Application Question: Do you identify as LGBTQ? (Yes or No)
The application only asks whether a student identifies as LGBTQ, but does not ask for additional clarification.
The faculty of Case Western Reserve University School of Law is committed to creating and sustaining an environment for students, faculty and staff that is both diverse and inclusive, inside and outside the classroom. We embrace a broad definition of diversity and value diversity of all kinds. We strive to create a culture of inclusion that encourages relationships and interactions among people of different backgrounds; enhances human dignity; actively diminishes prejudice and discrimination; and improves the quality of life for everyone in our community. And we believe that attaining diversity and achieving an excellent faculty; staff and student body are both critical, mutually reinforcing goals. In 2016, we cemented our commitment to diversity by becoming the second law school in the nation to appoint an Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion (“Associate Dean”). We work with the university’s Office for Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity to draft advertisements, utilize diversity recruitment websites and approve each step of the recruitment process to ensure a diverse applicant pool.
Parental leave is available for all genders on an equal basis.
Case Western Reserve University offers a comprehensive benefits program to all full-time and some part-time employees that includes Benelect, post-tax benefits, retirement, time off, education, personal assistance, discount program, financial conveniences, and recreation. Visit the program overview for further details. Benefits are extended to dependent children. Specific plan information available here: https://case.edu/hr/benefits/health/medical-plans
Sex Reassignment Services This Plan provides benefits for many of the charges for sex reassignment surgery for Members diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria. Transgender surgery must be approved by the Plan for the type of transgender surgery requested and must be authorized prior to being performed. Charges for services that are not authorized for the sex reassignment surgery requested will not be considered Covered Services. Some conditions apply, and all services must be authorized by the Plan as outlined in the “Health Care Management” section.
The University also offers the Optional Dependent Medical Plan for those students who wish to purchase coverage for their dependent spouse, domestic partner and children
“Gender reassignment (sex change) treatment Surgical, hormone replacement therapy, and counseling treatment Covered according to the type of benefit and the place where the service is received” https://case.edu/studentlife/healthcounseling/sites/case.edu.healthcounseling/files/2019-06/MedicalPlan1920.pdf
There are two gender-neutral bathrooms on the ground floor of the law school building, with locks on the inside. The bathrooms are identified with signage that says “Gender Neutral”.
LGBT Legal Issues
The Student Services and Career Development Office provides funding for students to attend the LGBT Bar’s Annual Lavender Law Conference. The law school purchases a table and registrations every year for students to attend the Human Rights Campaign Cleveland’s annual gala.
Diversity 360 is a campus-wide diversity education program for students, faculty and staff developed in collaboration with the Office for Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity (OIDEO), the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Each year, all incoming law students participate in 3 hours of Diversity 360 modules during orientation. This training is designed specifically for law students in collaboration with OIDEO. All current faculty and staff were required to go through Diversity 360 programming in 2016. Since then, it is required of all new faculty and staff hires during orientation. We also work with OIDEO to offer Sustained Dialogue sessions.
More information about Diversity 360 can be found here: https://case.edu/diversity/programs/diversity-360
Many faculty and staff have undergone SafeZone training and indicate as such with stickers on their office doors.
Along with other graduate schools, we hold a special party for incoming LGBTQ students the Saturday before first-year classes begin.
Lambda Law Students Association is an educational, political, and social collaboration of law students, faculty and staff of all genders and sexualities interested in working with CWRU School of Law and the surrounding community. The organization works towards fostering and maintaining an environment that is supportive, positive, and safe for individuals of sexual and gender diversity. Lambda serves as a forum in which CWRU students, staff and faculty may coordinate their efforts to combat heterosexism, discrimination and prejudice, and to promote dialogue on these issues within the law school community, the Cleveland community and society at large.
We value a diverse class at Case Western and seek out LGBTQ+ prospective students who will meaningfully contribute to our community. We utilize the Law School Admission Council’s Candidate Referral Service to identify and recruit LGBTQ+ students through electronic outreach and also participate in a number of diversity recruiting events in addition to LSAC forums. In addition to questions on our application, we ensure prospective and admitted students learn more about the resources at the law school and university available to LGBTQ+ students. We also encourage members of the Lambda Law Students Association to be available to connect to prospective students and reach out to admitted students.