“Dark and difficult times lie ahead. Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy. But remember this, you have friends here. You’re not alone.” — Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film adaptation)
Though J.K. Rowling has proven herself to be an adversary to our community, the words from her fantasy world ring true in our reality. January 20, 2025, has indeed ushered in dark and difficult times, particularly for marginalized communities like the LGBTQ+ community. In these moments, we must fight for what is right—not only for ourselves but for our community and our country. Now more than ever, we must remember that we are stronger together, with an entire network of advocates working every day to protect and advance our rights.
In an effort to support the LGBTQ+ community, the LGBTQ+ Section of the Connecticut Bar Association has partnered with the Triangle Community Center in Norwalk to launch a free legal clinic specifically designed to serve LGBTQ+ individuals. While anyone—regardless of identity—is welcome to seek limited legal advice, it is imperative that our community knows this is a safe space to access legal assistance in an era when navigating complex legal systems is more crucial than ever.
To start, the legal clinic will operate once a month, on the third Thursday of each month, at the Triangle Community Center in Norwalk. The hope is to eventually expand the clinic to additional locations across the state and increase the number of available time slots. The first session of the LGBTQ+ Legal Clinic, held on February 20, 2025, saw a wave of clients seeking assistance with a range of legal matters, from housing discrimination claims to urgent immigration questions and LGBTQ+-specific concerns, such as completing second-parent adoption paperwork. Though there were, and will likely continue to be, legal issues beyond the scope of the clinic’s immediate services, every client received guidance on their next legal steps or was connected with a trusted attorney specializing in their area of need.
Through the Connecticut Bar Association’s extensive legal network, particularly within the LGBTQ+ Section, the clinic is able to provide referrals to either LGBTQ+ attorneys or strong ally attorneys who are willing to donate their time to consult with members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Beyond launching the free legal clinic, the LGBTQ+ Section of the Bar Association is actively tracking proposed bills in the Connecticut Legislature, preparing written and oral testimony to support pro-LGBTQ+ legislation while opposing the staggering number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in the state. Additionally, efforts are underway to amend a section of the Connecticut Rules of Practice to prevent the misgendering of attorneys and parties within the court system, ensuring that the justice system upholds the dignity and respect of all who come before it.
A key to enduring the foreseeable future—possibly the next four years or more—is education, both within our own community and among the broader straight, cisgender communities whose allyship is crucial in the fight against oppression, tyranny, and injustice. In these trying times, I encourage our community to hold onto every bit of joy and hope we can find and share. Know that there are, and will continue to be, legal professionals advocating for your rights, your existence, and your peace.
In the dark and difficult times that lie ahead, remember: You have a community here. You are not alone.
