Erin Beth Harrist, Director of The Legal Aid Society’s LGBTQ+ Law & Policy Unit, joined advocates at the White House for a roundtable discussion on shrinking the civil legal access gap for LGBTQ+ Americans.

During the conversation, Harrist stressed the importance of ensuring that legal providers are trained in cultural humility, how to create an affirming environment, and intersectionality. She also highlighted the need for advocacy to reform a biased court system.

Erin pointed to the success of Legal Aid’s monthly name change clinic for LGBTQ+ homeless youth as an innovative example of how the private bar, legal services providers, and local LGBTQ+ organizations can achieve positive outcomes when they bring resources to a community.

The panel was hosted by the White House Counsel’s Office on Racial Justice & Equity and was attended by Ed Siskel, White House Counsel, and Tyeesha Dixon, Deputy Counsel to the President. As a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, Legal Aid was honored to be included in this conversation and looks forward to working with the Biden Administration to bridge the access to justice gap.