DAVID TAFFET | Senior Staff Writer
Taffet@DallasVoice.com
Charlie Chapin is licensed to practice law in Texas, Oklahoma and in tribal courts, and the bulk of his business is centered in the LGBTQ+ community in Oak Lawn. But his work with Native Americans stands out.
“In particular, we find members of the LGBT community are ambitious entrepreneurs,” Chapin said. “Starting their own businesses.” So he spends much of his time working with gay business men and women figuring out what legal format to suggest that will help their businesses prosper, grow and develop.
Chapin also emphasized that wills, trusts and estate planning are even more important in the gay community, yet LGBTQ+ people are less likely to have taken care of those important documents.
“We’re less prepared than the rest of the population for what happens when we need people to make decisions for us,” he said. “We want our family of choice to speak on our behalf in a health crisis.”
Every gay person needs powers of attorney and directives, he said. “They need a say in who speaks for them when they can’t speak for themselves,” he said.
Then there’s his Native American practice, which grew out of his experience in law school being involved in the Native American Law Association. “I’m one of a handful of native law practitioners in Texas,” Chapin said. “In Oklahoma, I’m one of the few non-natives.”
Tribes, he explained, are recognized for certain legal rights above states. Special protections are given by the Constitution and the U.S. Supreme Court to native families and children. As an attorney, Chapin said, his role is to make sure our society complies with the rights Native Americans have.
As an example, he cited the Indian Child Welfare Act, which he said pertains to his work with the LGBTQ+ community as we continue to foster and adopt children.
“Special attempts are made, whenever possible, to place native children with a native family,” he said. That would place a same-sex native couple ahead of a non-native straight couple in placing a native child.
Chapin said he also works with people of native descent who don’t know if they’re eligible for native citizenship. “Anyone who may have Native American heritage may be eligible for enrollment in a tribe or nation,” he said. “With that comes many protections and privileges.”
He listed as top among those advantages full college scholarships and excellent health care and healthcare coverage. “Indian Health is available to any enrolled in tribal membership,” Chapin said. And that healthcare is available anywhere across the U.S., not just on a reservation.
Chapin said about 200,000 Native Americans live across the DFW area, and “It’s reasonable to believe many are LGBTQ+.” As an attorney, he said, his job is to help you make proper decisions.
“We fought too hard to have our relationships recognized,” he said. And he said for tribal membership and its benefits, “I’m the go-to guy.”
Charlie Chapin can be reached at OakLawnLaw.org or 214-991-4670.