Lesbians and gay men have found places in law firms of many sizes and types of practice, succeeded in organizing their own small law firms, risen within the ranks of legal education, taken seats on the bench, and, of course, have worked in law firms specializing in the gay and lesbian rights movement. The National Lesbian and Gay Law Association now has a seat in the ABA's House of Delegates. Despite all of this progress, you may be wondering what kind of reception you will receive both in the profession and, more immediately, in law school. You also may have questions about the process of selecting and applying to law school. This page is designed to address some of these questions, and to raise some issues that you may not have thought much about.
Most law schools welcome and encourage all applicants.
In fact, you may find that the choices available to you are somewhat overwhelming. Even the most gay-friendly law school will have some faculty and students who are less than enthusiastic about the presence and integration of openly gay students. Nevertheless, you, like many before you, will be able to find a law school where you will feel at home. Once you have decided where to apply, the next decision you may face is whether to come out in your application. Some people will conclude that their sexual orientation is irrelevant and choose not to mention it.