Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee

The Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee (SOGI) was established in 2021 by President Jon Heyl to secure full equality for members of the LGBTQ+ community in the NCBA, the legal profession, and society.

The SOGI Committee will work to oppose discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression; to promote the expertise and advancement of LGBTQ+ legal professionals; and to serve the larger LGBTQ+ community through providing legal education, resources, and information to the legal community and the public.

It will do so through five areas of emphasis:

1. Mentoring – the Committee will provide opportunities for members to develop mentoring relationships with other members of the LGBTQ+ bar;
2. Networking – the Committee will provide regular opportunities for members to socialize, connect, and network with one another and to encourage LGBTQ+ attorneys to join and participate in the NCBA;
3. Education – the Committee will provide CLE and other educational opportunities for NCBA members to learn about or expand their knowledge about legal issues relevant to members of the LGBTQ+ community, serving LGBTQ+ clients, and being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, as well as to provide educational opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community to learn about or expand their knowledge about legal issues relevant to members of the LGBTQ+ community;
4. Service – the Committee will provide pro bono legal services to the LGBTQ+ community through the North Carolina Bar Foundation; and
5. Advocacy – the Committee will advocate on behalf of LGBTQ+ members of the legal profession and society.