Diversity in Law School

Nondiscrimination Policy

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, color, or national origin.

Student Organization Contact Information

OUTlaw

Faculty Contact Information

None

Administrator Contact Information

No details provided.

Course Titles and/or Descriptions

In the past, we have offered a number of classes dealing with LGBT legal issues. However, as it is a special topic, it is not always available or guaranteed. Most recently, a course was offered regarding Sexual Orientation and the Law.

Domestic Partnership Benefits

Currently, domestic partners of faculty and staff have access to optional benefits like WVU Recreation Center memberships, Child Learning Center discounts, Employee Wellness activities, Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, and Library privileges.

Additional Information

The WVU College of Law has an LGBT student organization (OUTlaw) that provides social support for LGBT students and allies. OUTlaw also coordinates programming and has hosted speakers and information tables on issues pertaining to sexual orientation and the law. The Assistant Dean for Career Services serves as the advisor for the group and has also coordinated having students attend the National LGBT Bar's Lavender Law Conference and Career Fair each year.

The WVU College of Law has a course on "Sexual Orientation and the Law," and issues of sexual orientation are discussed in other courses, including Constitutional Law, Family Law, Gender and the Law, and Employment/Labor Law.

The WVU College of Law has not yet enrolled a transgender student and currently does not offer unisex restroom facilities.

West Virginia law does not include sexual orientation as a protected class in its employment or housing nondiscrimination laws. There is a state statute that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. An attempt to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage was defeated in 2010. WV repealed its sodomy statute in 1976. There is an active state LGBT activist/lobbying group called Fairness WV which is actively lobbying the state legislature on marriage equality issues and the inclusion of sexual orientation as a protected class in employment and housing law in WV. While WV is a heavily Democratic state, it is widely seen as socially conservative on LGBT issues.

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