Optional question on JD application: “Do you identify as LGBTQ+?”
1. 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.
2. 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.
Northeastern offers Domestic Partner coverage for those that qualify. Eligibility is found on the domestic partner certification form (https://www.northeastern.edu/hrm/pdfs/2016boe/DomesticPartnerCertificationForm.pdf).
For qualifying members, family medical leave and parental leave is available. Under the paid parental leave benefit, an eligible parent is considered a biological parent, spouse, or domestic partner of a person who has given birth to a child, or an adoptive parent or foster parent of a newly placed child (https://www.northeastern.edu/policies/pdfs/Policy_on_Paid_Parental_Leave.pdf)
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. Please discuss this with your 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 you are enrolled in and which method of HRT you choose. Generally, coverage is provided under the standard prescription coverage found in your Member portal on bluecrossma.com.
BCBSMA lists all available surgical gender confirmation procedures in this document: Transgender Services. This document 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
I would like a first-hand account of how to best navigate the Trans Health Coverage processes.
Based on feedback from Northeastern employee experiences, here are some tips to help navigate the process:
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.
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Northeastern University Health and Counseling Services (UHCS) representative confirmed that UHCS partners with Fenway Health to provide ongoing training for UHCS staff. For more information about Fenway Health visit https://fenwayhealth.org/about/history/.
“All Gender Restroom” is indicated on signage. Directions for locating all gender restrooms are online here: https://provost.northeastern.edu/oidi/resources/restrooms/
• 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 student organization holds an annual breakfast for 1L LGBTQ+ students with law school faculty and administrators. The QC students facilitate a discussion among the 1L students, faculty and staff, and the space is confidential so that not-out and questioning students can attend without concern. The breakfast offers an informal opportunity for LGBTQ+ students to connect with faculty and staff in a supportive environment.
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. All standard diversity trainings incorporate LGBTQ+ curricula. For example, in our most recent staff training, a significant portion of the training focused on supporting transgender students and attendees were required to break into small groups to practice accurate pronoun usage.
The School of Law organizes and hosts 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.
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