From Book Bans to ByteDance

Thursday, June 12, 2025 | 6:15 pm – 7:30 pm

Format: In-Person

Register for the In-Person Program

Program Chair: Program Moderator & Panel Leader:
Karen Levit
NYC Bar Association LGBTQ+ Rights Committee Member		 Danielle (Danny) King
Attorney & Policy Advocate
Law Office of Danielle C. King, PLLC

  • Bipartisan supporters of state and federal censorship of LGBTQ+ related speech and content, including the removal and restriction of books and online content, often claim to be protecting youth. However, opponents argue these efforts prevent LGBTQ+ youth from accessing critical resources. Join the LGBTQ+ Rights Committee to learn about the impact of recently passed legislation and proposed legislation on LGBTQ+ communities, including LGBTQ+ youth. Panelists will discuss potential challenges to current censorship and content moderation policies, including active litigation, recent cases, and legislation. We will also highlight ways to support the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ communities as these attacks continue.

    Special Feature: Attendees of this CLE program are invited to attend the Pride/Leonard Award Reception immediately following this program at the NYC Bar.

    Program Fee:
    Free for Members | $50 for Nonmember

  • Hayden Cohen
    Co-Founder and State Policy Director
    Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT)

    Justin Harrison
    Senior Policy Counsel New York Civil Liberties Union

    Danielle (Danny) King
    Attorney & Policy Advocate
    Law Office of Danielle C. King, PLLC

    Casey Pick
    Director of Law & Policy Trevor Project

    Jared M. Trujillo
    Associate Professor of Law at CUNY School of Law

  • 6:15 pm – 6:25 pm
    Introductions & Topic Overview

    6:25 pm – 6:40 pm
    Book Bans

    • Overview on how this is an LGBTQ+ issue
    • Book bans in practice
    • Island Trees School District v. Pico, & state constitutional protections
    • Freedom to Read Act in NY & other jurisdictions
      Panel

    6:40 pm – 7:10 pm
    Online Censorship

    • Overview on types of online censorship
    • Jawboning, content moderation, algorithmic moderation
    • Overview of how this impacts LGBTQ+ people
    • Legislation that has passed in NY – SAFE for Kids Act
    • Federal laws – SESTA/FOSTA
    • Federal proposed legislation – Kids Online Safety Act
    • Recent Court Cases – Free Speech Coalition v Paxton, Tik Tok v. Garland, Murthy v. Missouri
    • What is next at the local and federal level
      Panel

    7:10 pm – 7:20 pm
    Policy & Litigation Strategies Moving Forward

    • Privacy Amendment in New York
    • New York bills to expand privacy
    • NY challenges to online censorship efforts
    • Fed. litigation to block censorship efforts
      Panel

    7:20 pm – 7:30 pm
    Q&A/Program Wrap-Up
    Panel

  • New York: 1.5 Professional Practice
    New Jersey: 1.5 General
    California: 1.5 General
    Pennsylvania: 1.0 General
    Connecticut: Available to Licensed Attorneys

  • Sponsoring Association Committee:
    Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Rights, Hayley Gorenberg & Jared M. Trujillo, Co-Chairs
    Children and the Law, Amy R. Hozer-Weber & Christina Rich, Co-Chairs
    Civil Rights, Evan Henley & Molly Thomas-Jensen, Co-Chairs

    Sponsorship Opportunities are Available! Please Contact:
    Yelena Balashchenko, Manager, Business Development & Sponsorships | (212) 382-6608 | ybalashchenko@nycbar.org

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Register for the In-Person Program