The LGBTQ+ Law Section is now accepting applications for the ninth-annual LGBTQ+ Scholarship cycle.
A total of $20,000 will be awarded in scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, based on the strength of the applications.
To be eligible for a scholarship, you must be currently enrolled, about to begin your 1L year, or be a recent graduate of an accredited public or private law school located in the State of Texas.
To apply, applicants will need to submit, in this order: 1) a personal essay with your name appearing in the upper left-hand corner; 2) a resume; 3) either an unofficial transcript or an acceptance letter (if you’re an incoming 1L), and 4), optionally, a statement of financial need.
Applicants must submit a written essay, which should discuss how immutable characteristics—such as race, ethnicity, the sex assigned to an individual at birth by another person, sexual orientation, or disability status—should or should not be considered by decision-makers.
You might consider examples such as:
• A district court judge making child-related orders in a case involving a mother and a father
• A hiring manager evaluating a racially diverse pool of job applicants
• The use of the "gay panic" defense in criminal law
Can, or should, decision-makers take into account characteristics that a person cannot change about themselves? When is it fair? When is it harmful?
The scholarship committee is not looking for any specific position or grading your essay against a predetermined rubric. Show us that you’ve thought seriously about this issue. Make us think about it in a new way. Share your personal perspective.
Your PDF application must be submitted to DeLaine Ward at delaine@austinbar.org. No application deadline has been set, though you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
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