Law school isn’t always where you go to find yourself and it can take its toll on your sense of self. Depending on the circumstances of your prior education, Temple can be an incredibly diverse place and for me it was. I had traveled the world and lived abroad, but my experiences were still limited. It wasn’t until I went to Temple Beasley School of Law that I was able to grow as an individual. In the first semester of law school I met incredible new friends, mentors, and faculty, some of whom were members of the LGBTQ community.
I had several friends who were gay men before law school, but almost no exposure to LGBTQ families or married couples. Temple changed all of that. Despite the stereotypes, I wasn’t indoctrinated, in fact I didn’t even speak with the LGBTQ faculty, I just observed how they were able to be themselves and be successful socially and professionally. Despite the challenges the law school environment presented, I decided it was time to be myself and so I came out as bisexual in the spring of my 1L year. The timing wasn’t ideal, but I haven’t looked back since. Thanks to Temple Law, the Law and Public Policy Program, and my own determination, I have been able to find my sense of self and stay true to who I am as an individual and legal professional.
Amber Hikes, Rep. Brian Sims, and Steven A. Johnston (LAW ’18) Photo Courtesy of Kelly Vincent.
On September 23, 2017, Philadelphia celebrated International Bisexual Visibility Day with Temple Law students leading the way for the second year in a row. Last year was a trial run for the event and this year’s Philly Bi Visibility Day Rally ballooned beyond what I could have even imagined. At this year’s rally, a number of LGBTQ organizations tabled at the event, the City’s Office of LGBT Affairs co-hosted, Mayor Jim Kenney, Amber Hikes of the Office of LGBT Affairs, Terri Clark a bisexual activist working at Action Wellness, and State Rep. Brian Sims joined the event as guest speakers. I started Philly Bi Visibility, the organization that plans and hosts Bi Visibility Day in Philadelphia, as a way to express who I was, support other bisexual and queer people, and as an outlet to so many of the issues I was experiencing. Thankfully I didn’t have to do it alone.
Rev. TJ Denley (LAW ’19) Photo Courtesy of Kelly Vincent.
Both years fellow 3L Lisa Burns helped plan the event and this year 2L’s Noelia Rivera Calderon, educator and bi activist, and TJ Denley, an ordained minister and lesbian activist, joined as speakers. The 2016 event was the first public rally in Philadelphia and the only event in Pennsylvania to celebrate Bi Pride. The 2017 event was also the only event in Pennsylvania for the day as well. By having both events I have tried to recognize that bisexuals make up the largest segment of the LGBT community, but are the least likely to come out and suffer from higher rates of mental health issues and disparate health impacts.
Lawyers have a social power. Socially, politically, and economically the legal profession is in an unprecedented position to help end the systemic and societal discrimination of the LGBTQ community, the minority group that sees the largest number of hate crimes in the United States. I hosted this event to make sure that all bisexuals in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania know that there is an organization who values, appreciates, and recognizes them. No matter what we do as lawyers, we all have a social position and power to stand up and advocate for others.
Noelia Rivera Calderon (LAW ’19) Photo Courtesy of Kelly Vincent.
In her speech Noelia stated, “Bisexual youth, and especially so bisexual youth of color, experience disproportionately high rates of harassment, exclusion, and poor health. Latina LGBT girls, girls like me, are significantly more likely than any other LGBT group to attempt suicide. This is not a coincidence; this is not an accident. This is at the core of the issue of belonging. If you feel invisible, if no one sees you, if no one respects you and validates you, then eventually it seems to make sense to make yourself permanently invisible.”
Law school, and the legal profession in general, is not always mindful of individual needs, identities, and differences, but if you are aware of them and focus on yourself, they can be. Seeking help through the Tuttleman Counseling Center, student affairs, student organizations, or other sources can help you develop in ways beyond learning cases and laws. Every time I admit openly that I am bisexual I face consequences, in school, at work, and beyond, but I am also in a position others may never be in and so it is a privilege to say I am bisexual. Yes, law school is a time to develop academically and professionally, but also socially. As lawyers, we will have a position in society that few others will and we can leverage that position, our skills, and our hopes for the future to build a stronger community, one Bi Visibility Day at a time.
All photos used in this post are courtesy of Kelly Vincent, activist and photographer.
