Celebrating GBLS at the 2026 Annual Meeting
Summer 2026 Newsletter
June 2026
Dear friends,
GBLS works to ensure justice and fairness for everyone in our community. From commemorating Pride Month through staff festivities and exciting new legal work, to fighting for the liberty and safety for our immigrant clients and community members in the face of increasingly challenging circumstances, to advocating for economic opportunities and second chances for people with criminal records, we are busier than ever this summer. Many hands make light work, however, and we are grateful for our many bright and eager summer interns, our talented volunteers, and our dedicated staff. Read on to learn more about the individuals behind the victories and how you can join us in this important work.
Sincerely,
Jacqui Bowman, Executive Director
GBLS Launches Name Change Clinics
GBLS recently launched a new name change clinic to help transgender community members navigate the legal name change process and obtain documents that better reflect the names they use in their daily lives.
The inaugural clinic, held at the Edward Brooke Courthouse, brought together clients and volunteers—and some participants were able to complete their legal name changes that very same day.
The clinics expand the work of GBLS’ LGBT Family Law Project, and our ongoing commitment to helping LGBTQ+ community members overcome barriers to justice.
Want to learn more about this new initiative and other work happening across GBLS? Sign up for our newsletter to stay connected.
In Conversation with GBLS Staff: Immigration Unit
What inspires someone to pursue immigration law—and what does the work look like during a time of extraordinary challenges for immigrant communities?
We spoke with GBLS Immigration Unit attorneys Annery Miranda and Aly Madan, along with Raissa Rogers, a returning GBLS intern and rising 3L at Northeastern University School of Law, about what brought them to immigration advocacy, the cases that have stayed with them, and the importance of standing alongside immigrant communities.
Their conversation offers a personal look at the people behind GBLS’ immigration work—from helping prevent a client’s imminent deportation to supporting individuals and families navigating an increasingly complex immigration system.
Want to read the full conversation and hear more stories from GBLS? Sign up for our newsletter to stay connected.