April 11, 2025 • 11 mins
🌈 In our SpeakOUT segment, we’re joined by Angela Giampolo, a nationally respected attorney, entrepreneur, and LGBTQ+ activist. Founder of Giampolo Law Group (GLG), Angela specializes in LGBTQ+ legal advocacy, estate planning, civil rights, and family law.
We discuss the impact of Trump-era executive orders on the LGBTQIA+ community—and what that means for civil rights, safety, and equality in today’s America. 🔗 Learn more and connect with Angela Giampolo:
• Website: www.giampololaw.com
• Instagram: @yourgaylawyer
• Facebook: Angela Giampolo
• X (formerly Twitter): @phillygaylawyer
• LinkedIn: Angela Giampolo
We discuss the impact of Trump-era executive orders on the LGBTQIA+ community—and what that means for civil rights, safety, and equality in today’s America. 🔗 Learn more and connect with Angela Giampolo:
• Website: www.giampololaw.com
• Instagram: @yourgaylawyer
• Facebook: Angela Giampolo
• X (formerly Twitter): @phillygaylawyer
• LinkedIn: Angela Giampolo
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
I'm so delighted to have Andelo Gianpolo join us as
she does once a month every month with speak Out.
She is a distinguished attorney, entrepreneur, LGBTQ plus activist dedicated
to serving the LGBTQ plus community, and she is here
to talk about the issues that impact that community but
also impact us all. Thank you once again for joining
(00:20):
us here today and every day. There's something new that
is impacting this wonderful community. And you just told me
something off Mike that completely shocked me, and that was
the banning of the Pride flag. Tell us more in
what state is that happening and what is the implication
of that.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
So currently we have Utah and Idaho that have passed
laws banning Pride flags from being flown five hundred dollars
fine for anyone seen flying.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
A Pride flag, and it's spreading.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Once one state enacts legislation that another states just copied
the law. So Florida's in the midst of doing it,
and then we're going to probably see that spread, especially
as we enter Pride Month. Idaho and so far as
to say any and all flags except the American flag,
whereas Utah is very specific Pride flag only is banned.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
Is there any challenge to this legislation?
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Not as of yet.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
This just happened in the last couple of days, so
I'm sure there will be and there'll be obviously folks
that will be flying flags during Pride month. Enforceability is
in question. What's this going to look like? It just
goes to show. Like you said, you know where we
are in this particular political climate right now.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
The last time you were here, we talked about how
the Trump administration is erasing anything related to DEI on
all of their websites. They're definitely specifically banning transgender individuals
from being represented on any of the government websites, and
we also talked about what what that means. Representation matters.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Right, with representation comes normalization, affirmation, legitimizing the very existence
to render someone invisible, right not in society, but legally.
They even sent directives down to the EEOC to drop
(02:17):
any and all discrimination claims having to do with transgender folks.
So a violent and concerted effort to render an entire
group of people invisible. You and I have talked over
the years. You know, it feels like eons ago when
we were talking about representation in TV and how wonderful
it was for the LGBTQ community. I'm blanking on the
(02:40):
name of the show, but it's super cute and hurt
something these kids, And it was the first character that
was that identified as asexual on television, right, And so
what does that mean for asexuals around the world to
actually see themselves reflected in a character in a show
And it's downs mundane, it's just a character and the show,
(03:02):
but you know, no one talks about asexuals and their
experience in the world. And to see yourself visible in
any way adds to a normalizing effect and helps with
mental health. And studies have shown that anti LGBTQ legislation
of any kind, but especially towards a trenchgender community, only
(03:24):
serves to increase suicide rates, drug and alcohol addictions. Representation
goes a long way.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
As a a woman and a person of color growing up,
I know that every time I saw, first of all,
every time I saw like a cool woman, you know,
doing something amazing, it made me feel seen. It made
me feel like, oh, that's someone who I could aspire
to be. There is someone I'm not alone. Representation can
have such a huge impact on people's self worth and
(03:54):
how we feel about ourselves. So I'd like to also
talk about other aspects of what's been happening when we
talk about what the city is doing. In Philadelphia, we
have Rulandeu, who is the first openly gay elected official
in city council. How do you think we're doing as
a city. We have been a very welcoming city when
(04:17):
it comes to LGBTQ individuals and rights. What are your
thoughts on that?
Speaker 2 (04:21):
And real quick, just to go back to the representation
and feeling seen and being seen and then that having
the impact of inspiring folks to do more. Condolise the
Rice when she speaks, always talks about when they ask her,
how did you get to where you are?
Speaker 3 (04:37):
And she said, growing up?
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Like you said, you know, at first, just seeing women
in power was the extent of what I thought that
I could achieve as a woman. But they were all
white women, and it was really Colon Powell just as
a black man. But seeing a black person even though
it wasn't a woman, then that expanded, right, so could
it be a black woman in that role?
Speaker 3 (05:01):
By putting the two together.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
But she had to first see women excel in legal
and political spheres and then see a black person. And
then she then put the two together and says, I
will be that black woman that will then be I
have chills as I say it. And these are folks
that are not of my political party. But you know,
it's like again, what impacts one community impacts everybody, right,
(05:27):
And so here in Philadelphia grew in my opinion, has
gone a long way of doing just that right of
being the LGBTQ version of that of being a visible,
very visible for decades now visible person in multiple spheres
and politics here in Philadelphia. Jim Kenny, as you know,
(05:48):
city council person in nineteen ninety six, was instrumental in
us having the very first nationwide Life Partnership Registry. And
he said way back that bullying is just unfair, regardless
of who it's towards, and that he grew up and
mummers had men wearing dresses, and so you know who
(06:10):
were they to cast a stone towards the LGBTQ community,
And that the end of the day, bullying anyone is
not right. We have a long, long history of fifty
some odd years in this city of fighting for LGBTQ
rights but also just what is right. And we under
Nutter had the very first LGBTQ liaison to the mayor
(06:33):
and we just had a new replacement. So I believe
Tyrell Brown is the new LGBTQ liaison.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
To the mayor black Man. So you know, that's awesome.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
So we you know, this city puts its money where
its mouth is and walks the walk, doesn't just talk
to talk. With that said, sanctuary cities then come under attack.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
As you mentioned.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
You know, Philadelphia has declared itself a sanctuary city and
on all things LGBTQ issues, trans athletes being able to
play in schools, and immigration, you name it. Philadelphia standing
up as a sanctuary city. But that also means we're
the first to be attacked. You know, the cities that
are standing up are the ones that are getting defunded
(07:13):
in every way, shape or form.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
But I'm very proud of this city.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
Yeah, yeah, I have to say shout out to Jim Kenny.
He was very much an advocate in an ally for
the LGBTQIA plus community. Well, so let's get down to
what can we do. So over the last weekend I
was covering the hands off rally, and there is a
lot of representation there, not only for LGBTQIA plus individuals
(07:40):
and issues, but a whole range of issues. It was
very eclectic. What can we do? What can we do? Now?
Give us a couple of points of action that we
can take.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
So specific to protesting, I highly recommend that if you
are going to go to protests and you may get arrested.
You know, some folks protest then do so quietly and
sort of off on the fringe.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
Others are more active and more so on the front lines.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
And so if you are one of those people, it's
not enough to just have a lawyer's name ready. You
can contact a criminal defense attorney.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
I have a few folks that I.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
Recommend and pay them in advance, retain them, and then
they give you a special letter that you keep on
your person if you are arrested. You're not just handing
over a business card and say this is who I
want to call. No, you have retained an attorney. This
letter states so, and you're treated completely differently. So I've
(08:39):
had a lot of folks reach out and think that
I can do something like that.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
I am of no use in that realm.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
I don't do criminal defense, but it is something that
goes back to the sixties and has sort of gone
by the wayside. But as you know, the police force
is ramped up the way that it is, especially entering
April twentieth, which is sort of this ninety day deadline
post January twentieth, and potential martial law and all of
these things that I highly highly recommend if you do
(09:07):
believe you'll be arrested, to have already talked to a
criminal defense attorney in advance. Secondly, from an immigration standpoint,
now that especially here in Philadelphia Sanctuary City, ice raids
are They're happening everywhere, and they're masks, they're not in
ice gear. They're breaking sort of every single due.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Process law that we have.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
Having a durable power of attorneys, so the durable power
of attorney won't be able to get you out of detainment.
If you are detained, you've lost all due process. But
to have someone on the outside that can then continue
to act for you as you legally and financially if
you were to just disappear, it won't help you personally,
(09:52):
but who's going to pay your mortgage, who's going to
pay your rent, who has the ability to communicate for
you legally and financially. So many people don't have that
in place, and you never know when a rate. That's
the whole point of them, right, And so one of
the most important estate planning documents that I'm recommending. I'm
speaking at an immigration panel for undocumented workers in the industry.
(10:16):
So a lot of restaurants, our owners are coming together
and holding this event and what can their workers do?
And that's one of the most important estate planning documents.
So we're going to have a clinic where we're going
to give them. You do them and give them out
complementary but very easy to pull off offline. The statutory
document is right there online. You don't have to pay
an attorney to do it. But definitely empower someone to
(10:39):
be able to live for you finantially.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
That's really great advice if people want to know more
about what you do. You do a lot of estate
planning and a lot of folks are really getting that
stuff done. In the face of all the challenges that
that people are facing these days. How do people get
in touch with you?
Speaker 2 (10:55):
Just go to my website jampullolaw dot com or lawyer
dot LGBT. I also blog at Phillygaylawyer dot com and
you can find me on TikTok and Instagram These days
your Gay Lawyer, or you can just call the office
two on five six four five, twenty four fifteen.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
Thank you so much, Angela Giampaolo who comes to us
once a month every month for a segment we call
speak Out, which is all about the LGBTQI plus community,
but also how all of that stuff that impacts this
community really also impacts all of us.
Speaker 3 (11:26):
Thank you, Thank you. Laren
I'm so delighted to have Andelo Gianpolo join us as
she does once a month every month with speak Out.
She is a distinguished attorney, entrepreneur, LGBTQ plus activist dedicated
to serving the LGBTQ plus community, and she is here
to talk about the issues that impact that community but
also impact us all. Thank you once again for joining
(00:20):
us here today and every day. There's something new that
is impacting this wonderful community. And you just told me
something off Mike that completely shocked me, and that was
the banning of the Pride flag. Tell us more in
what state is that happening and what is the implication
of that.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
So currently we have Utah and Idaho that have passed
laws banning Pride flags from being flown five hundred dollars
fine for anyone seen flying.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
A Pride flag, and it's spreading.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Once one state enacts legislation that another states just copied
the law. So Florida's in the midst of doing it,
and then we're going to probably see that spread, especially
as we enter Pride Month. Idaho and so far as
to say any and all flags except the American flag,
whereas Utah is very specific Pride flag only is banned.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
Is there any challenge to this legislation?
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Not as of yet.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
This just happened in the last couple of days, so
I'm sure there will be and there'll be obviously folks
that will be flying flags during Pride month. Enforceability is
in question. What's this going to look like? It just
goes to show. Like you said, you know where we
are in this particular political climate right now.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
The last time you were here, we talked about how
the Trump administration is erasing anything related to DEI on
all of their websites. They're definitely specifically banning transgender individuals
from being represented on any of the government websites, and
we also talked about what what that means. Representation matters.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Right, with representation comes normalization, affirmation, legitimizing the very existence
to render someone invisible, right not in society, but legally.
They even sent directives down to the EEOC to drop
(02:17):
any and all discrimination claims having to do with transgender folks.
So a violent and concerted effort to render an entire
group of people invisible. You and I have talked over
the years. You know, it feels like eons ago when
we were talking about representation in TV and how wonderful
it was for the LGBTQ community. I'm blanking on the
(02:40):
name of the show, but it's super cute and hurt
something these kids, And it was the first character that
was that identified as asexual on television, right, And so
what does that mean for asexuals around the world to
actually see themselves reflected in a character in a show
And it's downs mundane, it's just a character and the show,
(03:02):
but you know, no one talks about asexuals and their
experience in the world. And to see yourself visible in
any way adds to a normalizing effect and helps with
mental health. And studies have shown that anti LGBTQ legislation
of any kind, but especially towards a trenchgender community, only
(03:24):
serves to increase suicide rates, drug and alcohol addictions. Representation
goes a long way.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
As a a woman and a person of color growing up,
I know that every time I saw, first of all,
every time I saw like a cool woman, you know,
doing something amazing, it made me feel seen. It made
me feel like, oh, that's someone who I could aspire
to be. There is someone I'm not alone. Representation can
have such a huge impact on people's self worth and
(03:54):
how we feel about ourselves. So I'd like to also
talk about other aspects of what's been happening when we
talk about what the city is doing. In Philadelphia, we
have Rulandeu, who is the first openly gay elected official
in city council. How do you think we're doing as
a city. We have been a very welcoming city when
(04:17):
it comes to LGBTQ individuals and rights. What are your
thoughts on that?
Speaker 2 (04:21):
And real quick, just to go back to the representation
and feeling seen and being seen and then that having
the impact of inspiring folks to do more. Condolise the
Rice when she speaks, always talks about when they ask her,
how did you get to where you are?
Speaker 3 (04:37):
And she said, growing up?
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Like you said, you know, at first, just seeing women
in power was the extent of what I thought that
I could achieve as a woman. But they were all
white women, and it was really Colon Powell just as
a black man. But seeing a black person even though
it wasn't a woman, then that expanded, right, so could
it be a black woman in that role?
Speaker 3 (05:01):
By putting the two together.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
But she had to first see women excel in legal
and political spheres and then see a black person. And
then she then put the two together and says, I
will be that black woman that will then be I
have chills as I say it. And these are folks
that are not of my political party. But you know,
it's like again, what impacts one community impacts everybody, right,
(05:27):
And so here in Philadelphia grew in my opinion, has
gone a long way of doing just that right of
being the LGBTQ version of that of being a visible,
very visible for decades now visible person in multiple spheres
and politics here in Philadelphia. Jim Kenny, as you know,
(05:48):
city council person in nineteen ninety six, was instrumental in
us having the very first nationwide Life Partnership Registry. And
he said way back that bullying is just unfair, regardless
of who it's towards, and that he grew up and
mummers had men wearing dresses, and so you know who
(06:10):
were they to cast a stone towards the LGBTQ community,
And that the end of the day, bullying anyone is
not right. We have a long, long history of fifty
some odd years in this city of fighting for LGBTQ
rights but also just what is right. And we under
Nutter had the very first LGBTQ liaison to the mayor
(06:33):
and we just had a new replacement. So I believe
Tyrell Brown is the new LGBTQ liaison.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
To the mayor black Man. So you know, that's awesome.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
So we you know, this city puts its money where
its mouth is and walks the walk, doesn't just talk
to talk. With that said, sanctuary cities then come under attack.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
As you mentioned.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
You know, Philadelphia has declared itself a sanctuary city and
on all things LGBTQ issues, trans athletes being able to
play in schools, and immigration, you name it. Philadelphia standing
up as a sanctuary city. But that also means we're
the first to be attacked. You know, the cities that
are standing up are the ones that are getting defunded
(07:13):
in every way, shape or form.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
But I'm very proud of this city.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
Yeah, yeah, I have to say shout out to Jim Kenny.
He was very much an advocate in an ally for
the LGBTQIA plus community. Well, so let's get down to
what can we do. So over the last weekend I
was covering the hands off rally, and there is a
lot of representation there, not only for LGBTQIA plus individuals
(07:40):
and issues, but a whole range of issues. It was
very eclectic. What can we do? What can we do? Now?
Give us a couple of points of action that we
can take.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
So specific to protesting, I highly recommend that if you
are going to go to protests and you may get arrested.
You know, some folks protest then do so quietly and
sort of off on the fringe.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
Others are more active and more so on the front lines.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
And so if you are one of those people, it's
not enough to just have a lawyer's name ready. You
can contact a criminal defense attorney.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
I have a few folks that I.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
Recommend and pay them in advance, retain them, and then
they give you a special letter that you keep on
your person if you are arrested. You're not just handing
over a business card and say this is who I
want to call. No, you have retained an attorney. This
letter states so, and you're treated completely differently. So I've
(08:39):
had a lot of folks reach out and think that
I can do something like that.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
I am of no use in that realm.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
I don't do criminal defense, but it is something that
goes back to the sixties and has sort of gone
by the wayside. But as you know, the police force
is ramped up the way that it is, especially entering
April twentieth, which is sort of this ninety day deadline
post January twentieth, and potential martial law and all of
these things that I highly highly recommend if you do
(09:07):
believe you'll be arrested, to have already talked to a
criminal defense attorney in advance. Secondly, from an immigration standpoint,
now that especially here in Philadelphia Sanctuary City, ice raids
are They're happening everywhere, and they're masks, they're not in
ice gear. They're breaking sort of every single due.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Process law that we have.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
Having a durable power of attorneys, so the durable power
of attorney won't be able to get you out of detainment.
If you are detained, you've lost all due process. But
to have someone on the outside that can then continue
to act for you as you legally and financially if
you were to just disappear, it won't help you personally,
(09:52):
but who's going to pay your mortgage, who's going to
pay your rent, who has the ability to communicate for
you legally and financially. So many people don't have that
in place, and you never know when a rate. That's
the whole point of them, right, And so one of
the most important estate planning documents that I'm recommending. I'm
speaking at an immigration panel for undocumented workers in the industry.
(10:16):
So a lot of restaurants, our owners are coming together
and holding this event and what can their workers do?
And that's one of the most important estate planning documents.
So we're going to have a clinic where we're going
to give them. You do them and give them out
complementary but very easy to pull off offline. The statutory
document is right there online. You don't have to pay
an attorney to do it. But definitely empower someone to
(10:39):
be able to live for you finantially.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
That's really great advice if people want to know more
about what you do. You do a lot of estate
planning and a lot of folks are really getting that
stuff done. In the face of all the challenges that
that people are facing these days. How do people get
in touch with you?
Speaker 2 (10:55):
Just go to my website jampullolaw dot com or lawyer
dot LGBT. I also blog at Phillygaylawyer dot com and
you can find me on TikTok and Instagram These days
your Gay Lawyer, or you can just call the office
two on five six four five, twenty four fifteen.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
Thank you so much, Angela Giampaolo who comes to us
once a month every month for a segment we call
speak Out, which is all about the LGBTQI plus community,
but also how all of that stuff that impacts this
community really also impacts all of us.
Speaker 3 (11:26):
Thank you, Thank you. Laren
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