The administration officially recognized Cumberland OUTLaws this afternoon. Knowing that future students will finally have the support system I lacked during my time at the law school means everything to me.
December 28, 2021
Final supporters
Current students at Cumberland School of Law seek to establish a LGBTQ+ recognized organization -- Cumberland OUTLaws. The purpose of the group will be to promote diversity and encourage legal studies specific to the LGBTQ+ community. Samford University must approve this group through a complex recognition process.
As you may know, Samford University has historically refused to formally recognize any LGBTQ+ organization on its campus. When a group of undergraduates attempted to do so in 2016 (Samford Together), the request did not proceed to the final step of the approval process.
Samford's non-discrimination clause states, "The University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, ..." which, as promulgated by the United States Supreme Court, includes claims regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. Furthermore, the Core Values of Samford include providing to its students "learning and responsible freedom of inquiry," "appreciation for diverse cultures and convictions," and "personal empowerment, accountability, and responsibility."
By signing this petition as alumni and friends of Cumberland School of Law, you support the creation and recognition of Cumberland OUTLaws, a LGBTQ+ law student organization, devoted to inclusion, equality, and legal studies specific to LGBTQ+ issues, students, and allies.
Updates
November 8, 2021
I have spent the last few days reading through the stories many of you have shared about your time at Cumberland. Seeing your memories and your desire for a more inclusive future for current students is exactly what keeps me pushing forward with this request.
November 8, 2021
Seeing this level of support from my fellow alumni feels like a turning point for the law school I love. My heart is full knowing that so many of you stand with the students who are fighting for their place on this campus.
Reached 100 supporters
November 8, 2021
28 Comments
There shouldn't be ANY exceptions for discrimination against a protected class no matter what religion the university promotes.
As an LGBTQ+ attorney, Christian, and ally of students at Cumberland, I fully support the approval of Cumberland’s OUTLaw group. The legal profession is diverse and so are the clients we serve — there should be representation at every law school. OUTLaw creates a forum for legal and policy discussion related to LGBTQ+ issues while bringing together a community of law school students, faculty, and alumni. Further, as an unaffiliated Christian school, it is important for Samford to recognize that there are theological differences among the many denominations on the topic of homosexuality and the positions of many denominations are changing. Closing ourselves off to differing worldviews to protect revenue streams is contrary to the mission of an institute of higher learning.
As an LGBTQ+ Samford alumna, it is well past time for this to happen. Hopefully this will allow for broader acceptance of LGBTQ+ people at Samford as a whole, and not just at Cumberland.
It is nothing short of an affront to core Christian values that the university would refuse to recognize a group that would foster a sense of community and mutual concern among law students. It’s 2021, almost 2022. Why is this discussion still necessary?
The fact that setting up this group on campus requires a petition is enough to make me question my affiliation with Cumberland.
Out gay man, Samford Class of '75 . . grateful for your courage! I support you 100 per cent!
This organization would give law students a place to feel safe and a sense of community. Disallowing it is unnecessary and discriminatory.
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The administration officially recognized Cumberland OUTLaws this afternoon. Knowing that future students will finally have the support system I lacked during my time at the law school means everything to me.
December 28, 2021
Final supporters
Current students at Cumberland School of Law seek to establish a LGBTQ+ recognized organization -- Cumberland OUTLaws. The purpose of the group will be to promote diversity and encourage legal studies specific to the LGBTQ+ community. Samford University must approve this group through a complex recognition process.
As you may know, Samford University has historically refused to formally recognize any LGBTQ+ organization on its campus. When a group of undergraduates attempted to do so in 2016 (Samford Together), the request did not proceed to the final step of the approval process.
Samford's non-discrimination clause states, "The University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, ..." which, as promulgated by the United States Supreme Court, includes claims regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. Furthermore, the Core Values of Samford include providing to its students "learning and responsible freedom of inquiry," "appreciation for diverse cultures and convictions," and "personal empowerment, accountability, and responsibility."
By signing this petition as alumni and friends of Cumberland School of Law, you support the creation and recognition of Cumberland OUTLaws, a LGBTQ+ law student organization, devoted to inclusion, equality, and legal studies specific to LGBTQ+ issues, students, and allies.
Updates
November 8, 2021
I have spent the last few days reading through the stories many of you have shared about your time at Cumberland. Seeing your memories and your desire for a more inclusive future for current students is exactly what keeps me pushing forward with this request.
November 8, 2021
Seeing this level of support from my fellow alumni feels like a turning point for the law school I love. My heart is full knowing that so many of you stand with the students who are fighting for their place on this campus.
Reached 100 supporters
November 8, 2021
28 Comments
As class president of the class of 2017 and a member of the LGBTQ community, I whole heartedly believe this organization is MUCH NEEDED!
There shouldn't be ANY exceptions for discrimination against a protected class no matter what religion the university promotes.
As an LGBTQ+ attorney, Christian, and ally of students at Cumberland, I fully support the approval of Cumberland’s OUTLaw group. The legal profession is diverse and so are the clients we serve — there should be representation at every law school. OUTLaw creates a forum for legal and policy discussion related to LGBTQ+ issues while bringing together a community of law school students, faculty, and alumni. Further, as an unaffiliated Christian school, it is important for Samford to recognize that there are theological differences among the many denominations on the topic of homosexuality and the positions of many denominations are changing. Closing ourselves off to differing worldviews to protect revenue streams is contrary to the mission of an institute of higher learning.
As an LGBTQ+ Samford alumna, it is well past time for this to happen. Hopefully this will allow for broader acceptance of LGBTQ+ people at Samford as a whole, and not just at Cumberland.
It is nothing short of an affront to core Christian values that the university would refuse to recognize a group that would foster a sense of community and mutual concern among law students. It’s 2021, almost 2022. Why is this discussion still necessary?
The fact that setting up this group on campus requires a petition is enough to make me question my affiliation with Cumberland.
Out gay man, Samford Class of '75 . . grateful for your courage! I support you 100 per cent!
This organization would give law students a place to feel safe and a sense of community. Disallowing it is unnecessary and discriminatory.
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As class president of the class of 2017 and a member of the LGBTQ community, I whole heartedly believe this organization is MUCH NEEDED!