var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.pubads().disableInitialLoad(); });
device = device.default;
//this function refreshes [adhesion] ad slot every 60 second and makes prebid bid on it every 60 seconds // Set timer to refresh slot every 60 seconds function setIntervalMobile() { if (!device.mobile()) return if (adhesion) setInterval(function(){ googletag.pubads().refresh([adhesion]); }, 60000); } if(device.desktop()) { googletag.cmd.push(function() { leaderboard_top = googletag.defineSlot('/22018898626/LC_Article_detail_page', [728, 90], 'div-gpt-ad-1591620860846-0').setTargeting('pos', ['1']).setTargeting('div_id', ['leaderboard_top']).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.enableServices(); }); } else if(device.tablet()) { googletag.cmd.push(function() { leaderboard_top = googletag.defineSlot('/22018898626/LC_Article_detail_page', [320, 50], 'div-gpt-ad-1591620860846-0').setTargeting('pos', ['1']).setTargeting('div_id', ['leaderboard_top']).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.enableServices(); }); } else if(device.mobile()) { googletag.cmd.push(function() { leaderboard_top = googletag.defineSlot('/22018898626/LC_Article_detail_page', [320, 50], 'div-gpt-ad-1591620860846-0').setTargeting('pos', ['1']).setTargeting('div_id', ['leaderboard_top']).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.enableServices(); }); } googletag.cmd.push(function() { // Enable lazy loading with... googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ // Fetch slots within 5 viewports. // fetchMarginPercent: 500, fetchMarginPercent: 100, // Render slots within 2 viewports. // renderMarginPercent: 200, renderMarginPercent: 100, // Double the above values on mobile, where viewports are smaller // and users tend to scroll faster. mobileScaling: 2.0 }); });
Download App | FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
 Upload Your Resume   Employers / Post Jobs 

Michelle Fernandez: President of OUTlaws at Wayne State University Law School, Detroit, MI

published January 08, 2007

Published By
( 15 votes, average: 4.7 out of 5)
What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.
As President of OUTlaws, Fernandez is in charge of coming up with activities, overseeing the group's monthly meetings, working on the group's website, and welcoming people into the group. Generally, though, she works hand in hand with the group's vice president on each of these tasks and anything else that might come up.

"The most important part of the OUTlaws is making a safe environment for LGBT students, as well as having allies," Fernandez said. "It is important to make the students feel safe. We are a support group when necessary and can easily become a study group during finals. We also work to bring LGBT issues out in the open to the students and faculty of Wayne State University."


For Fernandez, creating a climate of acceptance and support within the OUTlaws is of utmost importance because it was the group's initial acceptance of her that led to some of the most valuable friendships she has today.

"I began law school as a nervous first year like most and needed somewhere to feel comfortable," she said. "I saw a flier advertising the OUTlaws' first meeting of the year. I searched for all of the courage I could muster and went to the meeting not knowing what to expect. I went in with the fear of being ostracized, and I left with some of the best friends I have ever had."

The OUTlaws have two main goals. The group strives to create a safe environment for LGBT students as well as bringing LGBT issues to the attention of WSU students and faculty.

"The OUTlaws want to show people that being gay will not ruin your life and that things really need to change," Fernandez said. "Striving towards these two objectives has caused us to collaborate with other schools, such as the WSU undergraduate LGBT group, University of Michigan OUTlaws, University of Detroit LGBT group, and Cooley's group as well. Working together with similar organizations helps ensure our issues will permeate all areas and not just within the scope of the WSU law school."

Throughout the year, the OUTlaws try to hold as many school-wide meetings and discussion groups as possible in order to bring LGBT issues to the forefront of the law students' minds. They also attend the Lavender law conference, sponsor Diversity Day, and host panel discussions with notable speakers and LGBT representatives.

In addition to her responsibilities as both a law student and president of a student organization, Fernandez is also currently interning for the Triangle Foundation, a state-wide foundation dedicated to advocacy on behalf of LGBT people. When Fernandez met Jeffrey Montgomery, the organization's director, and began talking with him about her opinions on current legal issues, she was delighted to hear Montgomery voice his interest in creating a legal department within the Triangle Foundation. Shortly after their conversation, Montgomery did indeed develop the department, and Fernandez was able to come aboard as an intern.

"The experience thus far has involved me tackling the much needed clerical work. After all, a business can not run smoothly without a concrete system to rely upon. Since the project is new, we are in the midst of developing the aforementioned system," she said. "Our goal is to personally help clients coming to us and also continue to refer them to lawyers, social workers, shelters, etc. that will look beyond their sexual orientation and help with the matter at hand. Triangle has been working diligently from the beginning to ensure that the LGBT community is given the proper attention. Homosexual individuals are discriminated against enough as it is, and Triangle has taken the stance to help ameliorate the problem."

Upon graduation, Fernandez plans to continue her fight on behalf of the LGBT community as a civil rights attorney. In this role, she hopes to be able to put her law school education, real-world experience, and personal interests into practice in order to make a difference for LGBT people.

"I want to bring these people in and let them know that it will be ok and personally be part of making them feel better. I understand that the courts are not that cut and dry, and I'm not going out there to learn that; but this is something I have a passion for, and I want nothing more than to dive in," she said.

"I am vehement about LGBT issues or any other discriminatory cases for that matter. I want to help those who have been wronged and help change the law so people can finally be treated with equality," she said. "I'm definitely not naïve and understand that I am not going to save the world, but I would like to use my legal knowledge for this purpose and claim self-worth along the way."

published January 08, 2007

( 15 votes, average: 4.7 out of 5)
What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.