For many years, Dru Levasseur fought for LGBTQ+ rights in courts across the nation. Now, he works to improve the experience of LGBTQ+ attorneys in the legal profession. In this conversation, Dru shares from his experiences as a transgender attorney and insights learned in his current role as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association. He examines the representation of LGBTQ+ attorneys in the profession and the discrimination and bias they can face in the workplace. Dru also touches on the fears and insecurities that many lawyers may have when it comes to working with trans colleagues or clients, including concerns about pronouns and sensitive questions about transitioning. The conversation provides resources for lawyers and legal employers to develop a more open and welcoming environment to practice law for trans attorneys, improve understanding among colleagues and to empower LGBTQ+ allies, and to integrate smart policies to improve firm diversity and inclusion.
Watch Part 1 of A Transition in the Legal Profession.
Discrimination and Legal Issues Faced by the Transgender Community
National Center for Transgender Equality's 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey
Podcast Why is This Happening? With Chris Hayes episode Treating Trans Youth with Dr. Izzy Lowell
LGBTQ+ Diversity in the Legal Profession
National Association for Law Placement 2020 Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms
National Association of Women Lawyers 2020 Report on the Promotion & Retention of Women in Law Firms
LGBTQ+ Bar Association's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Index
Resources