The Judge Norman W. Black Award is given by the LGBTQ+ Law Section of the State Bar of Texas to a past or present member of the State Bar of Texas for a signification contribution to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer legal issues. The Award is named in memory of the Honorable Norman W. Black (1931-1997), judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
When the proposed creation of the Gay and Lesbian Issues Section was before the State Bar board of directors on October 4, 1996, Judge Black was the federal judiciary’s liaison to the board. By a narrow margin, the board vote "no." It was the first time the State Bar of Texas denied a request to create a section.
Numerous board members spoke to Mitchell Katine, Connie Moore, and Charles Spain, the three Houston lawyers who testified in favor of creating the Section. Those directors who voted "yes" expressed their sorrow. Those who voted "no" explained there was no need for the Section because of the existence of the Individual Rights and Responsibilities Section, adding that prejudice was not an issue. It was all very polite. It was all very discouraging.
After the other board members left, Judge Black spoke to the three Houston lawyers. The judge had a different interpretation of why the vote was "no."
Judge Black returned to the board meeting, telling his fellow directors, “I’ve always learned a lot about my fellow members from these meetings. Today’s the first time I wasn’t real proud.” His comments made the front page of the Texas Lawyer. Janet Elliott, Bar Denies Gay Issues Section, Tex. Law., Oct. 14, 1996, at 1. His comments changed everything.
The Bar Association for Human Rights of Greater Houston (now Stonewall Law Association of Greater Houston), recognized Judge Black at its April 8, 1997 annual meeting, presenting a plaque honoring his role as an outspoken guardian of human rights. Judge Black told the BAHR members of his vocal criticism of the State Bar board of directors. He explained that his deep personal commitment to human rights was kindled during his youth as a Jew growing up in segregated Houston and matured throughout his judicial career serving with colleagues such as the Honorable John Brown, who served as chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit during the Civil Rights Movement. Judge Black exhorted the BAHR members to continue the fight to create the Section, concluding with the words of Winston Churchill, “Never give up.”
Judge Black died three months later on July 23, 1997.
Agreeing with Phyllis Frye's criticism that the original proposal was not transgender inclusive, 1997-1998 BAHR President Anne Pike made the creation of an inclusive Section her priority. The State Bar board of directors placed the proposed Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification Issues Section on the agenda for its April 17, 1998 meeting. Four days before the vote, Judge Black's 1996 public rebuke was republished in the Texas Lawyer. Janet Elliott, Two New Bar Sections Garner Support, Tex. Law., Apr. 13, 1998, at 1. The board voted "yes" by a large margin.
Judge Black gave us both the inspiration and the kick in the pants to get the Section created. So it made perfect sense to name the Section's award after him. His family agreed and gave their blessing. The first presentations were made at the Section's 2000 annual meeting.
Thank you, Judge Black!
