Student Organization Spotlight: OUTLaw OUTLaw's mission is to unite LGBTQ+ law students, faculty, community members, and allies to promote diversity and build support for queer issues.

By Law Communications
March 28, 2025

In the Q&A below, members of OUTLaw discuss the goals of the organization and how students and alumni can get involved with the group.

Tell us a little bit about the organization.

OUTLaw’s mission is to unite LGBTQ+ law students, faculty, community members, and allies to promote diversity, inclusion, intersectionality, and support for queer issues. We welcome participation and support from people of all different identities, viewpoints, and backgrounds who support the dignity and equality of LGBTQ+ individuals.

We further this mission by sponsoring social and educational events at W&L Law, such as bringing in speakers to talk about LGBTQ+ law-related issues, hosting social events and fundraisers, and providing career workshops for our members. We have also sent OUTLaw members to LGBTQ+ events and conferences outside the law school. For example, OUTLaw members have attended the LGBT Bar’s Lavender Law Conference and Career Fair each year—creating meaningful connections within the queer legal community. We additionally work to connect current students with W&L alum who identify as LGBTQ+ or allies.

To further our local community, we also participate in events with the undergraduate side’s LGBTQ+ community, local trans-name change clinics, and LGBTQ+ resource centers in the surrounding area.

Do you have any upcoming events scheduled for this year?

Our all-time favorite event is Drag Moot Court, hosted in the spring. It’s a time for the whole community to rally around the LGBTQ+ community and just have some fun! Law students and undergraduate students participate as justices and advocates, responding to hilarious—and super gay—prompts.

How can alumni get involved?

We love our alumni and have an email list which we periodically send emails to, especially when we are having fun events or need alumni perspectives. We try to set up meet-ups with alumni attending Lavender Law, which is a great way for multiple generations of W&L alumni to meet.

How many law students are currently involved?  How has the law school community supported students in this organization?

We have 85+ students involved! OUTLaw came together as a way to support one another as we navigate law school within our unique identities. When we advocate within our community for change, we have experienced extensive support from faculty, staff, and alumni.

Is there anything else to share about the organization?

This past year we co-launched a career building workshop series for 1Ls with APALSA! It’s been exciting to help 1Ls in the job search through mixers, resume/cover letter development, and mentorship.