Happy Calgary Pride!

Calgary Pride is in full swing, having kicked off on August 27, and running through Monday, September 6th. As a family law firm dedicated to providing comprehensive services to Calgary’s LGBTQIA2S+ community, we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight some family-friendly events available at this year’s celebration:

Reading With Royalty, hosted in partnership with the Calgary Public Library, takes place Saturday, Septebmer 4th at Central Memorial Park from 11-12. The event provides an opportunity for families to dress up and hear stories that celebrate individuality, acceptance, and community, read by local drag performers.

Pride Brunch, offered in-person and viturally on Saturday, September 4th from 11-12:30, provides an opportunity to gather, hear camp stories, and raise money for Camp fYrefly, an annual social and educational retreat for queer and trans youth aged 14-24. Go in person at Hotel Arts, or pick up a to-go order, gather with friends, and join the event virtually online.

The Two-Spirit Celebration, on Saturday, September 4th from 11-6 at the Stoney Tribal Administration Front Parking Lot in Morely, is a day-long event to honour Morely, Alberta’s two spirit community members and their allies of Mînî Thnî . There will be an Awareness Walk, BBQ, Flea Market, a Pow-Wow Drum Group, and drag performances.

Committed to Providing Comprehensive and Inclusive Services for LGBTQ2SIA+ Family Issues

As a long-time and proud supporter of the LGBTQ2SIA+ community, Mincher Koeman has always advocated on behalf of clients of all gender identities, expressions, and sexual orientations. We offer our queer and gender diverse clients an environment free of judgment, and full of compassion and understanding.

While our practice is certainly not limited to the LGBTQ2SIA+ world, we want our clients to know we provide supportive and informed advocacy across the spectrum of queer family law issues, including:

• Cohabitation agreements
• Fertility and surrogacy law, including
  • Sperm and egg donation
  • Surrogacy
  • Adoption
  • Unique parenting arrangements and contracts
• Separation
• Divorce

New Associate Jay Moch

We recently welcomed a new associate who will be focused on providing services to our LGBTQIA2S+ clients, Jay Moch. Prior to joining our firm, Jay attended both undergraduate studies and law school at the University of Calgary. During law school, he founded the Calgary Pro Bono Students Canada Trans ID Clinic. The clinic is an initiative, which works in conjunction with the Skipping Stone Foundation, aimed at providing free legal services to assist transgender and gender diverse people with amending and obtaining their legal identification to reflect their affirmed gender identity.

Jay was also a founder and president of the University of Calgary chapter of OUTLaw, a social, educational, and political forum for LGBTQ2SIA+ individuals and their allies to engage in discussion and legal networking, and to promote awareness within the legal and wider communities.

As an LGBTQ2SIA+ individual, Jay is keenly aware of the specific family law considerations unique to the community. He is looking forward to servicing this underrepresented segment of the Calgary population in the years ahead.

Mincher Koeman Wishes Everyone a Safe and Joyous Calgary Pride!

At Mincher Koeman in Calgary, our team treats every client with empathy and compassion above all else. We pride ourselves on offering clients attentive and comprehensive legal services at a law firm that’s accessible and forward-thinking. Please contact our office to make an appointment to discuss your matter with one of our lawyers today online or by calling us at 403-910-3000.