ATTORNEY GENERAL AND LFBC FUND FIRST-EVER 2SLGBTQIA+LEGAL CLINIC IN BC

QMUNITY is happy to announce that it will be the site of BC’s first-ever pro-bono 2SLGBTQIA+ legal clinic. Jointly funded by the Law Foundation of British Columbia and the office of BC’s Attorney General, the clinic is set to open in 2024. “Queer, trans, and Two-Spirit people experience disproportionate barriers to accessing legal services. We know from our 45 years of serving these communities that 2SLGBTQIA+ people have distinct legal needs that are not being met,” says Anoop Gill, Executive Director at QMUNITY. QMUNITY has been BC’s queer and trans resource center for 45 years, and in that time has consistently seen the need for legal support tailored to 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Housing, employment, and family law were identified through community consultations as priority areas of practice. Self-identified 2SLGBTQIA+ people across BC will be able to access system navigation and legal representation through the clinic, free of charge. “We are committed to ensuring that there are resources available to help 2SLGBTQIA+ people navigate the law, protect their rights, and increase equality in our province,” says Niki Sharma, Attorney General This legal clinic is opening amidst a wave of backlash to 2SLGBTQIA+ rights on a social and legislative level, particularly the Albertan anti-trans bills proposed in February. “It is very clear that there is a need for equitable access to legal services for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in BC, and that need is drastically increasing now,” says Josh Paterson, Executive Director of the Law Foundation of BC. “QMUNITY is a trusted partner in this work, and the Law Foundation is proud to fund the establishment of their new legal clinic to provide much-needed support for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.” Additionally, QMUNITY’s legal clinic will provide education on inclusive practices for legal professionals across BC, and connect 2SLGBTQIA+ people to other services that can support them.“Having the clinic as part of QMUNITY also means we are able to extend wrap-around services to support community members in more ways than one,” adds Gill. “Whether it be counseling, employment support, or mental health, our organization is positioned to offer fulsome support to folks facing barriers within the legal system QMUNITY is happy to announce that it will be the site of BC’s first-ever pro-bono 2SLGBTQIA+ legal clinic. Jointly funded by the Law Foundation of British Columbia and the office of BC’s Attorney General, the clinic is set to open in 2024. “Queer, trans, and Two-Spirit people experience disproportionate barriers to accessing legal services. We know from our 45 years of serving these communities that 2SLGBTQIA+ people have distinct legal needs that are not being met,” says Anoop Gill, Executive Director at QMUNITY. QMUNITY has been BC’s queer and trans resource center for 45 years, and in that time has consistently seen the need for legal support tailored to 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Housing, employment, and family law were identified through community consultations as priority areas of practice. Self-identified 2SLGBTQIA+ people across BC will be able to access system navigation and legal representation through the clinic, free of charge. “We are committed to ensuring that there are resources available to help 2SLGBTQIA+ people navigate the law, protect their rights, and increase equality in our province,” says Niki Sharma, Attorney General This legal clinic is opening amidst a wave of backlash to 2SLGBTQIA+ rights on a social and legislative level, particularly the Albertan anti-trans bills proposed in February. “It is very clear that there is a need for equitable access to legal services for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in BC, and that need is drastically increasing now,” says Josh Paterson, Executive Director of the Law Foundation of BC. “QMUNITY is a trusted partner in this work, and the Law Foundation is proud to fund the establishment of their new legal clinic to provide much-needed support for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.” Additionally, QMUNITY’s legal clinic will provide education on inclusive practices for legal professionals across BC, and connect 2SLGBTQIA+ people to other services that can support them.“Having the clinic as part of QMUNITY also means we are able to extend wrap-around services to support community members in more ways than one,” adds Gill. “Whether it be counseling, employment support, or mental health, our organization is positioned to offer fulsome support to folks facing barriers within the legal system