Diversity in Law School

Nondiscrimination Policy

The University of Puerto Rico School of Law does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, income, religion, political affiliation or beliefs, disability, or veteran status in the recruitment or selection of faculty members and nonteaching personnel, in the admission of students, or in programs or activities held or sponsored by the university.

Student Organization Contact Information

No details provided.

Faculty Contact Information

None

Administrator Contact Information

None

Course Titles and/or Descriptions

DERE 7058 Sexual Orientation and the Law

Credits: 3
Prerequisite: DERE 7018 Constitutional Law

A study of the regulation of sexuality and sexual preferences in the context of criminal law, intimacy, freedom of association, family, employment, and education.

DERE 7075 Gender-Based Discrimination and the Law

Credits: 3
Prerequisite: DERE 7018 Constitutional Law

Study of gender-based discrimination in family relationships, employment, education, and criminality. Examination of the remedies sought by law for gender‐based discrimination and the various means by which the law may contribute toward equal opportunities for members of both sexes.

DERE 7041 Legal Aid Clinic (Sec. 001)

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: 60 credits approved, including DERE 7017 Civil Procedure and DERE 7026 Evidence.

With the supervision of a professor, students offer legal advice to members of the LGBT community in Puerto Rico as well as legal representation in judicial and administrative proceedings to persons who have been discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. Students also participate in community education activities and legislative lobbying to support, defend, and promote the rights of the LGBT community in Puerto Rico.

DERE 7042 Legal Aid Clinic (Sec. 001)

Credits: 3
Prerequisite: DERE 7041

Continuation of DERE 7041 (Sec. 001).

Domestic Partnership Benefits

No details provided.

Additional Information

There is an open and inclusive environment for all students, irrespective of their sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, ethnicity, age, political views, religion, income, national origin, or marital status. Like religion, political views, and income, the application for the University of Puerto Rico School of Law does not address the sexual orientation or gender identity of applicants since these are not regular admission criteria. Each year, the University of Puerto Rico School of Law admits up to 215 students for the 1L class, of which 200 are selected through a purely objective formula composed by the LSAT and EXADEP scores, and the GPA. However, the other 15 students are selected after the Admissions Committee examines other applicants' personal statements and writing samples. In this process, details like the applicant's gender identity, sexual orientation, income disadvantages, graduate degrees, national origin, ethnic or racial background, college extracurricular activities, and particular character or personality traits are considered favorably by the Committee and may strengthen the applicant's possibility of admission.

In addition to the specific sexual-orientation courses, LGBT topics are raised in other courses like Constitutional Law, Family Law, Criminal Law, and Theory of Law, which are required courses for graduation, as well as Estate Law, Civil Policy and Civil Rights Legislation, Law and Social Change, and Social Legislation.

There is also a student pro bono organization, Sexual and Reproductive Rights, that serves the LGBT community in Puerto Rico, strives against homophobia, and upholds the rights of LGBT persons.

« Back to LGBT Survey Results