About OutLaw
Welcome to OutLaw, the University of Chicago Law School's LGBTQ student organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and allied law students. The University of Chicago prides itself on being an open and welcoming community for LGBTQ students, administrators, and faculty.
Since its founding in 1984, OutLaw (previously the "Bisexual, Gay, and Lesbian Law Students Association") has made several important contributions to LGBTQ life at the Unviersity of Chicago and the Law School, by:
In 1989, OutLaw assisted LGBTQ alumni and the Law School in establishing a law school scholarship -- believed to be the first of its kind established in this country -- for students who demonstrate commitment to the advancement of the legal rights of LGBTQ individuals. Named in honor of the 1969 riots commemorated as precipitating the modern LGBTQ rights movement, the Stonewall Scholarship Fund is still used to replace unnamed scholarship funds awarded by the Financial Aid Office.
The University of Chicago Law School
Chicago is home to a large and cutting edge legal community. The Law School's proximity to downtown Chicago and the close relationships with many of the leading law firms provides students with unique opportunities to meet practicing attorneys.
The Law School maintains strong connections to the greater University. Student representatives attend graduate council meetings and the Office of LGBTQ Student Life connects LGBTQ graduate students across the University. OutLaw also runs a formal Affinity Mentoring Program to connect alumni and current students, in addition to a peer mentorship program. More information can be found on the 'Alumni' page.
Chicago is also one of the most diverse cities in the United States. Boystown, a neighborhood of Chicago, serves as a cultural and community hub for the LGBTQ community.
Welcome to OutLaw, the University of Chicago Law School's LGBTQ student organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and allied law students. The University of Chicago prides itself on being an open and welcoming community for LGBTQ students, administrators, and faculty.
Since its founding in 1984, OutLaw (previously the "Bisexual, Gay, and Lesbian Law Students Association") has made several important contributions to LGBTQ life at the Unviersity of Chicago and the Law School, by:
- negotiating successfully for the inclusion of sexual orientation in the university's non-discrimination policy (1998),
- organizing the first national law school conference on sexual orientation and the law,
- participating in the successful lobbying effort to obtain domestic partnership benefits at the University of Chicago, making the university one of the first in the nation to offer such benefits (1992).
In 1989, OutLaw assisted LGBTQ alumni and the Law School in establishing a law school scholarship -- believed to be the first of its kind established in this country -- for students who demonstrate commitment to the advancement of the legal rights of LGBTQ individuals. Named in honor of the 1969 riots commemorated as precipitating the modern LGBTQ rights movement, the Stonewall Scholarship Fund is still used to replace unnamed scholarship funds awarded by the Financial Aid Office.
The University of Chicago Law School
Chicago is home to a large and cutting edge legal community. The Law School's proximity to downtown Chicago and the close relationships with many of the leading law firms provides students with unique opportunities to meet practicing attorneys.
The Law School maintains strong connections to the greater University. Student representatives attend graduate council meetings and the Office of LGBTQ Student Life connects LGBTQ graduate students across the University. OutLaw also runs a formal Affinity Mentoring Program to connect alumni and current students, in addition to a peer mentorship program. More information can be found on the 'Alumni' page.
Chicago is also one of the most diverse cities in the United States. Boystown, a neighborhood of Chicago, serves as a cultural and community hub for the LGBTQ community.
Meet the Board