 2007 CBA SOGIC Hero Award
Tamara Kronis honoured with 2007 CBA SOGIC Ally Award
Assisted Human Reproduction RegulationsThe CBA recently responded to proposed regulations under the Assisted Human Reproduction Act (AHRA) dealing with the reimbursement of expenses. The AHRA prohibits prospective parents from paying surrogates for the service they provide, but does allow parents to reimburse for the surrogate's reasonable expenses during the pregnancy.
The principles of the AHRA give priority to the health and well-being of children born through assisted reproductive technologies and emphasize that human reproductive capacities should not be exploited for commercial ends. The Act also sets out that persons who undergo assisted reproduction procedures must not be discriminated against on the basis of orientation or marital status.
The CBA says that proposed regulations under the Assisted Human Reproduction Act will impact those people more likely to access technologies, namely those who are single, gay or lesbian. The CBA argues that regulations under the AHRA should be broad enough to not further detrimentally impact the availability of surrogates or gamete donors. This will help to ensure that the benefits of assisted reproduction procedures are available to all Canadians who seek reproductive assistance.
Submission
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Continuing Legal Education
Meetings
- Conference meeting August 2008 (CBA Canadian Legal Conference)
- SOGIC is planning further efforts to increase membership, focusing on recruitment campaigns in Saskatchewan and Quebec.
- Ongoing activities include continued development of the website, Triangle, and awards.
Mandate
SOGIC was established as a new Conference of the Canadian Bar Association at the 1997 Mid-Winter Meeting. Its purposes are to:
- address the needs and concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and two-spirited members within the Association
- provide a forum for the exchange of information, ideas and action on legal issues relating to sexual orientation and gender identity
- encourage lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and two-spirited lawyers to actively participate in the work of the Association
- develop and provide continuing legal education and other professional development programs on legal issues relating to sexual orientation and gender identity
- develop member services relevant to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and two-spirited members of the Association
SOGIC is a founding member of the International Lesbian and Gay Law Association and has established contacts with lesbian and gay law groups in the United States, the United Kingdom and Israel, among others. SOGIC members frequently attend the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association's "Lavender Law" conferences. The NLGLA is affiliated with the American Bar Association.
For more information on SOGIC, contact Corinna Robitaille, Staff Liaison, at the CBA's National Office (1-800-267-8860, ext. 133; Corinna Robitaille).
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