Executive Director and General Counsel Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, Recipient of the LGLA 2009 Co-Presidents Award

The Lesbian and Gay Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (LGLA) celebrated its 30th Anniversary with a dinner and awards gala February 28, 2009. The Gala honored LGBT lawyers’ extraordinary efforts on behalf of marriage equality. Thirty years ago, lesbian and gay lawyers formed LGLA as a response to the bitter battle over Proposition 6 (the ‘Briggs Initiative,” a failed attempt to ban all gays and lesbians from the profession of teaching in California). Last year, Proposition 8 demonstrated that LGLA’s noble goals for the promotion of equal rights and the elimination of bias against the LGBT community are still unmet. LGLA celebrates 30 years of service to the legal community as a proud affiliate of the Los Angeles county Bar Association.

Congratulations to all of the honorees and a special acknowledgement to our own Deputy National Executive Director and General Counsel Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, recipient of the 2009 Co-Presidents Award. As a longtime member of LGLA and its Board of Governors, Duncan has served with distinction as a past co-president and held the post of treasurer for over six years. His dedication to duty and watchful financial oversight helped to lead LGLA through some of its developing years and helped the organization find its direction and purpose among the many local specialty bar associations. Duncan is the staff liaison to Screen Actors Guild’s LGBT committee and was instrumental in the creation of the committee. The purpose of the committee is to provide support to LGBT actors and to educate the membership, the industry, and the public on LGBT actors' issues, with a focus on ending discrimination against LGBT actors in the workplace. Duncan was honored with this award for his many years of service, leadership and commitment to LGLA and to our community.