About Me
I believe making real change requires many voices and kinds of work that complement each other. My specialty is using policy as a tool for change.
I’m a lifelong activist and policy maven whose work focuses on LGBTQI+ equality and gender justice. For over a decade, I made it my goal to be one of the nation’s leading policy experts, advocates, and strategists in the movement for transgender justice. My approach seeks to be informed by, and to collaborate with, overlapping movements for broader gender, racial, disability, immigrant, and economic justice, and advocates doing essential grassroots organizing, litigation, and other change work. I have worked with local school districts, grassroots coalitions, federal and state legislators, major employers, professional associations, institutions in the medical, social services, legal, and justice fields, and a wide range of government agencies.
In my consulting practice, I specialize in helping organizations with policy strategy, policy analysis, and policy development.
Profiles of my work
"‘The backbone of trans rights policy:’ Meet Harper Jean Tobin," Kate Sosin, The 19th (Apr. 9, 2021).
“A Transgender Champion in Washington, D.C.,” Desiree Guerrero & Jacob Anderson-Minshall, The Advocate (June 2, 2019).
Selected honors & awards
“Queer 50,” Fast Company, 2021.
“40 Under 40: Queer Women of Washington,” DC Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, 2019.
“Out100,” Out Magazine, 2013.
“40 Under 40,” The Advocate, 2013.
Trans 100, 2013.
Top 40 LGBT Lawyers Under 40, National LGBT Bar Association, 2012
Experience & Education
Work experience
HJ TOBIN POLICY CONSULTING, Principal (2020-Present)
Providing policy strategy, analysis, development, and advocacy for organizations and coalitions.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR TRANSGENDER EQUALITY
Director of Policy (2013-2020); Policy Counsel (2009-2012)
Directing NCTE’s federal and state policy program, including securing numerous regulatory changes across the Obama Administration; tracking and mounting campaigns against regulatory rollbacks in the Trump Administration; Congressional lobbying and oversight; supervising NCTE’s state policy work in health care, identity documents, criminal justice, and other areas; developing policy-related publications and resources; and managing policy staff and interns.
NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS LAW CENTER (now Justice in Aging)
Staff Attorney, Federal Rights Project (2007-2009)
Provided technical assistance to attorneys through publications, advised on litigation, and ran a listserv with commentary and analysis of current court developments. Promoted access to justice through policy research and analysis, articles and op-eds in print and online media, and federal lobbying.
How did I get here? The wisdom and examples of my communities, colleagues, and mentors. Oh, and, here are the jobs and degrees I did along the way.
Education
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY, Cleveland, OH
J.D., cum laude, 2007; Concentration in International Law
M.S.S.A. (M.S.W. equiv.), 2007. Concentration in Children, Youth & Families
OBERLIN COLLEGE, Oberlin, OH
B.A. in Sociology & English, 2003
Magna cum laude in Sociology; Minors in Women’s Studies & English
Affiliations
HIPS: Board Member (2014-2019); (Board Chair 2015-2018)
Nat’l Ass’n of Insurance Commissioners: Consumer Representative (2017-2018)
Nat’l LGBTQ DV Capacity Building Learning Ctr.: Steering Committee (2015-2017)