STATEMENT OF DIVERSITY

In response to the recent passing of Proposition 2, limiting the use of race and gender in public decision-making, we join with the other law school student groups in adopting this statement.

As active members of the University of Michigan Law School, we believe in the value of our uniquely collegial and diverse atmosphere which promotes vigorous intellectual exchange, cross-cultural understanding, distinguished leadership, and active citizenship—enriching both our professional and personal development during our time here.

For this reason, the members of Outlaws, along with other student organizations at Michigan Law, are reaffirming our commitment to maintaining a welcoming environment that embraces individuals from all backgrounds.

We will reach out to prospective students to make sure they know that Michigan Law School is a community where students will continue to find helpful resources, form meaningful friendships, and feel welcome regardless of race, gender, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

We will continue to work with other student groups to coordinate student group-wide social events, maintain a strong outreach program for first-year law students, and collaborate with the Admissions Office in bringing the best possible group of students to Michigan each year. We pledge to maintain the mutual respect and collegial atmosphere that brought us to Michigan Law and are happy to answer any questions you may have about our community.

Recording of Outlaws Panel Discussion on the Michigan "Marriage Amendment"

On Friday, February 2nd a panel of the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that Proposition 2, passed by Michigan voters in 2005, bans public institutions such as the University of Michigan from offering health care and other benefits to unmarried domestic partners. On February 11th, Outlaws hosted a panel discussion about the possible effects of the decision on the University LGBT community, and what the response of the University would be. The panel was composed of University General Counsel Gloria Hage, University Vice-President for Human Resources Laurita Thomas, Dean of the Law School Evan Caminker, and Professors Lawrence Waggoner and Bruce Frier.

This is a recording of that discussion, lasting somewhat over an hour. In it, the lawyers and university officials present reasons why the Appeals Court interpreted the law in a way that Michigan voters largely seem not to have intended, issues the case may face on appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court, and possible avenues that the University might follow to ensure that it remains able to offer a competitive benefits package to its employees and their families in the face of this unfortunate and offensive ruling.

The panelists and audience also have a lengthy and emotional question and answer session, which takes up about the second half of the recording. Since February's discussion concerned ongoing litigation, we have, at the request of University officials, removed a two-minute comment by one of the panelists; otherwise, the recording is complete.

Outlaws Panel Discussion (WMA format)

[plug] Spring Pride Events

Friday, March 16

KISS-IN RALLY
12 noon -1pm
Diag
Sponsored by the LGBT Commission

Mama G Book Reading, Badge 3483: A True Story
3:30-5pm
Michigan Pond A & B
This highly personal and engaging work invites readers into the life of author Charlene Genther. Genther describes her experiences as one of the first 100 female police to patrol the streets of Detroit, as well as her narrow escapes as a volunteer undercover narc. She relives the tragic family deaths and recounts graphic details of horrific crimes that took place in Detroit. She tells of the ongoing harassment she endured from fellow officers and supervisors, the hellish condition of being forced to live in Detroit, and the heartbreak of leaving the profession she loved and wanted since she was five-years-old. Genther also writes about Gloria, her spouse of nearly 30 years- the woman who stayed by her side through her days as a police officer as well as the aftermath that followed. She even shares the story of their thoughtful decision to have a child by alternative conception in 1983. Recently, she was fired from her security post at a Catholic high school in Michigan at the protest of the students. There will be a free raffle for the books!

Out of Class: LGBTQ graduate student art night at UMMA Off/Site
5:30pm-7pm
1301 South University
UMMA, Rackham Graduate School and the Office of LGBT Affairs welcomes the LGBTQ graduate student community to Off/Site with and evening of music in the gallery. This is an exciting opportunity invites students to mingle, nosh and enjoy the visual arts. Appetizers provided. Free.

The Gay-Mazing Race
7-9pm
3200 Michigan Union, Office of LGBT Affairs
Teams will compete against each other in a race around Ann Arbor. How well you know A2 and gay trivia will help you on the quest. You do have what it takes??? Teams of 3-4 are recommended or just come by yourself and you will have a team assembled. Rules: No team shall interfere with anothers progress (i.e. steal clues); You must bring back every clue and item; No cars. ee food and drinks and a social hour will follow the race. FREE. If you have questions please contact Kolby (here).

Sunday, March 18

Judaism, Homosexuality, and the Holocaust
6pm –9pm
Hillel – 1429 Hill Street
Aimee and Jaguar - a movie about the love between two women during the 1943 bombing of Berlin - will be shown and a general discussion will follow. Light refreshments will be served.
Sponsored by Hillel, AHAVA and the LGBT Office.

Monday, March 19

Gay Games 2006 Review
6 pm-8 pm
Palmer Commons Great Lake North Room
Come meet athletes who participated in the Gay Games VII and view video footage from this historic moment. Over 12,000 athletes attended the Gay Games in Chicago this past summer!

Tuesday, March 20

Homophobia in the Black Community
8 pm-10pm
Michigan League Kalamazoo Room
Dialogue centered on the existence of homophobia, being same-gender loving and Black, and addressing homophobia in the Black community.

Sponsored by the Office of LGBT Affairs & the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs

Thursday & Friday March 22 & 23

LGBTQ Ally Training
March 22 & 23 Thu 8:30-12:30 pm & Fri 12 noon - 4pm – Michigan Union MSA Chambers

LGBTQ Ally Training
Participate in the Ally Training Program through the Office of LGBT Affairs! The purpose of having the Ally Training Program is to promote a campus community in which everyone is treated with respect and dignity. Our training encourages individuals within and outside the lgbt community to be better allies to each other. Thus, lgbt members and heterosexual identified allies are welcome to participate in the training.

Ally Program participants attend an 8-hour training designed to strengthen their ability to serve as allies to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students, staff, and faculty at the University of Michigan. After completion of the 8-hour training, participants can display the Ally logo as a way to let others know that they support the right of lgbt people at the University of Michigan to fair and equal treatment. The logo also lets others know that they can turn to these individuals for support or information about lgbt people and issues. Persons of all sexual orientation and gender expression and identity are encouraged to participate. Also, this year we distributing ally t-shirts to create more visibility of allies to and within the lgbt community. The last training for the semester is: April 3 & 5, Tue & Thu 5:30 pm -9:30 pm Michigan Union Wolverine ABC.
To register and participate, please email Fleurette King (here).

Tuesday, March 27

LGBTQ Ally T-shirt Day
8 am – 5 pm
For those who have participated in the LGBTQ Ally Training last year or this year, where your LGBT Ally t-shirts. This is one great way to show visible support to the LGBTQ community. If you have not received your t-shirt, please contact Fleurette King at fking@umich.edu. If you have not attended an LGBTQ Ally training, please register to attend the 8 hour training (divided into two 4-hour sessions) on March 22 & 23 or April 3 & 5 (5:30-9:30pm).

Wednesday, March 28

What’s Your Secret Deadline
Send or drop off postcards to the Office of LGBT Affairs

Beautiful Daughters Film & discussion
6 pm- 8:30 pm
MacGregor Commons-School of Social Work
This documentary looks at the lives of four transgender women intertwined with the casting, rehearsal and opening of a V-Day benefit production of Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues." The women confront and discuss the issues they face as transgender women and how "The Vagina Monologues" is used as a vehicle to address these issues.

Friday, March 30

“Does Your Mama Know” Discussion
5 pm- 7pm
3200 Michigan Union, Office of LGBT Affairs
An open discussion on the issues of coming our in communities of color influenced by the book Does Your Mama Know: An Anthology of Black Lesbian Coming Out Stories. The discussion, lead by personal stories of coming out, will reflect the complexities of emotions that often accompany coming out stories in communities of color. The first 5 people to commit to the attending the discussion, will receive a FREE copy of the book! If interested in receiving the book, contact Fleurette King (here). All are welcome to participate in the discussion.

Saturday, March 31

WhirlyBall with the LambdaGrads
5 pm -7 pm
750 Phoenix Dr.
Join the Lambda Grads for WhirlyBall. RSVP’s encouraged (here).

[plug] Investments 101 for DPs

Investments 101 for Domestic Partners

Domestic Partners have the same financial goals as everyone else....the challenge of getting there may be different.

On Thursday, March 29, Amy Doyle, a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch, will help you explore the legal and tax implications of domestic partnership and uncover strategies that can benefit every facet of your financial life. You will get insightful advice on preserving assets for your domestic partner and/or children, retirement strategies such as tax-advantaged distribution alternatives and beneficiary designation, tax smart investing and capital gains considerations, legacy protection, and philanthropic and liquidity strategies including trusts and life insurance.

Call 734.996.1138 to reserve your place today.

Date: Thursday March 29, 2007

Time: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Location: Michigan Union – Anderson Room B (1st floor)

[news] Diversity Blueprints Task Force Report

Dear Campus Community Members:

Today the Diversity Blueprints Task Force submitted its final report to the president. The task force, comprised of 55 individuals including faculty, staff, administrators, students and alumni, was appointed in December to identify innovative strategies to sustain and enhance diversity at the University of Michigan in the wake of Proposal 2.

We set an ambitious timeline for this task force because the work is so urgent. The diversity of our faculty, staff and students-and our ability to reap the benefits of that diversity-is vital to our future academic strength.

We want to thank the task force members for their extraordinary work, and all those members of the community who engaged with the task force by submitting ideas or speaking at the public forums. In just a few short weeks the task force members committed their time to five full task force meetings, four public forums, more than 35 hours of subcommittee meetings, a two-day workshop with key administrators from other states, a meeting with school superintendents, and review of the more than 400 ideas submitted by e-mail.

This final report, posted (here), is a summary and synthesis designed to guide our immediate next steps. Detailed materials, including all the suggestions received and the complete reports of the subcommittees, will be archived at the Bentley Historical Library and will be made available to individuals and units responsible for planning and implementation.

Implementation of this report and its recommendations will be directed by the Provost and the other Executive Officers. We believe that every part of the University should be engaged in diversity. We anticipate that a wide range of groups and individuals will be involved in the implementation, including Student Affairs, Human Resources, the Health System, the deans, faculty leaders and SACUA, student organizations, staff organizations such as Voices of the Staff, the Alumni Association, and organizations such as the Diversity Council that represent a variety of constituencies. We plan to assess our progress at the Diversity Summit in Fall 2007.

This report lays out some very ambitious goals. We should not be satisfied just with maintaining numerical diversity, but instead should aim for real gains in fostering a campus environment that supports the success of all our faculty, staff and students. The recommendations of this task force will require sustained attention over a period of months and even years in order to realize our goals.

We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, and our leadership team will be fully engaged in this work. We look forward to your participation.

Sincerely,

President Mary Sue Coleman
Provost Teresa A. Sullivan, Co-Chair
Senior Vice Provost Lester P. Monts, Co-Chair

Jenny Pizer visits the Law School

Outlaws & BGLAM Present:

"LGBT Healthcare and the Law"
Thursday, March 15th @ 6 p.m. in 138HH

Featuring Jennifer Pizer
Sr. Counsel at Lambda Legal*

Dinner Provided

*Jennifer C. Pizer is Senior Counsel with Lambda Legal, the country's premiere legal advocate serving the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) civil rights movement. Pizer litigates cases to advance domestic partner protections, the rights of gay parents, and marriage equality, and to end sexual orientation discrimination in employment, education, healthcare, and housing. Pizer represents Guadalupe Benitez in litigation against her former physicians for withholding infertility treatment because she is a lesbian, based on their Christian beliefs. This case resulted in the first court ruling affirming a gay patient's right to challenge a doctor's discriminatory refusal of care. The question whether doctors' religious liberty trumps patients' civil rights is before the California Supreme Court now. Pizer is an adjunct professor at USC Law School and Loyola Law School. She is a graduate of NYU School of Law and Harvard College. From 2002-2006, the Daily Journal, California's leading legal newspaper, has named Pizer one of the top women litigators in California.

Preview Weekend Events!

I can't believe I forgot to post this. Preview Weekend (#1) is upon us, and Outlaws will definitely be there in full force. I remember my own Preview Weekend very well, and I remember thinking, "How am I going to find them?" The answer: it really wasn't that hard. In fact, we'll be at just about everything you're at, and if you just ask someone, they'll point you in our direction. Outlaws is no big secret.

You probably don't know the schedule yet, but we do. And we've planned two social events around it.

• Unofficial Welcome Prospectives Kick Off at AutBar (map): Thursday 10:30-ish, after the SFF auction. We can sit around, have drinks or a late dinner, and just chat. Or go upstairs, play pool, and drop dollars on the world's gayest juke box.
  
• Official Welcome Party! at Andrew’s house (we'll meet and walk together--place and time to be announced), with the party continuing out and about in Ann Arbor (bring your dancing shoes, ok?).
  

I'm still waiting to hear when and where the official "meeting spots" will be for each event. Don't worry, though. We won't leave you behind.

If you're coming this weekend, let us know. Drop us an email (the address is to the right) and say hi.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Film: "The Aggressives"

The Aggressives"
March 14 @ 6:00 pm
McGregor Commons, School of Social Work

If forced to choose from the more widely known descriptions of sexual and gender orientation, the six women whose lives are profiled in The Aggressives are almost impossible to label. They are beyond butch, masculine-identified but not transgender, and they perform their gender in competitive balls but do not consider themselves drag kings. An important look at gender identity, gender expression and the social oppression experienced by those who challenge the rules of gender.