Maria Salas named to Nashville Bar Association board

“I’m not sure than being a gay lawyer in Nashville is much different than being a gay accountant, architect or banker,” says Maria Salas. “I doubt my clients care much about my sexual orientation as long as I stop their home foreclosure or wage garnishment and get them a little relief on their credit card or medical debt.”

Pragmatic and down to earth, Salas has run her practice since 1995, representing debtors in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases almost exclusively. She also is a member of the American and Tennessee Bar Associations, Tennessee and Nashville Lawyer’s Associations for Women, the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, and the American Bankruptcy Institute, and she received the Nashville Bar Association Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year Award in 2001.

But just in case you didn’t think she was accomplished enough or involved in her community, Salas has just been elected to the Nashville Bar Association (NBA) Board of Directors.

“I’m honored to have been elected by my peers to help lead the Nashville Bar Association for the next 3 years,” she says. “My area of expertise is bankruptcy, so I’m sure I will stay involved with the NBA bankruptcy court committee.  My other areas of interest include solo lawyer and small firm practice issues, the practicing parent group, and, of course, diversity in the legal profession.”

As an out lesbian in a largely conservative field, Salas has a deep interest in promoting diversity.

“Early in my legal career as an associate attorney in a medium sized law firm, I wasn’t out to all my colleagues for fear of the impact on my advancement at the firm,” she reveals. “There wasn’t then and isn’t now any federal or Tennessee state employment non-discrimination law protecting GLBT people. However, fast-forward almost 20 years in my career and almost all, if not all, of the largest law firms in town have GLBT affinity groups and many have firm employment non-discrimination policies.” 

Salas is a founding member and current board member of the Stonewall Bar Association of Tennessee, which supports LGBT legal professionals: “I believe the attorneys and paralegals, both gay and straight, who are Stonewall Bar members are promoting diversity in the legal profession just by speaking out, being organized and being active in our law firms and in the local legal community.”

Salas also served on the Human Rights Campaign board of governors and board of directors from 1997 to 2008, during which time she says “our country saw a huge shift towards LGBT equality."

"“I think I’m most proud of being part of the board leadership that oversaw the development and emergence of HRC Foundation programs," Salas says. "Programs such as the Religion and Faith Project and the Family project. As the parent of a six-year-old, I am particularly excited about HRC’s 'Welcoming Schools' program that addresses family diversity and bullying issues in elementary schools.”

WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.

The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.

Keep readingShow less
by Spectrum Medical Care Center

Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz

When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.

I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.

Keep readingShow less

Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area

Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!

Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.

Keep readingShow less