 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.
Related
Articles:
Photos:
(Top) Courtesy of GALFOLI
(Side) by Louis Trapani © 2001 (ATP)
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