am I diverse? Forum

[notsogood32]

Throwaway account for obvious reasons. Not a flame, I promise, I'm just naïve.
I'm white, and Canadian, so I'm assuming this makes me a non-URM for a variety of reasons.
However, I fall under the LGBTQ spectrum - I'm asexual, and I'm just beginning to come to grips with it. I feel awkward including/mentioning this though since a) I'm white and not diverse and b) most jobs specifically reference LGBT only.

So, my questions are:
1) Can I apply to LGBT positions or should I avoid them? I don't want to be misrepresenting myself.
2) If I qualify as diverse, how exactly do I explain this on a resumé/CV?
3) How does one write a diversity statement?

Thanks in advance.

[071816]

no gtfo

[stego]

Throwaway account for obvious reasons. Not a flame, I promise, I'm just naïve.
I'm white, and Canadian, so I'm assuming this makes me a non-URM for a variety of reasons.
However, I fall under the LGBTQ spectrum - I'm asexual, and I'm just beginning to come to grips with it. I feel awkward including/mentioning this though since a) I'm white and not diverse and b) most jobs specifically reference LGBT only.

So, my questions are:
1) Can I apply to LGBT positions or should I avoid them? I don't want to be misrepresenting myself.
2) If I qualify as diverse, how exactly do I explain this on a resumé/CV?
3) How does one write a diversity statement?

Thanks in advance.

1) What kind of jobs are LGBT only? You might be able to apply for those jobs if you explain what you are and don't misrepresent yourself. Whether you have a shot at these positions - I don't know, maybe it depends on how open-minded the hiring manager is? I guess you also have to ask yourself how well you can relate to LGBT folks. You probably haven't faced a lot of the obstacles they have (not to say there aren't any, but they're probably pretty minimal if you pass for straight).

One thing that could possibly put this into context for you is if you have a romantic orientation separate from your sexual orientation. Are you aromantic? Heteroromantic? Homoromantic? I've known one person in real life who identified as asexual; he identifies as gay now.

2) You probably don't qualify as diverse.
3) This probably doesn't justify writing a diversity statement.

[artistar]

No.

I understand the impulse to categorize oneself, and I also understand the politics behind the LGBTQ community tacking the 'A' onto the alphabet soup in recent years, but this is just too far of a stretch for a law school or job application. And I say that as a person who is a visible part of the lgbt community. I think if you write a diversity statement on this it will confuse people more than help your application.

[stego]

No.

I understand the impulse to categorize oneself, and I also understand the politics behind the LGBTQ community tacking the 'A' onto the alphabet soup in recent years, but this is just too far of a stretch for a law school or job application. And I say that as a person who is a visible part of the lgbt community. I think if you write a diversity statement on this it will confuse people more than help your application.

I basically agree with what you're telling OP, but first of all I still don't understand what kind of jobs are actually limited to LGBT only, and secondly if OP is a biromantic or homoromantic asexual it would be easier/more justifiable for them to fall under the LGBT umbrella.

[chuckbass]

No.

I understand the impulse to categorize oneself, and I also understand the politics behind the LGBTQ community tacking the 'A' onto the alphabet soup in recent years, but this is just too far of a stretch for a law school or job application. And I say that as a person who is a visible part of the lgbt community. I think if you write a diversity statement on this it will confuse people more than help your application.

I basically agree with what you're telling OP, but first of all I still don't understand what kind of jobs are actually limited to LGBT only, and secondly if OP is a biromantic or homoromantic asexual it would be easier/more justifiable for them to fall under the LGBT umbrella.

There are less LGBT-specific positions than for other diverse candidates, but they do exist. More commonly, general diversity positions encourage LGBT applicants to apply. Generally you would indicate this on your resume by joining your school's Outlaw/Lambda group, and you could also become a member of the LGBT Bar Association and add that to your resume as well. When applying to diversity positions, you just talk about how your diversity contributes to XYZ in your cover letter or talk about what you've done in relation to it (again getting involved in your school's group or volunteering).

It's up to you whether to go this route and I have no comment on that.