On March 11, 2005, Santa Clara University School of Law Bisexual Gay Lesbian Advocates (BGLAd) was awarded the 2005 BALiF Student Organization Award and $500 for its leadership in bringing greater awareness and acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) individuals at Santa Clara University. Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom(BALiF) recognized BGLAd at BALiF’s 25th Anniversary Dinner, which was attended by 600-800 individuals from the San Francisco bay area legal community. BALiF also honored Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi with the 2005 Legal Service Award that evening.
BGLAd’s accomplishments in promoting equality during 2004-2005 include sponsoring speakers, such as Legal Analyst Jim Hammer, fundraising for the Silicon Valley Walk for AIDS, having BGLAd as one of the minority groups listed on law school applications, initiating the first annual 2005 “Celebrate Diversity” Networking Reception, hosting a dinner out with LGBT law faculty members, attending the Lavender Law Conference, and protesting military recruitment on law school campuses. BGLAd was able to grow its membership from 8 students to nearly 50 students in just one year.
BGLAd president David Tsai attributes the success of the organization to the strong board and the unrelenting support of Dean Donald Polden, its advisors Professors Nancy and Eric Wright, the law career services Dean Bullara and Acting Dean Hinkle, diversity services Dean Leach, student services Dean Yaffee, and the larger Santa Clara University community.
About Bisexual Gay Lesbian Advocates (BGLAd)
BGLAd (http://lawscuedustage.wpengine.com/bglad/) is an active and vital part of the Santa Clara University School of Law. The organization is concerned with the interests of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons at the law school and was founded on the basis to bring greater awareness and acceptance of diversity at Santa Clara University. For more information on BGLAd, contact David Tsai, at dtsai@scu.edu.
