Chris Daley Leaves Transgender Law Center

Chris Daley, E.D. of the Transgender Law Center in San Francisco is moving on. I read the announcement with some sadness. TLC grew under Chris’ watchful eye. He’s not transgender, but he is a young, dedicated lawyer who found a cause with a little slice of society that needed his help. I first met Chris when he was the lone attorney working as TLC out of the offices of NCLR (National Center for Lesbian Rights) in San Francisco. He and Shannon Minter, a NCLR attorney, worked tirelessly. TLC grew under Chris. He fought many battles including the murder trail of Gwen Araujo and her mother’s fight to get her name legally changed after her death. But Chris was also there for those of us who needed help with name changes, identification issues, discrimination cases, divorces, and so many other not so glorious causes that afflict the majority of us day to day.

I have many fond memories of Chris when we worked together early in TLC’s infancy. I volunteered only a couple hours every couple weeks, but Chris was always gracious no matter how little time I spent there. And Chris was always respectful of the people who came to see him for help. And nobody who came could afford legal help, but Chris always gave them excellent counsel.

Now TLC is out of its infancy; it is well staffed, doesn’t struggle for funding like in the early days, and fights battles nationwide. Now Chris is leaving his baby to another. It’s only natural, but it leaves me a little melancholy; change is hard. Can you believe a transsexual saying that? I only hope that whoever they find to fill Chris’ shoes comes to TLC with as much care and concern for those they help. TLC will miss you. The community will miss you. I’ll miss you.

For information on the Transgender Law Center: http://www.transgenderlawcenter.org/