Although we do not list specific student groups in our Welcome Packet, the Packet does contain a letter from the Law School’s Director of Diversity and Inclusion. The letter states that the Law School has “numerous diversity and outreach based student organizations” and states that Admissions Office can put the admitted student in touch with leadership of the organizations.
Students may identify as LGBTQ+ through their personal statements.
Law students are eligible for the Elliot Jackson Jones Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded annually to an LGBTQ+ undergraduate or graduate student at The University of Alabama who is “working to improve the lives and welfare of LGBTQ+ persons on campus, in Alabama, or more broadly.” More information can be found here: http://capstonealliance.ua.edu/initiatives/scholarship/
The Law School encourages and solicits applications from candidates of any background, orientation, or identity, although it does not expressly request information about sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
A summary of the University health insurance policy for employees can be found at the following locations: https://hr.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/Benefits/Benefits-Summary-Guide.pdf
https://hr.ua.edu/benefits/health-care-benefits/medical-plans
A summary of the University health insurance policy for employees can be found at the following locations: https://hr.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/Benefits/Benefits-Summary-Guide.pdf
https://hr.ua.edu/benefits/health-care-benefits/medical-plans
A summary of the University health insurance policy available to students can be found at the following locations: https://www.uhcsr.com/uhcsrbrochures/Public/BenefitSummaryFlyers/2020-328-1%20Summary%20Brochure.pdf https://www.uhcsr.com/uhcsrbrochures/Public/SBC/2020-328-1-SBC.pdf
A summary of the University health insurance policy available to students can be found at the following locations: https://www.uhcsr.com/uhcsrbrochures/Public/BenefitSummaryFlyers/2020-328-1%20Summary%20Brochure.pdf https://www.uhcsr.com/uhcsrbrochures/Public/SBC/2020-328-1-SBC.pdf
In addition to providing counseling services through the University (described in detail below), the Law School provides the services of a licensed professional counselor who meets with law students individually, both by appointment and during scheduled office hours, during the academic year.
Counseling for LGBTQA+ students at The University of Alabama is available through both the UA Counseling Center and The Women and Gender Resource Center.
The Counseling Center helps students, undergraduate and graduate, achieve academic success and personal growth through quality brief counseling and psychological services, outreach, and consultative services, and the training of mental health professionals.
Students know the Counseling Center for its outstanding counseling services and counseling resources, as well as innovative programs including Stress Free Daze, which provides an opportunity for students to reduce their stress before finals week each semester.
The Counseling Center also offers information on how faculty, staff, parents, and others can support their students, specific information on helping students in crisis, along with further information on self help.
UA offers two full-time psychiatrists, one psychiatric nurse practitioner and seven other physicians who can assist in screening for general mental health issues through the Student Health Center. The UA Counseling Center staff includes 18 licensed clinicians (psychologists, licensed professional counselors, and licensed social workers). The Women and Gender Resource Center employs five staff therapists and two victim advocates.
The mission of the Women and Gender Resource Center is to address gender inequity and foster a community that values social justice, safety, leadership, mentoring, education, multiculturalism, partnership and research. This is accomplished by gender-related outreach, advocacy and support to individuals and communities of all identities.
The Law School has 6 all gender restrooms. Signage for all gender restrooms uses a combination of the male, female and transgender graphic icons that are the current adopted standard best practice. Each of our all gender restrooms is accessible to those with disabilities and the signage shows that graphic as well as braille indicating all information on the sign. Each floor also contains at least one all gender restroom with a baby changing station, which is also indicated by a graphic icon on the sign.
LGBTQ+ content is included in many of our courses, including but not limited to our courses on Constitutional Law, Employment Law, and Family Law. The exact percentage of course time dedicated to LGBTQ+ content varies among courses.
Travel opportunities for students were limited this year due to the pandemic. Last year, the Career Services Office, in partnership with OutLaw (the Law School’s LGBTQ+ student organization), sponsored two events that specifically addressed the needs of LGBTQ+ students. The first, “Navigating the Workplace,” was a panel featuring attorneys who are members of the LGBTQ+ community and included a discussion of how allies could be better coworkers and create support systems for the community. The second event, presented in conjunction with the law firm of Wilson Sonsini, offered mock interviews specifically to members of OutLaw, followed by a networking dinner.
Yes, optional for all students
The Law School provides a number of services to LGBTQIA+ students through the University. The University’s SafeZone Resource Center provides educational outreach, community support, and crisis intervention resources for LGBTQIA+ members of the University community and their allies. Capstone Alliance provides additional resources and programs specifically for LGBTQIA+ faculty, staff and graduate students. These programs include Lavender Graduation, which has regularly included students, faculty and staff from the Law School. GRADient is an organization specifically serving LGBTQIA+ graduate students and allies.
In addition to access to the University’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the Law School has its own Office of Diversity and Inclusion, with a full-time Director of Diversity & Inclusion whose duties include addressing the needs of LGBTQIA+ students. In addition to organizing the programs listed below (among others), this Office maintains a Diverse Experts Directory that allows alumni and friends of the Law School to provide information about their areas of expertise. This Directory allows members to volunteer information about whether they self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Student organizations, faculty, and staff are encouraged to use this directory when planning events to ensure panels, speakers, and writers for events are diverse.
The Law School has hosted a number of events that focus on issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. A sampling of past events includes the following
– a symposium on “LGBT Antidiscrimination Law and Policy after Hobby Lobby.”
– an LGBT Issues Forum, at which the (then) U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, Joyce Vance, gave a lecture about the U.S. Department of Justice’s role in protecting LGBTQ+ civil rights.
– a Transgender Passport Workshop to assist individuals in completing passport applications (co-sponsored by UA SafeZone)
– a Tolerance Means Dialogue event featuring Professor William N. Eskridge Jr. from Yale Law School and Robin Fretwell Wilson from the University of Illinois, who discussed “Religion and Gay Marriage: Do They Have to Be at Odds? Can Students Make a Difference?”
Last year, the Career Services Office, in partnership with OutLaw (the Law School’s LGBTQ+ student organization), sponsored two events that specifically addressed the needs of LGBTQ+ students. The first, “Navigating the Workplace,” was a panel featuring attorneys who are members of the LGBTQ+ community and included a discussion of how allies could be better coworkers and create support systems for the community. The second event, presented in conjunction with the law firm of Wilson Sonsini, will offer mock interviews specifically to members of OutLaw, followed by a networking dinner.
The Law School seeks to admit a diverse student body. For example, the Law School participates in LSAC’s PLUS program, which brings students from diverse backgrounds (including students who identify as LGBTQ+) to campus.