Diversity in Law School

Nondiscrimination Policy

The law school admits students of any sex, race, color, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, creed, sexual orientation, or disability, if otherwise qualified to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to all qualified employees and students of the law school. We do not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, age, creed, color, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability in the administration of our employee policies or other law school-administered programs.

Student Organization Contact Information

Pride Law

Contact:

Marion Cloete
Phone: 619.515.1577
E-mail: mec@cwsl.edu

Faculty Contact Information

• Professor Barbara Cox
• Professor Scott Ehrlich

Administrator Contact Information

None

Course Titles and/or Descriptions

Comparative Issues in Gender, Family, and Sexuality

Likely frequency of offering—initial offering spring 2006, subsequent offerings TBA

Content: This course will examine the legal regulation of gender, family, and sexuality from a comparative viewpoint, with a focus on the United States, the European Union, and countries that differ from the United States and the majority of countries in the European Union. Some of the issues to be considered are gender equality and sexual harassment; regulation of sex outside marriage by the criminal law; regulation and dissolution of marriage (including incest and polygamy) and domestic partnership; intercountry adoption; female genital mutilation; fetal protection policies, abortion, and reproductive freedom; and regulation of pornography. Each of these issues is complex and controversial in its own right, and individual countries and alliances of countries address them differently.

Constitutional Law Survey: Sexual Orientation Law

Likely frequency of offering—every year

Content: This course will explore the legal issues surrounding sexual orientation and the legal system's regulation of the lives of sexual minorities (particularly gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals). The objectives of the course are to familiarize students with the historical relationships between law and sexual orientation, to introduce students to current controversies in legal theory and doctrine relating to sexual orientation, to foster critical and independent thinking about relationships between law and sexual orientation, and to enable students to explore various aspects of these relationships through course readings and discussions.

This is a survey course which will review numerous areas of the legal system's impact on sexual minorities. These areas include constitutional protection of privacy, speech, and association; regulation of sexual conduct under the criminal law; regulation of family status and the benefits attached to family status; regulation of discrimination in the civilian sector, the military, and educational institutions; limits on immigration and naturalization; and various property issues.

Domestic Partnership Benefits

Yes, for faculty and staff.

Additional Information

California Western believes that one aspect of giving our students a broad perspective on the law is to offer a richly diverse classroom environment. Located in the heart of beautiful San Diego, California Western offers students the opportunity to study law in an environment that has been at the forefront of issues related to same-sex couples and families. Although the same-sex marriage issue in California has exacerbated a sense of marginalization in the LGBT community, California Western remains committed to educating students to become lawyers who possess the ability to appreciate the differences in our society and to competently represent clients who may differ from themselves.

The wide variety of cultures and values intrinsic within the population at California Western provides students an opportunity for an enriched education. California Western's commitment to diversity is demonstrated by our diligent efforts to recruit and retain students who represent a variety of backgrounds, including members of the LGBT community. As an example of this commitment to recognizing the needs of our community, there are two designated unisex bathrooms in the classroom building. Faculty and staff welcome students into the classroom and law school community, and encourage every student to participate in our many academic and social opportunities.

The student organization, Pride Law, is involved in a variety of activities, including the AIDS Walk. Every September, Pride Law forms a team of California Western students, professors, staff, and alumni to participate in the AIDS Walk San Diego. As a team, they raise money to help in AIDS research and treatment. Local agencies receive funding through the money earned from this event, which is used to serve those in San Diego living with HIV/AIDS.

Pride Law is affiliated with the Tom Homann Law Association (THLA), San Diego's LGBT legal organization. Pride Law has a strong and ongoing relationship with THLA; many Pride Law members have built lasting legal connections with THLA members. Through this organization, Pride Law attends mixers with local attorneys and judges, the THLA Annual Dinner, and THLA attorney-mentor events.

Through the generosity of California Western School of Law, Pride Law members have, in the past, been able to attend the Annual Lavender Law Conference. Lavender Law is the National LGBT Bar Association's annual conference, which brings together hundreds of practicing attorneys, legal scholars, and law students. Lavender Law gives California Western Students the opportunity to meet with dozens of legal employers and discuss career opportunities as well as attend a conference that delves into the pertinent legal issues facing LGBT individuals.

Each semester Pride Law cohosts a mixer with one of the other diversity organizations on campus and at other local law schools. This gives Pride Law members the opportunity to create bonds with other students and work together to create a more inclusive environment.

Finally, each year Pride Law hosts a Speaker Event with a local attorney or judiciary member. This gives California Western students the opportunity to meet practicing attorneys and build relationships with the San Diego legal community.

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