Barrett Brick (2007)

Photo © Patsy Lynch

“... each time we fulfill our sacred obligation of memory . . . each time we tell the truth of our history and our heritage . . . we demonstrate our commitment that indifference shall not stand, and that silence shall not descend ever again.”

Remarks delivered by Barrett L. Brick on the occasion of the dedication of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the National March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation.  Friday, April 23, 1993.

An attorney, Barrett Brick has aggressively championed gay community interests in the local, national, and global political community for more than twenty-five years.

Brick joined the non-partisan Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance shortly after arriving in Washington and it has been the forum for much of his work for gay civil rights.  He is the current president of GLAA.  He frequently testifies before the DC City Council on matters of concern to the gay community.

Brick serves as Vice Chair of the American Bar Association’s Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender identity, helping develop and implement its pro-gay policies.  As he notes, "This is where I do a lot of my activism these days, helping develop and implement the ABA's pro-gay policies."

Barrett Brick is also a leader in local and national gay faith community organizations.  In Washington, Brick has long been active in Congregation Bet Mishpachah, where he has served as a board member and president and continues to lead services.  In the international arena, he served as Executive Director of the World Congress of Gay and Lesbian Jewish Organizations (1987-1993).

Brick strongly supported Craig Howell’s campaign (1980-1983) to include homosexual victims of Nazism in the purview of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum.  With Howell, he met members of the Jewish Community Council in February 1983 to make the case for inclusion.  Within two months, Elie Wiesel persuaded the council, in April 1983, to include all victims of Nazi persecution.

Among Brick’s particular concerns is immigration law’s effect on homosexuals’ entry into the United States.  He is a member of the Advisory Council of Immigration Equality.

Brick began his work in support for gay civil rights while at Columbia University where he was treasurer and secretary of Gay People at Columbia (1974 -1976) and founded the Columbia Gay and Lesbian Law Students Association (1979).

In 2000, Brick recieved the GLAA Distinguished Service Award.