A Day in the Life of a LGBT Lawyer!
Your always faithful and diligent Pierce Law Career Services Reporter gladly attended the Day in the life of a LGBT Lawyer panel co-sponsored by Career Services, LAMBDA, and the SBA. I was overwhelmed by the attendance at this panel. Many teachers and students attended to show support for LGBT lawyers and students as well as to learn more about the trials and tribulations that LGBT students and lawyers face in the “real world.”
This panel was eye opening to me. Discussed were issues such as when to tell your employer that you are gay, and if that is even necessary. Debates arose as to the best method of doing so and it was decided that the decision comes down to a personal choice that a person wishes to make.
Panelists Barbara Keshen, an attorney from the NH Civil Liberties Union and James Steele, a FPLC grad now working for Converse, offered their take on how to approach your sexuality in the workplace.
James suggested that you only chose a firm, or place to work that supports your lifestyle and makes you feel comfortable. If it requires discussing your sexuality with the hiring partner to determine whether the firm is the right atmosphere for you, then you should do so. He didn’t really have too much experience working in a practice where he was not out to his co-workers so he couldn’t really offer much advice on that side.
Barbara Keshen took a different stance on the debate and offered suggestions from her personal experience working in different areas of law. She has worked in an atmosphere where she was not out and in atmospheres where she was out and offered the advice that it felt much better to be herself and to be out with her co-workers. She discussed the fear of coming out for the first time, but offered that it feels invigorating and free to increase your relationship with your co-workers to the extent that you can be out and be yourself. She suggests that you take your time, move at your own pace and go with what feels right.
Other issues such as what to include on your resume, what to do if someone assumes you are straight and you are not, how to handle an interview that goes south once you mention that you are gay, or if you are asked if you are gay during an interview, etc.
Students that were unable to attend this panel and that have questions relating to topics that were covered at this panel can come to career services to discuss their questions. Also if you would like to get involved in LAMDA feel free to contact Amy Schroeder, president of LAMDA to find out when the next meeting is.
I would like to stress that LAMDA is an open club for ALL students regardless of your sexuality. It is a community designed to enhance the civil rights for LGBT students as well as increase the awareness that LGBT students are the same as everyone else. Some of my greatest friends are members of this club and not all are homosexuals. I encourage everyone to attend a LAMDA sponsored event or to join the club sometime in the future. It is never too late :)
You Stay Supportive Pierce Law! (Again, my shameless spin on Anchorman's sign-off)