LGBTQ Law and Public Policy

 The rights of LGBTQ people in the United States have changed dramatically over the past two decades, and today, battles over LGBTQ rights continue to be fought at the state and federal levels.  This course will explore the changing landscape of LGBTQ rights across a range of topics, including: marriage, employment discrimination, access to public accommodations, public education, healthcare access, immigration, and HIV criminalization. 
The course will pay particular attention to the factual and evidentiary bases for judicial, government agency, and legislative decision-making in areas affecting LGBTQ rights.  Students will consider the evolving roles of social science research and data in these decision-making processes and will also examine the roles that race, class, immigration status, gender, and gender identity play. 
In addition to participating in classroom discussions, students will write a research paper on a topic related to LGBTQ law and public policy.