Book Review: LGBTQ2+ Law: Practice Issues and Analysis

  • December 09, 2019
  • Eric Sadvari, Goldhart & Associates

LGBTQ2+ Law: Practice Issues and Analysis provides a comprehensive and inclusive overview of all areas of Canadian law as they impact, and are impacted by, LGBTQ2+ specific issues.  

General editor, Joanna Radbord has created a book that is as easy and engaging as it is practical and informative. It contains all of the expected practice-area-specific chapters (on Family Law, Criminal Law, Immigration, etc.), but is also refreshingly punctuated by short, personal essays that illustrate and humanize the legal issues discussed. It is an essential text for anyone practicing family law in our increasingly diverse society. It is also an approachable, enjoyable, and even (at times) emotional read.  

Joanna is perhaps the leading expert on LGBTQ2+ law in Canada, having been directly involved in (and often responsible for) many of the court cases that have paved the way forward on numerous issues. When not leading the charge for LGBTQ2+ specific legal reform, Joanna practices family law at Martha McCarthy & Company LLP. The book’s other authors are generally equally impressive, and include notable LGBTQ2+ allies, champions, and heroes. (Although, for a book that is national in scope, it is notable that the overwhelming majority of authors are Toronto-based.)

The writing is uniformly clear. Legal issues are canvassed in an uncomplicated manner, ensuring you don’t need to be a subject matter expert to understand each chapter. However, that also means that on many topics the book only offers an overview rather than an in-depth analysis.