OUTlaw, the student-run LGBT awareness, advocacy, support, and social group at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, will host “Queer in the Midwest,” the annual Midwest LGBT law conference this weekend.
The conference, which begins Friday, Feb. 25, and runs through Sunday, Feb. 27, is an opportunity for students, lawyers and advocates to come together and discuss current issues in LGBT advocacy and politics. Conference topics are race and sexuality, transgender advocacy, impact litigation and LGBT politics in a red state.
“It’s important for LGBT law students, especially in a more conservative region like the Midwest, to know that they are part of a vibrant community and can be successful as legal professionals,” says Jessica Hille, third-year law student and conference chair.
“The conference is also a chance to raise awareness about topics like transgender issues and the intersection of race and sexuality, which are often downplayed or ignored in the ‘mainstream’ LGBT dialogue,” Hille says.
Darren Hutchinson, JD, professor of law at American University, will serve as keynote speaker for the event.
Hutchinson is a noted scholar and speaker on constitutional law, critical race theory, law and sexuality, and social identity theory.
The conference will take place in Anhueser-Busch Hall. A full list of times, speakers and conference registration information is available at washuoutlaw.com.
Registration is required.
This conference is supported by the Charles & Bunny Burson Student Activities Fund at the law school.