Conner W. Suddick
LGBTQIA+ Activism & Policy
Photo Courtesy of Foyle Pride.
Peace Bridge, Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Professional Overview
I graduated from Hamline University summa cum laude with university honors and departmental distinction in legal studies. While at Hamline, I was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa, and the Residential Hall Honorary. I studied legal studies, social justice, and obtained an ABA - approved paralegal certificate.
My research interests are two-fold: LGBTQ+ activism and policy, and building more community-driven changes in our criminal and civil legal systems through transformative and restorative justice, community education, and community mediation.
I have completed over 11 internships and volunteer opportunities in legal aid and public interest organizations. I serve on the board of OutFront Minnesota, one of the largest state LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations in the country.
I am passionate about transforming barriers in the legal system to become spaces for reconciliation and collective liberation. I am deeply invested in building equity and using restorative, transformative, and social justice frameworks for approaching current issues in the legal system.
Personal Overview
I have deep ties to the Great Lakes Region, where my immediate family has lived in Detroit MI, Suamico WI, and Lindenhurst, IL. While I am deeply critical of the cultural norms of the midwest, I have a deep love for the region, its people, and its potential.
I am a musician, a writer, and a traveler. I have had the opportunity to study or perform in over seven countries, including Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, England, Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. I am an avid reader, ranging from fantasy to anarchist theory.
I love pomegranates, dragons, and pretending to improve my chronic RBF.
Please explore my site!
LGBTQIA+
Communities
Exploring the intersection of identity, activism, and policy
Through my concentration, I explored the intersection between LGBTQIA+ identity and policy. From my coursework, I developed an expertise in LGBTQIA+ identities, how laws have shaped LGBTQIA+ peoples' lives, and what policy changes should occur.
Access to
Justice
Transforming Justice Disparities into Equity
While not the focus of my social justice major, combining my knowledge of legal systems with a critical social justice lens allows me to envision a more equitable civil legal system.