LGBT activist organizations OUTlaw LSU and Out for Work are two groups that cater to different demographics of University students, and their reach in students’ lives is apparent.
Founded in 2004, Out for Work spent three years working toward becoming a national educational non-profit organization with the goal of providing guidance to undergraduate students entering the workforce.
The mission statement of OUTlaw LSU is “to create a climate at the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center in which it is safe and comfortable to be openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or an ally.”
The membership population is open only to LSU law students and members of the LSU Law Student Bar Association, though their idea of LGBT support can be found across campus in student groups such as Spectrum.
While the OUTlaw LSU organization targets University law students, Out for Work is a national organization that concentrates its efforts to University students across the country, specifically undergraduate students.
Out for Work is a national LGBT advocacy organization aimed to inform and educate students in implementing career plans and opportunities in the transition from the academic realm to professionalism.
The organization certifies universities across the country based on 43 questions, and the answers correspond to a percentage score and a gold, silver or bronze rating.
Kayla Kucharchuk, coordinator of experiential education in LSU Career Services, said the University received a bronze rating this year compared to the silver rating it was awarded last year. The University is recertified every year.
Out for Work makes available its online library and resources that compile tips for LGBT students approaching entrance into the workforce, Kucharchuk said.
Panel coordinator for Spectrum Michael Beyer said he will be collaborating with Micah Caswell, graduate coordinator for the LGBTQ project and Safe Space Campaign in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, to raise the rating and find out the specifications for each rating.
One way the organizations try to educate the University student population is through educational panels and forums.
OUTlaw partnered with the American Constitution Society to host a panel discussion Tuesday on marriage equality in Louisiana featuring University law professor Robert Lancaster, Southern University law professor Herb Brown, Jr. and New Orleans councilmember LaToya Cantrell.
OUTlaw President Jennifer Maybery said the discussion aimed to educate law students of the logistical aspects of LGBT marriage across the country and specifically in Louisiana. A LGBT couple traveling to Louisiana would not have the authority to make medical decisions if a spouse were to be injured in an accident because the couple’s marriage is viewed as invalid, Maybery said.
“I am really glad the speakers were able to show up to speak to this issue to students,” Maybery said.
However, Beyer said he feels the OUTlaw LSU program is not directly connected with the undergraduate LGBT population because they are exclusive to LSU law students. He said this is an understandable separation but is just an example of two different demographics.
“We serve different communities,” Beyer said. “Where [OUTlaw] can have legal forums and informational panels, it may be more beneficial for an undergrad to join Spectrum.”
“We serve different communities,” Beyer said. “Where [OUTlaw] can have legal forums and informational panels, it may be more beneficial for an undergrad to join Spectrum.”