When there’s a loss in cabin pressure, the first thing you’re instructed to do is put on your own mask. The same principle applies to the horrific times we find ourselves in. So much is coming at us on a macro level, that it’s completely overwhelming. But if you start by getting your own house in order, you’ll be in a better position to then map out what to do within your community, city, and nation.
Knowing the community was fearful of what was to come after an election where the victor spent nearly $215 million demonizing us, Sara Marler of Marler Law Partners assembled a fierce, all-female legal team to conduct the LGBTQ Legal Summit, which was held in St. Louis this past November.
Sara Marler, Founder of Marler Law Partners
The consensus of the panelists was that same-sex marriage is likely to be overturned, but those already married may be “grandfathered in,” and have their marriages legally recognized. Regardless of your marriage status, however, panelists said everyone should have a Medical Power of Attorney in place. If something happens to you or a loved one, you don’t want the same MAGA relative who voted your rights away calling the life and death shots.
“I was approached by a number of people after the November legal summit expressing their fears about their spouse not being permitted to make medical decisions for them if their marriage was overturned,” said attorney Tammy Druar Repaso. “Some shared stories of their terrible experiences prior to the legalization of their marriage, where they were hospitalized, unable to make their own medical decisions, and estranged family members were making decisions instead of their chosen partner and chosen family who knew them best. Having a properly drafted and executed medical Power of Attorney can help prevent these situations from occurring, which is why I felt it was important to offer to help the LGBTQ+ community get these documents in place.”
Repaso and the team decided to hold Power of Attorney Clinics, where they could help community members set up their POA free of charge. The next event will be at Columbia’s Arch & Column Pub on June 19. The event will run from 6:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. The process to complete your POA, which will take about half an hour, will be conducted in back-to-back sessions. The fabulous Veronika Versace is hosting the event.
The event is open to all members of the LGBTQ community. Please RSVP by calling Marler Law Partners at 314-782-1415, or emailing them at [email protected] so they can be prepared to accommodate everyone.
To prepare for the Medical Power of Attorney Clinic, make sure to bring with you:
-A valid ID (the notary will need to see this to notarize the documents
-The legal name, address, and phone number of your chosen decision-maker and the same for one or two alternate decision-makers
-If you’ve filled out the forms in advance, bring those as well.
