Optional question on JD application: “Do you identify as LGBTQ+?”
In each of our Job Postings, we include the following information:
Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.
We also work with our contracted recruitment advertising agency to find candidates. This may include posting on fee based LGBTQ+ specific websites such as LGBTinHigherEd.com.
There is no separate “Self-ID program” administered by the university or law school. Gender identity and sexual orientation information is collected on an annual basis for the purpose of responding to this survey. Each year, the law school develops an anonymous survey to collect the information, and the survey is adjusted as needed to reflect the specific questions contained in the annual survey.
Northeastern University provides coverage for employees and their domestic partners, more details located here.
In compliance with the Massachusetts Division of Insurance Bulletin regarding Transgender Health Care, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) provides several gender confirming options to those whom they insure.
Generally, all treatment and services provided under a diagnosis of gender dysphoria or gender identity disorder will require prior authorization by a third-party licensed medical provider to verify that the treatment or service is medically necessary. Individuals are advised to discuss this with their medical provider or PCP to understand the timeline and options.
All BCBSMA medical plans available from Northeastern will cover hormone replacement therapy, but levels of coverage will vary depending on which plan they are enrolled in and which method of HRT they choose. Generally, coverage is provided under the standard prescription coverage found in their Member portal on bluecrossma.com.
BCBSMA lists all available surgical gender confirmation procedures in this document, which outlines the qualifying criteria and detailed medical coding information.
For general information and resources regarding LGBQ and transgender healthcare and insurance coverage see the following links:
• http://www.masstpc.org/issues/health-care/
• http://www.transequality.org/know-your-rights/healthcare
• http://fenwayhealth.org/care/medical/transgender-health/
• Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Questions for Patients
• Talking to Your Healthcare Provider about Being LGBT
• Talking to Your Healthcare Provider About Being LGBTQ for Youth
If you would like a first-hand account of how to best navigate the Trans Health Coverage processes, here are some tips and feedback from Northeastern employee experiences:
• You can specifically request to work with a BCBSMA customer service agent who has been trained in gender identity concerns when calling or contacting BCBSMA.
• Avoid assuming that any procedure or care service is covered, even if the coverage document outlines it; always ask for information about necessary prior authorizations for coverage of any procedure or care.
• Medical coding practices differ between providers and these codes often determine what is considered “medically necessary,” and thus what will or will not be covered by BCBSMA. Even if BCBSMA provides you with a pre-authorization for a treatment or service, the provider of that treatment or service may use billing codes that result in only partial coverage of the total cost. You can ask your doctor, surgeon or another medical service provider for their coding practices, or have a BCBSMA representative call them to confirm. Many knowledgeable providers in Boston will know about these gaps and can share about how it has worked for past patients with similar health plans so that you can be properly informed of ALL costs.
As determined by the group, an enrolled eligible student may have the option to enroll an eligible domestic partner (instead of an eligible spouse) under his or her student health plan membership. For more details, contact your plan sponsor.
In the event an enrolled student enrolls an eligible domestic partner under his or her student health plan membership, the domestic partner’s dependent children are eligible for coverage to the same extent that the enrolled student’s dependent children are eligible for coverage under his or her membership. If the enrolled student terminates the domestic partnership, the former domestic partner and any children of a former domestic partner are no longer eligible for coverage.
Northeastern University also partners with Fenway Health, a nationally-recognized LGBT-focused health center with affirming healthcare, including dentistry, optometry, transgender-focused health, and other services. Northeastern and Fenway Health have partnered to offer NUSHP enrolled students a discount on co-pays and extended services that would not be covered at other healthcare facilities. For more information, please see the details of the agreement here.
To learn more about Fenway Health, please visit their website. For more information regarding the transgender health program, please contact: transhealth@fenwayhealth.org.
Northeastern University Health and Counseling Services (UHCS) partners with Fenway Health to provide ongoing training for UHCS staff. Fenway Health is a local LGBT-focused community health center. For more information about Fenway Health visit this page.
“All Gender Restroom” is indicated on signage. Directions for locating all gender restrooms are online here.
• Sexuality, Gender & the Law
• Human Rights Seminar: Race, Gender, & Culture
• Reproductive and Sexual Rights & Health
Each year, Northeastern University School of Law sponsors memberships for any students who would like to join the National LGBTQ Bar Association. Student members of that national bar association receive free entry to the Lav Law Job Fair and Conference and can seek travel funding through Northeastern University’s Graduate Student Government.
Yes, optional for all students
The School of Law’s Trans Justice Taskforce consists of faculty, staff and student representatives charged with advocating for transgender members of our community. The Taskforce identifies issues requiring administrative attention and works with appropriate offices to help improve services and access for transgender students. The Taskforce is also responsible for providing trainings to faculty and staff as needed and address current issues affecting transgender students.
The Queer Caucus (QC) student organization holds programming for the law school community and for LGBTQ+ students to connect with faculty and staff in a supportive environment. The QC also organizes a 1L mentoring program for incoming LGBTQA+ students.
The School of Law offers diversity trainings to both faculty and staff on a biennial basis and incorporates additional trainings as needed when issues arise that require special attention or refresher trainings. Diversity trainings typically incorporate LGBTQ+ curricula.
The School of Law participates in Reach(OUT), a LGBTQA+ Career Conference for law students in the Boston area. The event focuses on the perspectives and concerns of queer, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary, intersex and asexual law students in preparation for co-op, internships and professional life in law and legal-related fields beyond campus. Students have the opportunity to hear from attorneys in various practice areas about topics such as navigating microaggressions, law firm culture and gender presentation, among other topics. Additionally, students have the opportunity to engage one-on-one with professionals in a networking session to further discuss questions related to preparing for and navigating professional working environments.
Each year, the School of Law also sponsors student attendees at the annual Massachusetts LGBT Bar Association networking dinner and at the annual GLAD (GLBT Legal Defenders) Spirit of Justice Gala.
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