
Legal Concerns for Queer Architects: A Conversation
Cost: Cost: FREE - All AIA & AIAS Members; $5 - Students who are not AIAS Members; $20 - Not an AIA member
1.0 AIA LU|Elective
Via Zoom
Organized by the LGBTQIA+ Alliance
In light of the current legal uncertainties and the potential rollback of many hard-earned LGBTQIA+ rights, many of us are considering ways to best protect ourselves, our families, and our livelihoods.
Join us for an insightful conversation with Julie Snell from the LGBT Life Center. We will explore the history of LGBTQIA+ rights in the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia, discuss essential legal documents and directives that LGBTQIA+ architects should consider to safeguard their personal and professional rights, and examine state-specific rights, such as non-discrimination laws, that our community should be aware of.

Julie Snell has worked at various nonprofits and in academia for over 8 years and currently serves as the Director of Housing at the LGBT Life Center. With a Bachelor of Science in Human Services, Master of Arts in Sociology & Criminal Justice, and as a Doctoral Candidate in Criminology at Old Dominion University, she has experience examining the impact of discriminatory laws, policies, and practices across various communities.
Julie believes that housing is healthcare and is passionate about creating affordable as well as sustainable housing options for all members of the community and is dedicated to advocating for equitable policies. A dedicated academic, when not teaching Gender, Sexuality, & Crime at Cristopher Newport University, Julie conducts research about the criminalization of women, LBGTQIA+ folx, and media impacts. In her free time, you can find Julie volunteering with Stonewall Sports, planning Women OUT Front and Sapphic events, and participating in various community activities throughout Hampton Roads.
Learning Objectives:
- Explore the history and current status of LGBTQIA+ rights in the U.S. and Virginia, with a focus on legal challenges that impact queer architects personally and professionally.
- Identify essential legal documents—such as wills, powers of attorney, and business agreements—that queer architects should have in place to protect their families, careers, and financial security.
- Examine Virginia’s non-discrimination laws and licensing considerations to ensure long-term career stability.
- Discuss workplace protections to better advocate for inclusive policies.
AIA NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Provider Number: A058
Course: NOVA2025-012
Session: 1