Tom Maligno: Unsung Hero

Tom Maligno:
Unsung Hero
By GALFOLI (Gay And Lesbian Foundation Of Long Island)

Tom Maligno, esq. is truly one of the unsung heroes of Long Island's GLBT community. Tom is a native Long Islander, born in Brooklyn, raised in Nassau County, and presently residing in Suffolk with his partner Joe Kenny. After graduating from SUNY – Oswego in 1974, Tom attended Law School at SUNY – Buffalo. He passed the Bar in 1977 and began his distinguished career with Nassau/Suffolk Law Services.

Tom's first year at Law Services was fulfilled as the VISTA attorney, (Volunteer In Service To America) the domestic Peace Corps. His job was grass roots organizing of Long Island's poor. He quickly advanced to staff attorney, Managing attorney and Pro Bono coordinator. The last ten years of his 22-year tenure was as Executive Director.

During those years Tom led the effort to create the "David Project." one of the first programs in New York State funded for People With AIDS outside of New York City. Tom convinced the New York AIDS Institute that it was appropriate to distribute funding for PWA's legal services outside of the five boroughs. Today the David Project is one of the largest and most respected Legal Aid programs in the country.

Many of Long Island's HIV/AIDS and Lesbian & Gay organizations have benefited from Tom's pro bono work over the years. These organizations include: LIAAC, PWAC-LI, AFOLI, LIGALY, Catholic Charities, Circulo de la Hispanidad, and others.

Tom also co-founded the Breast Cancer Legal Advocacy Program, the first of its kind in the country. This program works with the Bar Association to provide legal services for poor women and families involving insurance and medical concerns.

For the past 2 + years Tom has been employed at Touro Law School as Director of Public Interest. He also works with the Lesbian and Gay student association, conducting programs involving lesbian/gay issues and the law.

As a Founding Board Member and current Board Chair of Long Island Gay And Lesbian Youth (LIGALY), Tom has worked tirelessly to help build an organization that provides direction and a safe environment for young people dealing with their sexual identity. Currently a Board Member of LeGaL (Lesbian and Gay Law Association of greater New York), Tom has spent the past two years working to increase their presence on Long Island.

Other Boards Tom is currently a member has included: Long Island Coalition Against Homelessness; Health and Welfare Council of Long Island; and the Greater Upstate Law Project. He is also an advisory board member of: ADELPHI Refugee Assistance Program; and the Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Tom's many awards of recognition include:

American Bar Association
Named "Young Lawyer of the Year" by the New York State Bar Association and the Nassau and Suffolk Bar Associations (1985)
Distinguished Alumni Award from SUNY – Oswego and SUNY – Buffalo (1986 & 1987)
Outstanding Service Award, presented by the New York Civil Liberties Union (1991)
Public Interest Award, presented by Hofstra University (1997)
First annual Commitment to Justice Award, presented by Nassau/Suffolk Law Services (1999)

With gratitude GALFOLI (Gay And Lesbian Foundation Of Long Island) honors Tom Maligno for his vision, generosity, compassion and leadership. His humility is astounding; not even his closest friends are aware of his many accomplishments. Tom truly exemplifies the meaning of Long Islanders helping Long Islanders, and he is a great role model to the Long Island GLBT community.