We provide a statement in the Admitted Student & Welcome packet that provides information about our resources and school culture.
For the 2021 application cycle, we have two questions on our admission application that allow applicants to (1) identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and/or (2) identify as an ally of the community. We are committed to providing an opportunity for students to self-identify.
The law school disseminates its job postings widely across national and local listservs and job sites, including the AALS and CLEA websites, AALS Minority Listserv, AALS Clinical Listserv, Langston/Ludie Writers Workshop Listservs, National Association for Law Placement’s Job Center, the Chronicle of Higher Education’s ChronicleVitae, Indeed, LinkedIn, the DC Consortium of Legal Services Providers, and its diverse group of alumni.
UDC Law employees participate in the DC Employees Health Benefits Program which, by law, allows for coverage of domestic partners and the dependent children of domestic partners. The DC Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in employment based on sex, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation.
Employees may choose from among several health insurance plans. https://www.udc.edu/human-resources/benefits/
The University’s student health plan does not cover infertility treatments but does cover preventative care and gender confirmation procedures and/or treatments. https://www.uhcsr.com/udc and https://www.udc.edu/health-services/helpful-resources/.
The law school cannot attest to the training received by all of the University’s on-campus health care providers, but University Health Services makes a point of noting it “is committed to providing caring, quality, confidential services to the university community, inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities.” https://www.udc.edu/health-services/. It also provides resources specifically for LGBTQ+ students. https://www.udc.edu/health-services/helpful-resources/
The law school building has five single-stall restrooms (two on the 1st floor, one on the 3rd floor, and two on the law library level), all of which are accessible for people with disabilities, labeled as Family Restrooms.
All individuals may use facilities such as restrooms, locker rooms, and changing rooms that correspond with their gender identity; in other words, individuals may use the restroom designated for the gender they identify with. http://docs.udc.edu/president/All-Gender-Restrooms-2-12-2020.pdf. See also D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 4. § 802 (2006).
Gender & Sexual Orientation Under the Law Seminar
The law school’s LGBTQ+ student organization, OutLaw, has used its funding for student networking and career services activities, including participation in Lavender Law.
The University’s Center for Diversity, Inclusion & Multicultural Affairs provides programming, resources, and a welcoming and affirming environment for historically marginalized populations, specifically including LGBTQ+ and non-binary identifying students.
Our outreach to LGBTQIA+ prospective students includes direct and indirect methods. We attend several law school fairs each year where LGBTQIA+ prospects are in attendance. We affirmatively identify ourselves as a school who welcomes and supports members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Our Admission and Financial Aid offices as a unit attend professional development seminars and workshops that help to expand our knowledge base and identify appropriate resources to accommodate prospective students who identify with the LGBTQIA+ community.