December 12, 2025 • 29 mins
On this episode, we’re joined by Angela Giampolo of Giampolo Law for our monthly SpeakOUT segment, which explores issues impacting the LGBTQIA+ community and how they intersect with the broader population. Angela breaks down current trends affecting the LGBTQIA+ community, including healthcare access and job discrimination, and discusses alarming new legislation that could have serious implications for people with dual citizenship—or those considering applying for that status.
But first, we shine a light on Christmas Babies, a holiday initiative founded by Philadelphia Police Officer Ashley Capaldi, an 18-year veteran who mobilizes fellow officers and community volunteers to deliver hundreds of Christmas gifts to families in the Kensington neighborhood. Through a partnership with SWAT, LaLa’s Winter Wonderland, and local community leaders, Christmas Babies continues to grow—meeting urgent needs and spreading joy during the holiday season. You can help support families in need by visiting www.christmasbabies.com. Together, we can help ensure every child experiences the magic, joy, and love of the holidays.
Learn more & connect with Angela Giampolo / Giampolo Law:
🌐 Website: https://www.giampololaw.com
📸 Instagram: @giampololaw
🐦 X (Twitter): @PhillyGayLawyer
📘 Facebook: Giampolo Law Group
But first, we shine a light on Christmas Babies, a holiday initiative founded by Philadelphia Police Officer Ashley Capaldi, an 18-year veteran who mobilizes fellow officers and community volunteers to deliver hundreds of Christmas gifts to families in the Kensington neighborhood. Through a partnership with SWAT, LaLa’s Winter Wonderland, and local community leaders, Christmas Babies continues to grow—meeting urgent needs and spreading joy during the holiday season. You can help support families in need by visiting www.christmasbabies.com. Together, we can help ensure every child experiences the magic, joy, and love of the holidays.
Learn more & connect with Angela Giampolo / Giampolo Law:
🌐 Website: https://www.giampololaw.com
📸 Instagram: @giampololaw
🐦 X (Twitter): @PhillyGayLawyer
📘 Facebook: Giampolo Law Group
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning, and welcome to What's going on? A show
about making a difference in our lives and our communities.
I'm Lorraine Ballard Morrel. We'll be talking with Angela Giampaolo
of Gimpolo Law for our once a month feature speak Out,
which explores issues impacting the lgbt QIA plus community and
how they intersect with the broader population. This week, Angela
(00:23):
breaks down alarming new legislation that could have major implications
for all people with dual citizenship or those considering applying
for that status. But first, I want you to picture
this a massive SWAT truck, police officers and squad cars
and vans rolling up with hundreds of Christmas presents for
(00:46):
families in the Kensington area. The initiative is called Christmas Babies,
founded by Philadelphia Police officer Ashley Capaldi, a dedicated eighteen
euro veteran who rallies fellow officers and community volunteers to
brighten the holidays for families in need. The campaign grows
every year, and this season the need is greater than ever.
(01:08):
The partnership between Christmas Babies, SWAT and community leaders represents
the best of Philadelphia neighbors coming together to meet urgent
needs with heart and generosity. Each year, SWAT vehicles head
to secure locations where volunteers organize and distribute gifts to
families across Kensington and surrounding neighborhoods, creating lasting memories and
(01:31):
strengthening the spirit of the season. You can help by
visiting Christmasbabies dot com. Together, we can ensure that every
child feels the magic, joy and love of the holiday season.
And now for the show Today, on our monthly speak
Out segment, we welcome back Angela Giampolo of Geompolo Law
(01:53):
and Philly Gay Lawyer. Angela is a leading voice on
lgbtqia plus rights and advocacy of legal insight and real
world perspectives on issues impacting the lgbtqia plus individuals and families,
but also talking about how these issues impact all of us.
With rising legislation targeting queer and trans communities, ongoing safety concerns,
(02:15):
and persistent disparities in healthcare and housing, there has never
been a more crucial time to understand what's at stake.
Angela joins us to break down the top challenges and
what we can do to advance equality and protect LGBTQIA plus. Right, So, Angela,
there's a lot to talk about today. From your legal
and advocacy perspective, what would you say are some of
(02:38):
the most urgent issues facing the LGBTQIA plus community right now?
Speaker 2 (02:44):
You know, unfortunately it's so much.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
There are so many, and I would break it down
based on the how you identify within the LGBTQ plus umbrella. So,
in my opinion, the most pressing as a non trans,
you know, non gender diverse, a non person is the
attacks on trans folks in this country. And it's coming
(03:07):
from every single angle that in unimaginable ways.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
I have chills just thinking about it.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
So, you know, from gender affirming care and the lack
of access to gender firming care, especially for miners, right,
and so many folks who aren't aware of the science
around it think that, you know, miners shouldn't be making
such a.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Big decision so young, right.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
I remember I was on a board of a nonprofit
that gave a grant to parents of a two year
old who was trying to self castrate at two years old. Right,
Like children and the sooner, the life saving measures that
gender firming care for minors provides because they haven't hit
puberty yet, this whole flood of hormones hasn't occurred, their
(03:56):
Adams Apple hasn't started. Like, it's just so much easier,
and the studies show that their mental health progression through
their lifetime is so much better the sooner that. But
now with gender firming care, you know, on the chopping
block for minors, you have all of those kids not
able to access it. You have passports right not able
(04:19):
to be issued in the gender that they identify with
instead the sex assigned at birth. I have clients with
full on beards whose legal name is John with an
F and their passport and it's quite frankly dangerous going
through borders right for trans folks. It's just not safe
(04:40):
to travel that way. And so and you know, again
not to speak to just the demeaning and dehumanizing impact
that that has on that person when they got their
passport back and it says F for the first time
in fifteen years, twenty years, however.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Long I have, you know, folks that were there.
Speaker 3 (04:59):
Was a a case that went up to the Supreme
Court around an injunction, and there was a moment in
time for the last six months where trans folks could
have gotten their passport. But and now, just a couple
of days ago, the White House updated their website to
say they may be invalidating every so up until a
few days ago, it was when you renew your passport,
(05:22):
it will have to be renewed in the sex assigned
at birth. But if you have ten years left on
your passport, you're good for the next ten years. But
when you go to renew it, it is what it is,
it'll be back to f right.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
And so there has been some talk just.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
Based on the White House website, or if we invalidate
your passport, these three four words were added to the website,
and so there's some talk that every trans person's passports
could just be unilaterally invalidated to the extent that they
have a list of those folks and new passports sent
out the FBI, and talk about creating a whole new
(05:57):
group of terrorists called for trans folks nihilistic terrorist extremists.
Classifying trans folks as nihilistic terroristic extremists.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Can't take it.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
Wait a second, it is really bad. That sounds terrible,
but what is that even very very bad? I mean,
just by being transit, you're by definition a.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Terrorist exactly that that that by definition you are suspect,
and so like that is the country in which these
folks are existing and operating in. Wow? Right, I mean
what that does again to someone's mental health, the fear
of being on a list? Right, So in that that
was just proposed by that has not been created. You know,
(06:40):
that didn't get created. That group doesn't yet exist. But
it happened after the Charlie Kirk assassination. And when you
know trans person, not his in particular, but the assassination
before that was done by a trans person, and so
that was the beginning of you know, trans people are
dangerous and we should create this new extremist group called
(07:04):
the NTE.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Wow, that's incredible. Who turned themselves into a pretzel coming
up with that designation?
Speaker 2 (07:13):
That is crazy.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Well, let's dig back into the anti trans legislation across
the country. Talk to us about some of these policies.
You mentioned a couple that already are starting to take place,
and we're already seeing at the White House level. I
think there was the a person who a trans individual
who used to be I think our director of Health
(07:38):
and Human Services here in Pennsylvania. But she went to
work for the government, and on her portrait I guess
her picture, they changed her designation.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
To mail Admiral Rachel Levine.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
Right, thank you, yeah yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
And then removed Rachel Levine and put her dead name
right right.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Yeah. So so we're seeing this.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
I mean, that's not so much a policy so much
as and a lot of trans folks will reach out
to me and ask, like, you know, especially around marriage equality.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
Right.
Speaker 3 (08:11):
So again we go to my avatar trans client, John
with the big beard, right, but sex assigned up birth
was female. Now if John is married to Julie as
we stand here today, and the marriage certificate says John
and Julie. But where the federal government is going with
(08:31):
this is that being trans in and of itself doesn't exist.
That you can't be transgender because that does not exist.
There are only two sexes in this country that was
set on Inauguration Day. There are only two sexes that
the federal government recognizes.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Male, female.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
So that stands to reason that they are extrapolating from
that that transgender doesn't exist, and if hence removing Rachel
Leban and putting up a dead name because Rachel Levin
can't exist, trans folks can't operate in the military. We
need to remove them because there's something.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Wrong with them.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
They aren't able to defend this country, right. And so
something that I think exceeds the boundary of a policy
is full on a nihilism and saying you don't exist.
So to go back to John and Julie, that means
if assigned at birth that was Joanne and their dead
(09:36):
name is Joanne. Really they're not in as cis marriage.
They are in a same sex marriage because it's Joanne.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
And Julie, gotcha.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
Yeah, So more so than any policy that the government can,
you know, enact an anti trans legislation and all of
the things, what goes at the heart of it is
the erasure and the erasing of that group of people,
and hence removing Admiral Levine's name as it legally currently
(10:08):
is in this country and putting her name assigned up birth.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
We were talking before we got started on this interview
about a change, a potential change in policy that not
only impacts LGBTQIA because there are significant numbers of people
who are planning to move to another country, try to
get a dual citizenship, et cetera, but LGBTQIA not just
(10:32):
that group, but there are plenty of other people who
are thinking, yes, Spain is looking pretty good right now,
or Italy or whatever, ready, right right, get that go
bag ready, But there is a potential policy change that
could really interfere with people's ability to do exactly that,
to maintain that dual citizenship. Tell us more about that.
(10:53):
That was new for me. I had not heard this,
So tell us more.
Speaker 3 (10:57):
It's a shocker. It's a shocker. It's brand news, so
you know you didn't miss it kind of thing. But
it was a bill enacted by Republican in Ohio, Bill Marino,
called the Exclusive Citizenship Act, which would serve to end
dual citizenship in this country. I am a dual citizen
of the US in Canada, born here.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
Doesn't matter, right. Anyone with a.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
Dual citizenship would, if this bill was enacted, would be
asked to be given one year. So I would have
one year from the date the bill becomes law in
which to renounce my Canadian citizenship in writing to Canada
and CC the.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Department of State.
Speaker 3 (11:39):
And if I did not comply, if I did nothing,
and or if I renounced the US citizenship, I would,
but if I did nothing and the year passed, I
would be deemed to have forfeited my US citizenship, and
then I would be deemed a foreign alien subject to deportation.
So the idea being is it's trying to find in quotes.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Who is truly American. Right.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
Then let's say the bill is law, it becomes law,
and you then.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Want to become a Portuguese citizen.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
You want the golden beez in Portugal, or you want
to go to Spain if you become a citizen of
a second country after this bill, So you know this
bill is law, and despite knowing that you went and
got Portuguese citizenship, you will have been deemed to automatically
have forfeited your US citizenship. So I've done some deep digging,
both for LGBTQ folks, for you.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
Know, my allied community that.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
Wants to get their go bag ready, as well as
for myself because I am obviously impacted by what happens,
and there are some serious constitutional issues with it. So
you know I don't there are two Supreme Court cases
because let's say it became law, there are two things happening.
It could become law knowing that it would be deemed
unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, but they want just to
(13:01):
create the fear. They call it billboard politics. Put this
on a billboard. Who's American McCarthy era style lavender list
the building? Who are the communists? Who are the defectors?
Who's trying to get a go bag?
Speaker 2 (13:15):
Ready?
Speaker 3 (13:16):
We're going to find you a billboard politics where they
know it wouldn't survive Supreme Court constitutional muster, but they
get it out there. Adjudge, you know, issues an injunction.
It doesn't go into effect until it works its way
up to the Supreme Court, right, but it's still it's
out there. It causes people fear, concern. The news media
(13:36):
will get all over it, and people will get it twisted,
and news speeds will get it all twisted. And you know,
you know, no offense how the news works, and so.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
No offense taken. I agree with you, but anyway, thank you.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
But there are two cases, one decided in nineteen sixty seven,
one decided in nineteen eighty saying that Congress doesn't have
the power to force the US citizen to give up
their citizenship, that only US citisen can do it, and
they have to demonstrate intent to want to do it.
The Marinal law tries to get around that by saying,
if I didn't comply in a year, if I didn't
(14:14):
do the thing, then that is me acquiescing. I've through
my complacency or through my inaction, I have acquiesced, and
I have voluntarily relinquished my US citizenship because I didn't
do the one thing or the other. And it's not
directly on point, but this one Supreme Court case says
that's not enough. Angela has to want to want to
(14:35):
give up her US citizenship, not that she failed to
comply with your law and the lack of doing so
means that she acquiesced on that that's not enough because
maybe she didn't know about it, and she needs to
know about it and want to do it. So there's
constitutional issues with the law, but it's out there. It's
where we're at, you know, when we talk about just
(14:57):
the political temperature in the room, and it's that's.
Speaker 2 (15:01):
Where we're at.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
So yeah, you know, I'm telling folks, if you are
looking into golden visas or by heritage, if you can
become a citizen of another country, a client of mind
by virtue of being Puerto Rican and having lived in
Puerto Rico, she's able to get Spain a citizenship in
Spain by virtue of that.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
So if you have these things, explore them, continue to
explore them.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
It just got read in the House, it got referred
to committee. It's brand new, it's working its way up.
Even if it became law, then it would be two
years before it went to the Supreme Court. So we're
three to three and a half years away from any
final decision on it.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
So get your go bag ready and at least and
you have a choice.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
Yeah right, if.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
This becomes a thing, but you stopped right now trying
to get that Spanish citizenship, then you won't have an
option in the future. So do all the things now
and then if you're forced to decide, at least you
have options.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
Wow, that is crazy, and that is some that does
affect not only the LGBTQI plus community, but anyone who's
interested in the dual citizenship. And I know quite a
few people who do have dual citizenship, like you, my
resend who say yeah, who.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
They don't have exact numbers because there's no database on it,
but there it's a wide range between five hundred thousand
and five point seven million. Don't ask me where they
got those numbers of Americans like me. That so it
impacts a lot of people who just have dual citizenship,
let alone the go bag.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
People right well, Housing and employment discrimination continue despite legal protections.
What are some patterns that you're seeing in your practice
and where the gaps?
Speaker 3 (16:42):
So it's the patterns are there's a massive uptick and
employment discrimination, especially again with trans folks, and as the
policies are changing, bathroom policies and needing. You know, again,
there's only two sexes in this country, male and female.
So that and there's a case where oral arguments will
(17:02):
be heard on January thirteenth, so coming up, and it's
called the Heacocks case, Idaho y Heacocks, And it's on
its face around the issue of whether trans folks can
play collegiate sports or sports in you to again, the
gender the sex that they identify as as opposed to
the sex assigned at birth.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
So that's on its face what the case is about.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
But legally, just prudentially, what's happening in that case is
whether the Supreme Court will decide whether to apply rational
basis intermediate scrutiny or strict scrutiny, So not to get
into the weeds, but that is huge because the Supreme Court,
if you're a protected class, which we have been up
(17:48):
until this case, that if it involves LGBTQ issues. A
case decided in twenty twenty Boss Doc v. Clayton, which
gave us employment discrimination said that l GBTQ issues rest
on sex, and sex is part of the nineteen sixty
four Civil Rights Act of male female being fired for
being a woman right that that rests on sex. And
(18:12):
so basically, any discrimination towards LGBTQ folks, whether it's trans
or lesbian, right like, it rests on that, and so
therefore we deserve strict scrutiny. Any law that is anti
LGBTQ needs to meet the strictest of scrutiny, which is
very hard to do in order to be legal. Rational
(18:34):
basis means if the government feels like it, it's probably
going to be legal. Like rational intermediate is in between.
So my thought is and a lot of folks that
in this case, they're going to choose rational basis to
decide whether or not this school's policy of not allowing
trans folks to participate in the gender that they identify with,
(18:59):
that they'll use a rational basis for that policy, and
then forever changing. Moving forward, all laws that LGBTQ folks
are decided under now rational basis, so that will change
the makeup moving forward, a new case around employment discrimination
can come up, and so the pattern that we're seeing
(19:20):
is a huge uptick in discrimination against trans folks because
they can and that that has to work its way
up to the Supreme Court. By the time it does,
the Heacock case will have been decided, and chances are
so oral arguments in January will get that case in June.
They like to give us horrible cases in Pride month,
and then we'll have rational basis and then it'll be
(19:43):
much harder for LGBTQ folks to find protection in the law.
Speaker 2 (19:47):
If that is the case.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
Well, currently, what's the deal in Pennsylvania Because my understanding
and maybe correct me if I'm wrong, is that lgbtqia
plus employment rights don't really exist overall from a state perspective. Philadelphia, yes,
because you know, we're progressive that way, but not the state.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
Is that correct exactly?
Speaker 1 (20:09):
Yep?
Speaker 3 (20:09):
So there, Pennsylvania has sixty seven municipalities in a little
more than half Chester County just.
Speaker 2 (20:15):
A couple weeks ago. Right, so very very new, but
it's you're right.
Speaker 3 (20:20):
On a state level, we do not have statewide discrimination
protection in Pennsylvania. But then the twenty twenty case, I said,
Bostock v. Clayton, that gave us federal protection. So prior
to twenty twenty, with the Bostock case, which gave us
federal protections, folks would call me and say I've been
discriminated against at work. My first question had to be where.
Speaker 2 (20:42):
Do you live.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
If it was Philadelphia County, we could keep the conversation
going up until a couple weeks ago.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
If it was Chester County, I'm sorry.
Speaker 3 (20:50):
Right, So, then Bostock was decided in twenty twenty, which
gave us federal protections EEOC and federal protection. So, okay,
you're in Pennsylvania, you know you're in Chester County. You
got nothing, but will file in federal court. We have something. Right,
So as of right now, boss talk is still law.
There is still federal you know, nationwide protection for folks
(21:12):
in Pennsylvania who happen to live in one of these
municipalities or counties without protection.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
Let's talk about what we can do both folks who
are in the community, but also for allies like me.
So what can we do to support our LGBTQIA plus
brothers and sisters.
Speaker 3 (21:34):
Yeah, I would say they're the same, whether you're LGBTQA
plus and or an ally. The things that all of
us can do for the LGBTQ plus community. Everyone is
an ally to someone, right as a lesbian, I'm an
ally to a transperson. As a gay man, you're an
ally to a lesbian, as an ally you as a
(21:54):
SISHT woman, you're an ally to me as a lesbian,
you're an ally to trans folks. So everyone, the only
way we get through this, Lorraine is together, Okay. And
we've been doing this show for over a decade, and
for over a decade we've said that what impacts one
person impacts everyone.
Speaker 2 (22:10):
Yes, and we that's seen.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
Us through the Obama Hope days, through the you know,
up and down.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
At the end of the day, we've always had issues.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
Right if your other in any way, be it black,
be it female, be it you know, not able bodied,
whatever your other is, right, that knapsack of privilege, right,
and depending on what it is, as if your other
in some way. Things are harder for marginalized folks, and
now more than ever, most communities are on the chopping block. Us,
(22:41):
along with women, along with black folks, a long brown
you know, black brown people, we're all on the chopping block.
And the only way we get through this is together.
So what can we do be an ally? I say that,
but it you know, we've been saying that for decades,
but it's just it's so real.
Speaker 2 (22:57):
You could save a life by listening to someone.
Speaker 3 (23:00):
You could save a life just by inviting someone over
for Thanksgiving. The amount of folks that have broken with
their family, that are no contact with their family these days,
So truly truly being an ally obviously voting, donating, marching,
all the things.
Speaker 1 (23:15):
Yeah, all the things.
Speaker 2 (23:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:17):
And also I always like to bring this up each
and every time we speak, and that is the importance
of making sure that you're solid on the legal standpoint,
whether you have a will or all those things related
to how you want your family to receive whatever the
rights are related to you. So tell us just kind
(23:40):
of go through that real quick for us what people
need to do. And it's not just lgbtqia, but but
all of us need to take care everyone.
Speaker 2 (23:48):
Yeah, I mean I always.
Speaker 3 (23:51):
I just gave a talk to the National Veterinarians Association
around this very topic. They love my chiuaala, by the way,
but you have to differentiate and discern between marriage and
estate planning. Right, So with marriage comes one thousand, one
hundred and thirty eight state and federal privileges.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
Nothing to sneeze at.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
In Canada there are four, but with only privilege benefits,
zero power. I got passionate around LGBTQ state planning with
the Terry Schaibo case, straight married CIS couple. He was
not her health care power of attorney. She did not
have an advance directive. If you don't remember the Terry
Schivo case, Lower Marian couple moved to Floridas, she was
(24:32):
twenty nine years old, had a heart attack.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
They didn't have anything. They didn't have a house, didn't
have kids, had nothing. Who has a state planning.
Speaker 3 (24:38):
You don't even have a You don't have anything, right, right,
and so they had no estate planning. He was not
her health care power of attorney. Mom wanted hard life support.
He said that's not what she would have wanted. She
was in a she was in a vegetative, persistent vegetative state,
and he duked it out in litigation for eight years.
She languished on life support for fifteen years nineteen ninety
(24:59):
to tw I entered law school in two thousand and four,
and quickly that's when I had the aha moment. She
died a few months later. Of Wow, if a straight
married couple can't effectuate the wishes that they have for
one another because they're not in writing, what do LGBTQ
folks think, long before marriage equality? What power do we have?
So at the end of the day, you think marriage,
(25:19):
you think privilege, You think is state planning, you think
power trans folks, there's additional writers around your gender firming care,
making sure you have an advocate for you that will
make sure you continue to get the healthcare that you
deserve and need.
Speaker 2 (25:32):
Right durable power of attorney, who's making healthcare, who's making
legal financial decisions for you?
Speaker 3 (25:37):
Your last will and testament, Your revocable trust which removes
from probate, which is that court proceeding where anyone who
disagrees can.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
Follow a petition.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
Right if you have pets and as apposed to human babies,
if you have fair babies, where do they go?
Speaker 2 (25:48):
All the things? So you think marriage, you.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
Think privilege, you think is state planning, you think power.
We deserve them both. But if I were going to
an island tonight, I was still I could only take
one thing with me, privilege or power, I would choose
power time and.
Speaker 1 (26:00):
Again yeah, well so again one needs to have all
those things in place. And those are the things that
people tend to avoid doing because you know, we don't
like to think about death.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Obviously, you're busy living to be worried about.
Speaker 1 (26:15):
Ing, right exactly. But the fact is that we need
to think about that. We need to protect our families,
our partners, our wives, our husbands, all those things. Whether
you're a SIS person like me myself, or if you
are at LGBTQIA plus, these are things that need to
get done, and probably now more than ever, particularly in
(26:35):
the community, that is very, very critical that people take
care of that. And it's not about thinking about you know, well,
I'm going to die someday. No, it's really about protecting
your family.
Speaker 3 (26:46):
Well and most most estate planning attorneys, traditional estate planning
worry about death and disability.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
Shocker spoiler alert, We're all going to die, right, and
we're going to plan.
Speaker 3 (26:55):
For it, and we may never become incapacitated. We may
live our whole lives and film and louise it right
off the cliff and then just that right right, that's
the goal. That's the goal. But like post election ice
workshops that I did for restaurant owners, I wanted to
protect their undocumented workers. The one document we gave five
each other, the durable power of attorney. If someone's detained,
who's paying their mortgage, they get out nine months later,
(27:18):
their leases terminated, their stuffs outside right, everybody needs these documents.
The my documents, the majority of my documents are actually
focused on how to live more seamlessly as a marginalized community.
The death part's easy, we can plan for that outset
of probate all the things. How to live more seamlessly
as a marginalized community in this country, that's hard, and
(27:39):
these documents can help you.
Speaker 1 (27:40):
Do that absolutely well. Angela Dimpolo. If people want to
know more about that aspect, because that's what your specialty is,
how do they find out more? And also how do
they follow you and all the work that you do.
You've got a blog, you've got the Caravan of Hope
that I'm sure will be kicking off in a couple
of months. Tell us all the things.
Speaker 3 (27:58):
Yeah, so you can find men and your gay Lawyer, YouTube,
your gay Lawyer TikTok Gay Lawyer, and my website champololaw
dot com. The Caravan of Pope is kicking off March
of twenty twenty six. That's my nonprofit that I came
up with where I travel five thousand miles and stop
in fourteen cities providing pro bono legal services to LGBTQ
(28:20):
folks in rural and underserved areas. So you can also
follow me a Caravan of Football GBT on Instagram as
we go around the country and do that as well.
Speaker 1 (28:29):
Fantastic Angela Gmpolo. She comes to us once a month
for our speak Out segment where we talk about issues
related to the LGBTQI plus community but also how they
impact all of us because we are all in this together.
Angela gmpolo is with gmpolo Law and Philly Gay Lawyer
and Caravan of Hope as always, Thank you so much
(28:50):
for shedding light on these important issues and how we
all can work together as allies to move forward in
this world because things are tough and we need to
support each other. So thank you, Angela.
Speaker 3 (29:01):
As always, as always, thank you.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
You can listen to all of today's interviews by going
to our station website and typing in keyword Community. You
can also listen on the iHeartRadio app Keywords Philadelphia Community Podcast.
Follow me on Twitter and Instagram at Lorraine Ballard. I'm
Lorraine Ballard MOREL and I stand for service to our
community and media that empowers. What will you stand for?
(29:25):
You've been listening to what's going on, and thank you
Good morning, and welcome to What's going on? A show
about making a difference in our lives and our communities.
I'm Lorraine Ballard Morrel. We'll be talking with Angela Giampaolo
of Gimpolo Law for our once a month feature speak Out,
which explores issues impacting the lgbt QIA plus community and
how they intersect with the broader population. This week, Angela
(00:23):
breaks down alarming new legislation that could have major implications
for all people with dual citizenship or those considering applying
for that status. But first, I want you to picture
this a massive SWAT truck, police officers and squad cars
and vans rolling up with hundreds of Christmas presents for
(00:46):
families in the Kensington area. The initiative is called Christmas Babies,
founded by Philadelphia Police officer Ashley Capaldi, a dedicated eighteen
euro veteran who rallies fellow officers and community volunteers to
brighten the holidays for families in need. The campaign grows
every year, and this season the need is greater than ever.
(01:08):
The partnership between Christmas Babies, SWAT and community leaders represents
the best of Philadelphia neighbors coming together to meet urgent
needs with heart and generosity. Each year, SWAT vehicles head
to secure locations where volunteers organize and distribute gifts to
families across Kensington and surrounding neighborhoods, creating lasting memories and
(01:31):
strengthening the spirit of the season. You can help by
visiting Christmasbabies dot com. Together, we can ensure that every
child feels the magic, joy and love of the holiday season.
And now for the show Today, on our monthly speak
Out segment, we welcome back Angela Giampolo of Geompolo Law
(01:53):
and Philly Gay Lawyer. Angela is a leading voice on
lgbtqia plus rights and advocacy of legal insight and real
world perspectives on issues impacting the lgbtqia plus individuals and families,
but also talking about how these issues impact all of us.
With rising legislation targeting queer and trans communities, ongoing safety concerns,
(02:15):
and persistent disparities in healthcare and housing, there has never
been a more crucial time to understand what's at stake.
Angela joins us to break down the top challenges and
what we can do to advance equality and protect LGBTQIA plus. Right, So, Angela,
there's a lot to talk about today. From your legal
and advocacy perspective, what would you say are some of
(02:38):
the most urgent issues facing the LGBTQIA plus community right now?
Speaker 2 (02:44):
You know, unfortunately it's so much.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
There are so many, and I would break it down
based on the how you identify within the LGBTQ plus umbrella. So,
in my opinion, the most pressing as a non trans,
you know, non gender diverse, a non person is the
attacks on trans folks in this country. And it's coming
(03:07):
from every single angle that in unimaginable ways.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
I have chills just thinking about it.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
So, you know, from gender affirming care and the lack
of access to gender firming care, especially for miners, right,
and so many folks who aren't aware of the science
around it think that, you know, miners shouldn't be making
such a.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Big decision so young, right.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
I remember I was on a board of a nonprofit
that gave a grant to parents of a two year
old who was trying to self castrate at two years old. Right,
Like children and the sooner, the life saving measures that
gender firming care for minors provides because they haven't hit
puberty yet, this whole flood of hormones hasn't occurred, their
(03:56):
Adams Apple hasn't started. Like, it's just so much easier,
and the studies show that their mental health progression through
their lifetime is so much better the sooner that. But
now with gender firming care, you know, on the chopping
block for minors, you have all of those kids not
able to access it. You have passports right not able
(04:19):
to be issued in the gender that they identify with
instead the sex assigned at birth. I have clients with
full on beards whose legal name is John with an
F and their passport and it's quite frankly dangerous going
through borders right for trans folks. It's just not safe
(04:40):
to travel that way. And so and you know, again
not to speak to just the demeaning and dehumanizing impact
that that has on that person when they got their
passport back and it says F for the first time
in fifteen years, twenty years, however.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Long I have, you know, folks that were there.
Speaker 3 (04:59):
Was a a case that went up to the Supreme
Court around an injunction, and there was a moment in
time for the last six months where trans folks could
have gotten their passport. But and now, just a couple
of days ago, the White House updated their website to
say they may be invalidating every so up until a
few days ago, it was when you renew your passport,
(05:22):
it will have to be renewed in the sex assigned
at birth. But if you have ten years left on
your passport, you're good for the next ten years. But
when you go to renew it, it is what it is,
it'll be back to f right.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
And so there has been some talk just.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
Based on the White House website, or if we invalidate
your passport, these three four words were added to the website,
and so there's some talk that every trans person's passports
could just be unilaterally invalidated to the extent that they
have a list of those folks and new passports sent
out the FBI, and talk about creating a whole new
(05:57):
group of terrorists called for trans folks nihilistic terrorist extremists.
Classifying trans folks as nihilistic terroristic extremists.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Can't take it.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
Wait a second, it is really bad. That sounds terrible,
but what is that even very very bad? I mean,
just by being transit, you're by definition a.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Terrorist exactly that that that by definition you are suspect,
and so like that is the country in which these
folks are existing and operating in. Wow? Right, I mean
what that does again to someone's mental health, the fear
of being on a list? Right, So in that that
was just proposed by that has not been created. You know,
(06:40):
that didn't get created. That group doesn't yet exist. But
it happened after the Charlie Kirk assassination. And when you
know trans person, not his in particular, but the assassination
before that was done by a trans person, and so
that was the beginning of you know, trans people are
dangerous and we should create this new extremist group called
(07:04):
the NTE.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Wow, that's incredible. Who turned themselves into a pretzel coming
up with that designation?
Speaker 2 (07:13):
That is crazy.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Well, let's dig back into the anti trans legislation across
the country. Talk to us about some of these policies.
You mentioned a couple that already are starting to take place,
and we're already seeing at the White House level. I
think there was the a person who a trans individual
who used to be I think our director of Health
(07:38):
and Human Services here in Pennsylvania. But she went to
work for the government, and on her portrait I guess
her picture, they changed her designation.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
To mail Admiral Rachel Levine.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
Right, thank you, yeah yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
And then removed Rachel Levine and put her dead name
right right.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Yeah. So so we're seeing this.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
I mean, that's not so much a policy so much
as and a lot of trans folks will reach out
to me and ask, like, you know, especially around marriage equality.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
Right.
Speaker 3 (08:11):
So again we go to my avatar trans client, John
with the big beard, right, but sex assigned up birth
was female. Now if John is married to Julie as
we stand here today, and the marriage certificate says John
and Julie. But where the federal government is going with
(08:31):
this is that being trans in and of itself doesn't exist.
That you can't be transgender because that does not exist.
There are only two sexes in this country that was
set on Inauguration Day. There are only two sexes that
the federal government recognizes.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Male, female.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
So that stands to reason that they are extrapolating from
that that transgender doesn't exist, and if hence removing Rachel
Leban and putting up a dead name because Rachel Levin
can't exist, trans folks can't operate in the military. We
need to remove them because there's something.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Wrong with them.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
They aren't able to defend this country, right. And so
something that I think exceeds the boundary of a policy
is full on a nihilism and saying you don't exist.
So to go back to John and Julie, that means
if assigned at birth that was Joanne and their dead
(09:36):
name is Joanne. Really they're not in as cis marriage.
They are in a same sex marriage because it's Joanne.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
And Julie, gotcha.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
Yeah, So more so than any policy that the government can,
you know, enact an anti trans legislation and all of
the things, what goes at the heart of it is
the erasure and the erasing of that group of people,
and hence removing Admiral Levine's name as it legally currently
(10:08):
is in this country and putting her name assigned up birth.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
We were talking before we got started on this interview
about a change, a potential change in policy that not
only impacts LGBTQIA because there are significant numbers of people
who are planning to move to another country, try to
get a dual citizenship, et cetera, but LGBTQIA not just
(10:32):
that group, but there are plenty of other people who
are thinking, yes, Spain is looking pretty good right now,
or Italy or whatever, ready, right right, get that go
bag ready, But there is a potential policy change that
could really interfere with people's ability to do exactly that,
to maintain that dual citizenship. Tell us more about that.
(10:53):
That was new for me. I had not heard this,
So tell us more.
Speaker 3 (10:57):
It's a shocker. It's a shocker. It's brand news, so
you know you didn't miss it kind of thing. But
it was a bill enacted by Republican in Ohio, Bill Marino,
called the Exclusive Citizenship Act, which would serve to end
dual citizenship in this country. I am a dual citizen
of the US in Canada, born here.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
Doesn't matter, right. Anyone with a.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
Dual citizenship would, if this bill was enacted, would be
asked to be given one year. So I would have
one year from the date the bill becomes law in
which to renounce my Canadian citizenship in writing to Canada
and CC the.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Department of State.
Speaker 3 (11:39):
And if I did not comply, if I did nothing,
and or if I renounced the US citizenship, I would,
but if I did nothing and the year passed, I
would be deemed to have forfeited my US citizenship, and
then I would be deemed a foreign alien subject to deportation.
So the idea being is it's trying to find in quotes.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Who is truly American. Right.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
Then let's say the bill is law, it becomes law,
and you then.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Want to become a Portuguese citizen.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
You want the golden beez in Portugal, or you want
to go to Spain if you become a citizen of
a second country after this bill, So you know this
bill is law, and despite knowing that you went and
got Portuguese citizenship, you will have been deemed to automatically
have forfeited your US citizenship. So I've done some deep digging,
both for LGBTQ folks, for you.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
Know, my allied community that.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
Wants to get their go bag ready, as well as
for myself because I am obviously impacted by what happens,
and there are some serious constitutional issues with it. So
you know I don't there are two Supreme Court cases
because let's say it became law, there are two things happening.
It could become law knowing that it would be deemed
unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, but they want just to
(13:01):
create the fear. They call it billboard politics. Put this
on a billboard. Who's American McCarthy era style lavender list
the building? Who are the communists? Who are the defectors?
Who's trying to get a go bag?
Speaker 2 (13:15):
Ready?
Speaker 3 (13:16):
We're going to find you a billboard politics where they
know it wouldn't survive Supreme Court constitutional muster, but they
get it out there. Adjudge, you know, issues an injunction.
It doesn't go into effect until it works its way
up to the Supreme Court, right, but it's still it's
out there. It causes people fear, concern. The news media
(13:36):
will get all over it, and people will get it twisted,
and news speeds will get it all twisted. And you know,
you know, no offense how the news works, and so.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
No offense taken. I agree with you, but anyway, thank you.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
But there are two cases, one decided in nineteen sixty seven,
one decided in nineteen eighty saying that Congress doesn't have
the power to force the US citizen to give up
their citizenship, that only US citisen can do it, and
they have to demonstrate intent to want to do it.
The Marinal law tries to get around that by saying,
if I didn't comply in a year, if I didn't
(14:14):
do the thing, then that is me acquiescing. I've through
my complacency or through my inaction, I have acquiesced, and
I have voluntarily relinquished my US citizenship because I didn't
do the one thing or the other. And it's not
directly on point, but this one Supreme Court case says
that's not enough. Angela has to want to want to
(14:35):
give up her US citizenship, not that she failed to
comply with your law and the lack of doing so
means that she acquiesced on that that's not enough because
maybe she didn't know about it, and she needs to
know about it and want to do it. So there's
constitutional issues with the law, but it's out there. It's
where we're at, you know, when we talk about just
(14:57):
the political temperature in the room, and it's that's.
Speaker 2 (15:01):
Where we're at.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
So yeah, you know, I'm telling folks, if you are
looking into golden visas or by heritage, if you can
become a citizen of another country, a client of mind
by virtue of being Puerto Rican and having lived in
Puerto Rico, she's able to get Spain a citizenship in
Spain by virtue of that.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
So if you have these things, explore them, continue to
explore them.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
It just got read in the House, it got referred
to committee. It's brand new, it's working its way up.
Even if it became law, then it would be two
years before it went to the Supreme Court. So we're
three to three and a half years away from any
final decision on it.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
So get your go bag ready and at least and
you have a choice.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
Yeah right, if.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
This becomes a thing, but you stopped right now trying
to get that Spanish citizenship, then you won't have an
option in the future. So do all the things now
and then if you're forced to decide, at least you
have options.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
Wow, that is crazy, and that is some that does
affect not only the LGBTQI plus community, but anyone who's
interested in the dual citizenship. And I know quite a
few people who do have dual citizenship, like you, my
resend who say yeah, who.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
They don't have exact numbers because there's no database on it,
but there it's a wide range between five hundred thousand
and five point seven million. Don't ask me where they
got those numbers of Americans like me. That so it
impacts a lot of people who just have dual citizenship,
let alone the go bag.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
People right well, Housing and employment discrimination continue despite legal protections.
What are some patterns that you're seeing in your practice
and where the gaps?
Speaker 3 (16:42):
So it's the patterns are there's a massive uptick and
employment discrimination, especially again with trans folks, and as the
policies are changing, bathroom policies and needing. You know, again,
there's only two sexes in this country, male and female.
So that and there's a case where oral arguments will
(17:02):
be heard on January thirteenth, so coming up, and it's
called the Heacocks case, Idaho y Heacocks, And it's on
its face around the issue of whether trans folks can
play collegiate sports or sports in you to again, the
gender the sex that they identify as as opposed to
the sex assigned at birth.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
So that's on its face what the case is about.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
But legally, just prudentially, what's happening in that case is
whether the Supreme Court will decide whether to apply rational
basis intermediate scrutiny or strict scrutiny, So not to get
into the weeds, but that is huge because the Supreme Court,
if you're a protected class, which we have been up
(17:48):
until this case, that if it involves LGBTQ issues. A
case decided in twenty twenty Boss Doc v. Clayton, which
gave us employment discrimination said that l GBTQ issues rest
on sex, and sex is part of the nineteen sixty
four Civil Rights Act of male female being fired for
being a woman right that that rests on sex. And
(18:12):
so basically, any discrimination towards LGBTQ folks, whether it's trans
or lesbian, right like, it rests on that, and so
therefore we deserve strict scrutiny. Any law that is anti
LGBTQ needs to meet the strictest of scrutiny, which is
very hard to do in order to be legal. Rational
(18:34):
basis means if the government feels like it, it's probably
going to be legal. Like rational intermediate is in between.
So my thought is and a lot of folks that
in this case, they're going to choose rational basis to
decide whether or not this school's policy of not allowing
trans folks to participate in the gender that they identify with,
(18:59):
that they'll use a rational basis for that policy, and
then forever changing. Moving forward, all laws that LGBTQ folks
are decided under now rational basis, so that will change
the makeup moving forward, a new case around employment discrimination
can come up, and so the pattern that we're seeing
(19:20):
is a huge uptick in discrimination against trans folks because
they can and that that has to work its way
up to the Supreme Court. By the time it does,
the Heacock case will have been decided, and chances are
so oral arguments in January will get that case in June.
They like to give us horrible cases in Pride month,
and then we'll have rational basis and then it'll be
(19:43):
much harder for LGBTQ folks to find protection in the law.
Speaker 2 (19:47):
If that is the case.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
Well, currently, what's the deal in Pennsylvania Because my understanding
and maybe correct me if I'm wrong, is that lgbtqia
plus employment rights don't really exist overall from a state perspective. Philadelphia, yes,
because you know, we're progressive that way, but not the state.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
Is that correct exactly?
Speaker 1 (20:09):
Yep?
Speaker 3 (20:09):
So there, Pennsylvania has sixty seven municipalities in a little
more than half Chester County just.
Speaker 2 (20:15):
A couple weeks ago. Right, so very very new, but
it's you're right.
Speaker 3 (20:20):
On a state level, we do not have statewide discrimination
protection in Pennsylvania. But then the twenty twenty case, I said,
Bostock v. Clayton, that gave us federal protection. So prior
to twenty twenty, with the Bostock case, which gave us
federal protections, folks would call me and say I've been
discriminated against at work. My first question had to be where.
Speaker 2 (20:42):
Do you live.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
If it was Philadelphia County, we could keep the conversation
going up until a couple weeks ago.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
If it was Chester County, I'm sorry.
Speaker 3 (20:50):
Right, So, then Bostock was decided in twenty twenty, which
gave us federal protections EEOC and federal protection. So, okay,
you're in Pennsylvania, you know you're in Chester County. You
got nothing, but will file in federal court. We have something. Right,
So as of right now, boss talk is still law.
There is still federal you know, nationwide protection for folks
(21:12):
in Pennsylvania who happen to live in one of these
municipalities or counties without protection.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
Let's talk about what we can do both folks who
are in the community, but also for allies like me.
So what can we do to support our LGBTQIA plus
brothers and sisters.
Speaker 3 (21:34):
Yeah, I would say they're the same, whether you're LGBTQA
plus and or an ally. The things that all of
us can do for the LGBTQ plus community. Everyone is
an ally to someone, right as a lesbian, I'm an
ally to a transperson. As a gay man, you're an
ally to a lesbian, as an ally you as a
(21:54):
SISHT woman, you're an ally to me as a lesbian,
you're an ally to trans folks. So everyone, the only
way we get through this, Lorraine is together, Okay. And
we've been doing this show for over a decade, and
for over a decade we've said that what impacts one
person impacts everyone.
Speaker 2 (22:10):
Yes, and we that's seen.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
Us through the Obama Hope days, through the you know,
up and down.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
At the end of the day, we've always had issues.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
Right if your other in any way, be it black,
be it female, be it you know, not able bodied,
whatever your other is, right, that knapsack of privilege, right,
and depending on what it is, as if your other
in some way. Things are harder for marginalized folks, and
now more than ever, most communities are on the chopping block. Us,
(22:41):
along with women, along with black folks, a long brown
you know, black brown people, we're all on the chopping block.
And the only way we get through this is together.
So what can we do be an ally? I say that,
but it you know, we've been saying that for decades,
but it's just it's so real.
Speaker 2 (22:57):
You could save a life by listening to someone.
Speaker 3 (23:00):
You could save a life just by inviting someone over
for Thanksgiving. The amount of folks that have broken with
their family, that are no contact with their family these days,
So truly truly being an ally obviously voting, donating, marching,
all the things.
Speaker 1 (23:15):
Yeah, all the things.
Speaker 2 (23:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:17):
And also I always like to bring this up each
and every time we speak, and that is the importance
of making sure that you're solid on the legal standpoint,
whether you have a will or all those things related
to how you want your family to receive whatever the
rights are related to you. So tell us just kind
(23:40):
of go through that real quick for us what people
need to do. And it's not just lgbtqia, but but
all of us need to take care everyone.
Speaker 2 (23:48):
Yeah, I mean I always.
Speaker 3 (23:51):
I just gave a talk to the National Veterinarians Association
around this very topic. They love my chiuaala, by the way,
but you have to differentiate and discern between marriage and
estate planning. Right, So with marriage comes one thousand, one
hundred and thirty eight state and federal privileges.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
Nothing to sneeze at.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
In Canada there are four, but with only privilege benefits,
zero power. I got passionate around LGBTQ state planning with
the Terry Schaibo case, straight married CIS couple. He was
not her health care power of attorney. She did not
have an advance directive. If you don't remember the Terry
Schivo case, Lower Marian couple moved to Floridas, she was
(24:32):
twenty nine years old, had a heart attack.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
They didn't have anything. They didn't have a house, didn't
have kids, had nothing. Who has a state planning.
Speaker 3 (24:38):
You don't even have a You don't have anything, right, right,
and so they had no estate planning. He was not
her health care power of attorney. Mom wanted hard life support.
He said that's not what she would have wanted. She
was in a she was in a vegetative, persistent vegetative state,
and he duked it out in litigation for eight years.
She languished on life support for fifteen years nineteen ninety
(24:59):
to tw I entered law school in two thousand and four,
and quickly that's when I had the aha moment. She
died a few months later. Of Wow, if a straight
married couple can't effectuate the wishes that they have for
one another because they're not in writing, what do LGBTQ
folks think, long before marriage equality? What power do we have?
So at the end of the day, you think marriage,
(25:19):
you think privilege, You think is state planning, you think
power trans folks, there's additional writers around your gender firming care,
making sure you have an advocate for you that will
make sure you continue to get the healthcare that you
deserve and need.
Speaker 2 (25:32):
Right durable power of attorney, who's making healthcare, who's making
legal financial decisions for you?
Speaker 3 (25:37):
Your last will and testament, Your revocable trust which removes
from probate, which is that court proceeding where anyone who
disagrees can.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
Follow a petition.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
Right if you have pets and as apposed to human babies,
if you have fair babies, where do they go?
Speaker 2 (25:48):
All the things? So you think marriage, you.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
Think privilege, you think is state planning, you think power.
We deserve them both. But if I were going to
an island tonight, I was still I could only take
one thing with me, privilege or power, I would choose
power time and.
Speaker 1 (26:00):
Again yeah, well so again one needs to have all
those things in place. And those are the things that
people tend to avoid doing because you know, we don't
like to think about death.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Obviously, you're busy living to be worried about.
Speaker 1 (26:15):
Ing, right exactly. But the fact is that we need
to think about that. We need to protect our families,
our partners, our wives, our husbands, all those things. Whether
you're a SIS person like me myself, or if you
are at LGBTQIA plus, these are things that need to
get done, and probably now more than ever, particularly in
(26:35):
the community, that is very, very critical that people take
care of that. And it's not about thinking about you know, well,
I'm going to die someday. No, it's really about protecting
your family.
Speaker 3 (26:46):
Well and most most estate planning attorneys, traditional estate planning
worry about death and disability.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
Shocker spoiler alert, We're all going to die, right, and
we're going to plan.
Speaker 3 (26:55):
For it, and we may never become incapacitated. We may
live our whole lives and film and louise it right
off the cliff and then just that right right, that's
the goal. That's the goal. But like post election ice
workshops that I did for restaurant owners, I wanted to
protect their undocumented workers. The one document we gave five
each other, the durable power of attorney. If someone's detained,
who's paying their mortgage, they get out nine months later,
(27:18):
their leases terminated, their stuffs outside right, everybody needs these documents.
The my documents, the majority of my documents are actually
focused on how to live more seamlessly as a marginalized community.
The death part's easy, we can plan for that outset
of probate all the things. How to live more seamlessly
as a marginalized community in this country, that's hard, and
(27:39):
these documents can help you.
Speaker 1 (27:40):
Do that absolutely well. Angela Dimpolo. If people want to
know more about that aspect, because that's what your specialty is,
how do they find out more? And also how do
they follow you and all the work that you do.
You've got a blog, you've got the Caravan of Hope
that I'm sure will be kicking off in a couple
of months. Tell us all the things.
Speaker 3 (27:58):
Yeah, so you can find men and your gay Lawyer, YouTube,
your gay Lawyer TikTok Gay Lawyer, and my website champololaw
dot com. The Caravan of Pope is kicking off March
of twenty twenty six. That's my nonprofit that I came
up with where I travel five thousand miles and stop
in fourteen cities providing pro bono legal services to LGBTQ
(28:20):
folks in rural and underserved areas. So you can also
follow me a Caravan of Football GBT on Instagram as
we go around the country and do that as well.
Speaker 1 (28:29):
Fantastic Angela Gmpolo. She comes to us once a month
for our speak Out segment where we talk about issues
related to the LGBTQI plus community but also how they
impact all of us because we are all in this together.
Angela gmpolo is with gmpolo Law and Philly Gay Lawyer
and Caravan of Hope as always, Thank you so much
(28:50):
for shedding light on these important issues and how we
all can work together as allies to move forward in
this world because things are tough and we need to
support each other. So thank you, Angela.
Speaker 3 (29:01):
As always, as always, thank you.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
You can listen to all of today's interviews by going
to our station website and typing in keyword Community. You
can also listen on the iHeartRadio app Keywords Philadelphia Community Podcast.
Follow me on Twitter and Instagram at Lorraine Ballard. I'm
Lorraine Ballard MOREL and I stand for service to our
community and media that empowers. What will you stand for?
(29:25):
You've been listening to what's going on, and thank you
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