for admissions: On p 39 of the viewbook (physical copy) and on the web, we list DU OUTlaws as one of the select student organizations, along with Asian Pacific American Law Student Organization, Black Law Students Association, Christian Legal Society, Diversity Advocates, Latinx Law Student Association, Muslim Law Student Association, Native American Law Student Association.
In addition, we include information about such groups in orientation packets and in our DEI admitted student reception.
Admissions: There is a check box in the application that allows students to identify as LGBTQ+. In addition, we changed the format of our application in 2008 from a Male/Female option question for “Gender” to a free text box, enabling the applicant to self-identify without limitation. Additionally, there is a place on the application that allows a student to select self-identifying pronouns, as well as allows an applicant not to select. The application reads PRONOUNS and the applicant can check the line in front of each of these options: He/Him/His; She/Her/Hers; They/Them/Theirs; Option Not Listed; I do not wish to self-identify.
Post-Enrollment: We have an opt-in listserv that we send to all students; It shares information about diversity related events/jobs etc. Any student can opt in and can also choose to share their identity information (though they do not have to do the latter to join the listserv).
The university as a whole, not just the law school, does not track lgbtq+ status after admissions. We have the admissions information but since we do not track it in an ongoing way beyond that we cannot answer questions 4b-4h.
All students can indicate a preferred name, which will print on rosters, etc. Individual offices take extra care to ensure that the preferred one is that one that appears/prints on reports, lists, communications, etc. Here is the info/policy.
We include language in job postings that speak to our EEO policy and also our general interest in seeking candidates from diverse backgrounds. We share job postings with various outlets, such as professor listservs that target individuals from diverse backgrounds, affinity bar organizations and more.
We provide parental leave benefits for adoptions. We do not provide financial assistance for adoptions.
Here’s the link to parental leaves.
Here’s the link to the benefits guide.
The DU Health and Counseling Center is the primary provider for the plan, all primary care/referrals starts at the HCC
Note – DU Student Health Insurance Plan is for DU students only.
Information here and specifically:
Identifying your gender identity or sexual orientation as anything other than cisgender or heterosexual does not mean you are mentally ill or need counseling. Often LGBTQIA-identified individuals seek counseling due to negative external reactions from others which contribute to marginalization and discrimination. Sometimes these beliefs become internalized as well and together, they can result in feelings of isolation, guilt, fear, loneliness, anger, etc. which can negatively impact mental health. College in general can be a significant time to explore your values and identity. It is not uncommon for students to question, explore, and embrace their sexual, romantic, and gender identities as a part of that experience. Counseling can specifically address issues related to your gender/sexual identity (coming out, transition(s), dating/sex, marginalization/discrimination, the impact of an intersex identity, exploring polyamory, discovering you are asexual, or the intersection of these identities with others you hold, etc.), but it can also be a safe space for LGBTQIA-identified individuals to address unrelated mental health concerns in a non-judgmental and accepting environment (anxiety, depression, grief, ADHD, etc.). We provide individual counseling to address any of these concerns and offer a confidential LGBTQIA Support Group for those wanting specific support around these identities. This group meets weekly for 1.5 hours in the Pride Lounge during the academic year. The day and time changes based on the quarter. Please see the main HCC page for details (where do we list our groups??). Counselors can provide counseling and documentation that meets WPATH Standards of Care (SOC) for gender confirmation surgery and gender affirming hormone therapy if requested by a treating physician.
There are a total of 9 single user “All-Gender Restrooms” available on floors 1, 2, and 3 out of our 4-floor building. All restrooms are ADA compliant and accessible to students, faculty and staff in the building. On our website, the two main areas to find information on our All-Gender Restrooms are through the Westminster Law Library and Student Affairs webpages. See the links below:
https://www.law.du.edu/library/about-library/building-information
Found here: https://www.law.du.edu/student-affairs/building-information
Restroom Inclusiveness and Policies
Rule 81.9 of the Colorado regulations requires that employers permit their employees to use restrooms appropriate to their gender identity rather than their assigned gender at birth without being harassed or questioned. 3 CCR 708-1-81.9 (revised December 15, 2014), available at http://cdn.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/DORA-DCR/CBON/DORA/1251629367483.
Sturm College of Law community members have the right to determine the most appropriate and safest restroom option for themselves. Both single occupant all-gender restrooms and multiple occupant gender-segregated (“Men” and “Women”) restrooms are available for use at Sturm College of Law. Our community members are not required to provide any medical or legal documentation of their gender identity in order to have access to gender-appropriate facilities. In addition, no law school community members are required to use a segregated facility apart from other members because of their gender identity or transgender status.
Sexual orientation and the law (every fall)
Gender identity and the law (spring 2021)
Students can seek out funding through the career office and/or student bar association to attend conferences like Lavender Law and the equal justice works conference.
students: peer mentoring through student affairs office matched by affinity group; also matched with affinity professional mentor.
In addition to Denver Law intentionally seeking out those qualified to successfully complete the law school program, the Office of Admissions for a number of years has discussed the importance of encouraging communities of diversity, including LGBTQ+ prospects, applicants, and current law students.
For example, this academic year, our associate dean of diversity along with law student diversity assistants are reaching out to admitted students who identify as lgbtq+ individually to answer questions, encourage them etc. We are also hosting a DEI-sponsored virtual reception for all students.
In addition, we are hosting this year over 20 events with local high schools and colleges, marketed as diversity events to encourage interest in law school by diverse students including students who identify as lgbtq+ .