Workshop: "LGBTQIA2S+ RIGHTS, RIGHT NOW!: EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER THE LAW"This critical panel, moderated by
D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb, brings together leading legal advocates to examine the current state of LGBTQIA2S+ legal protections and the urgent need for comprehensive civil rights enforcement. Featuring
Vikram Swaruup (Executive Director, Legal Aid DC),
Cynthia Weaver (Senior Director of Litigation, Human Rights Campaign Foundation), and
Coty Montag (Deputy Attorney General, Public Advocacy Division, OAG), this discussion explores how legal institutions can serve as both barriers to and pathways for achieving true equality under the law.
Panelists will address:
- Current threats to LGBTQIA2S+ legal protections and effective strategies for defensive litigation
- Innovative approaches to civil rights enforcement at federal, state, and local levels
- The intersection of LGBTQIA2S+ rights with housing, employment, healthcare, and consumer protection
- Collaborative models between government agencies and advocacy organizations in advancing equality
- Practical pathways for translating legal victories into lived improvements for LGBTQIA2S+ communities
This essential conversation features perspectives from direct service provision, strategic litigation, and government enforcement, demonstrating how comprehensive legal advocacy requires coordination across multiple sectors and jurisdictions. Special attention will be given to protecting vulnerable populations within LGBTQIA2S+ communities who face intersecting forms of discrimination.
Join us for this vital discussion that moves beyond identifying legal challenges to exploring actionable strategies for ensuring equal justice under the law. This workshop embodies the conference's commitment to practical knowledge exchange that can immediately strengthen legal protections and enforcement mechanisms for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals and families nationwide.
