{"id":167,"date":"2021-03-07T17:21:56","date_gmt":"2021-03-07T21:21:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/diversityandinclusion\/?p=167"},"modified":"2024-06-14T11:19:06","modified_gmt":"2024-06-14T15:19:06","slug":"why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/diversityandinclusion\/2021\/03\/07\/why\/","title":{"rendered":"Why?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>By David E. Watson<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

That was my first reaction when Ed Cramp mentioned he wanted to start a firm wide LGBTQ affinity group.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no overt discrimination at the firm.\u00a0 The fact that anyone might be LGBTQ seemed to be completely irrelevant here.\u00a0 So why bother? \u00a0Plus, I wanted to be known as a lawyer, not a gay lawyer.<\/p>\n

And the major challenges and issues facing LGBTQ folks at the state and local level seemed handled well enough.\u00a0 Same sex marriage is legal.\u00a0 Being openly LGBTQ in the military is fine.\u00a0 And the sodomy laws were all struck down.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the problem we had to solve?<\/p>\n

Well, it turns out that as great as the civil rights and workplace advancements are \u2013 and they were hard fought victories — they remain tenuous and uncertain.\u00a0 In a dynamic and ever changing society, nothing is permanent.\u00a0 Obviously there is social and political backlash to every civil rights gain. The arc of history may bend toward justice, but there are lots of people working hard to keep the arc from bending at all.<\/p>\n

So as we watch the protests and counter protests . . . . The mobs and the politicians who support them\u00a0. . . . Suddenly it seems obvious that the journey is never over and the job is never done.\u00a0 For all the LGBTQ advances in the law, the cities and the enlightened employers, there is counter movement and effort.\u00a0\u00a0 Eternal vigilance and effort is needed.\u00a0 Geez, more work to be done.<\/p>\n

Though there are many successful out and proud LGBTQ partners and associates, there are others still wondering how safe, secure and confident they can be, either at work or in society at large.<\/p>\n

So perhaps those of us who have long been in the figurative LGBTQ trenches and pride ourselves on a job well done should realize the job is not over.\u00a0 And maybe we have a duty to continue our work, telling our stories, educating our colleagues and supporting and encouraging those younger and still wondering how it all works.<\/p>\n

So\u00a0 — \u00a0DM Pride.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By David E. Watson That was my first reaction when Ed Cramp mentioned he wanted to start a firm wide LGBTQ affinity group. There\u2019s no overt discrimination at the firm.\u00a0 The fact that anyone might be LGBTQ seemed to be completely irrelevant here.\u00a0 So why bother? \u00a0Plus, I wanted to be known as a lawyer, … <\/p>\n

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