Fellowships and Scholarships

LGBT Rights Fellowship

The time for true equality for LGBT people is now.

This battle may be the civil rights movement of the century in the United States and around the globe. LGBT Rights Fellows at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law

are fighting that battle in legal, legislative, political and electoral areas at the local, state, national and international levels.

At Hofstra Law, LGBT Rights Fellows learn the legal skills necessary to succeed in their fight for LGBT rights in such areas as hate crime protections, employment discrimination and international human rights. Through policy work, scholarship and direct representation, LGBT Rights Fellows have the opportunity to make an impact and promote change in the world.

OUTLaw is a student organization at Hofstra Law for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex law students — as well as their allies — with a mission to provide a unified voice for the LGBTQI community and inspire collective action.

Up to three LGBT Rights Fellows are chosen each year from students admitted to the entering class. Fellows are chosen based on demonstrated academic ability and experience advocating for LGBT rights. Advocacy may include political activity, providing legal assistance to LGBT social-support networks, and other forms of social justice work related to LGBT individuals and communities. Upon graduation, Fellows are expected to commit to helping further LGBT equality. The Fellowship is open to persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Fellows are eligible for up to two $7,500 stipends to support LGBT rights-related summer internships with nonprofit or government employers.

In order to maintain their fellowship, Fellows are expected to fully participate in program activities and internships and meet all academic requirements.

While at Hofstra Law, LGBT Rights Fellows have made an impact on LGBT equality through a variety of activities. For example, they have:

  • represented refugees seeking asylum on account of their sexual orientation or gender identity

  • participated in a 10-week judicial internship rotation with openly gay and lesbian judges through the LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York’s Hank Henry Fellowship

  • attended the National LGBT Bar Association’s Lavender Law Conference & Career Fair

  • assisted with the semiannual Name & Gender Marker Change Clinic for transgender and gender-nonconforming adults, youths and children

  • enrolled in courses such as Sexuality, Gender and the Law; Employment Discrimination; and International Human Rights Law

The program celebrates 16 years of alumni who make an impact every day and continue to serve as mentors to our LGBT Rights Fellows. Fellows have gone to work at law firms, public-policy organizations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations that provide legal services for indigent clients.

To be considered for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Rights Fellowship, you must first be admitted to Hofstra Law. After you have been admitted, you will be able to access the application and further instructions online at law.hofstra.edu/AdmittedStudents.

A completed application should include:

  1. A résumé.
  2. A personal statement.
  3. Two letters of recommendation.

Finalists will be invited to interview with the Selection Committee.

Deadline: June 15 (rolling admissions)

For More Information:

Contact the Office of Enrollment Management at lawcounselor@hofstra.edu.

“Hofstra Law is committed to the fight for civil rights and equality. We are proud to support law students who are committed to advancing LGBT rights, so that we can help to create a more just society.”
— Lauris Wren, Clinical Professor of Law and Director, LGBT Rights Fellowship Program

“The LGBT Rights Fellowship is a one-of-a-kind program that has been key to my success as a transgender woman of color. Before I even got to campus, the Fellowship provided me a network of classmates and faculty to help me navigate the unique challenges as an out, first-generation law student. Because of the Fellowship’s support, I was able to access unique internships and other professional experiences, including a network of attorneys that I still rely on today.”
— Stevie Tran ’13, Partner, Tran Arrowsmith PLLC