Title IX is a federal law that prohibits gender discrimination in federally funded Virginia colleges and universities. It's an expansive law that intends to remedy numerous gender-related issues that create a hostile educational environment, such as a disparity in athletic opportunities, inequitable admission, sexual violence, and sexual harassment.
But as society evolves, there's been a need for Title IX to evolve with it for the law to remain effective. LGBTQ+ students are a vulnerable demographic who are subjected to gender discrimination, particularly sexual misconduct, at significantly higher rates than other students. Consequently, Title IX's provisions have been extended to protect these students.
LGBTQ+ Students as Respondents
The narrative of LGBTQ+ students as victims of sexual misconduct is one that is always acknowledged. But a topic that's rarely explored is what happens when LGBTQ+ students are falsely accused of sexual misconduct. Being apart of a demographic that is already incredibly marginalized while simultaneously being branded a perpetrator of any kind of sexual misconduct can be devastating for queer respondents. Before an LGBTQ+ student can even prove their innocence, society projects a premature judgment onto respondents that will cause some people to treat them poorly.
The Impact of Stereotypes of Prejudices on Title IX Cases
LGBTQ+ students already have trouble gaining acceptance on college campuses in general. With these allegations attached to their name, the small community they once found refuge in may reject them, further isolating them. Not to mention that they're less likely to garner any type of sympathy due to society's perpetuation of stereotypes and false characterizations of their sexuality. To many people, people who aren't straight are perceived as over-sexualized and impulsive with uncontrollable sexual urges. Believing these stereotypes is dangerous because it creates an environment that makes people feel justified in bullying queer respondents, and not believing their side of the story.
Your Rights
If you are an LGBTQ+ student who has been accused of sexual misconduct, you are afforded several rights throughout the Title IX process:
- The right to receive notice of the charges brought against you: When a report is submitted to school authorities by an accuser, the institution must inform you of these charges before school processes or disciplinary actions commence. Schools don't always conduct themselves in a fair manner though, however.
- The right to hear a description of the university's evidence against you: In some instances, a college or university may inform you of the charges brought against you, but they provide little information about the evidence. In order for you to adequately defend yourself, you must be aware of all the evidence that will be used against you. When this information is not available, the process can't be fair or impartial.
- The right to present your account of events to an impartial panel: The importance of having a panel that isn't biased in any form or fashion cannot be understated.
- The right to have an attorney present during the hearing: Just about every higher education institution gives the accused the option of having an “advisor” to assist them during school processes and hearings. Many students hire a lawyer to be their advisor to ensure that their rights are fully protected and to send the message to schools that they are being watched for possible misconduct.
- The right to certain student services: You should not be denied access to counseling services or any other services offered by the school.
- The right to have your case heard under standard procedures used for all similar cases: This right guarantees that all cases are mitigated in a standardized and consistent fashion across the board.
Student Defense Attorney Helping Clients in Virginia
If you are an LGBTQ+ student in Virginia whose been accused of sexual misconduct, it may seem like you're in the Title IX process alone. But you can retain an advocate who will be on your side, regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity. Attorney Joseph D. Lento has dedicated his entire life to helping students of all demographics put up a fight when falsely accused of sexual misconduct. He'll help you gather facts, testify, and gain an understanding of your school's policies and processes so you have a fighting chance. Contact him today at 888-535-3686.
Virginia colleges and universities where Joseph D. Lento can help as your or your LGBTQ+ student's Title IX advisor during investigations, hearings, and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following schools:
- Advanced Technology Institute
- Argosy University Washington D.C.
- Averett University
- Averett University Non Traditional Programs
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance Chesapeake
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance Manassas
- Bethel College
- Blue Ridge Community College
- Bluefield College
- Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
- Bridgewater College
- Bryant & Stratton College Hampton
- Bryant and Stratton College Richmond
- Bryant and Stratton College Virginia Beach
- Central Virginia Community College
- Centura College Chesapeake
- Centura College Newport News
- Centura College Norfolk
- Centura College Richmond Main
- Centura College Richmond Westend
- Centura College Virginia Beach
- Chamberlain College of Nursing
- Christopher Newport University
- College of William and Mary
- Dabney S Lancaster Community College
- Danville Community College
- DeVry University Virginia
- Eastern Mennonite University
- Eastern Shore Community College
- ECPI University
- Emory and Henry College
- Everest College Arlington
- Everest College Chesapeake
- Everest College McLean
- Everest College Newport News
- Ferrum College
- Fortis College Norfolk
- Fortis College Richmond
- George Mason University
- Germanna Community College
- Hampden Sydney College
- Hampton University
- Hollins University
- ITT Technical Institute Chantilly
- ITT Technical Institute Norfolk
- ITT Technical Institute Richmond
- ITT Technical Institute Salem
- ITT Technical Institute Springfield
- J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
- James Madison University
- Jefferson College of Health Sciences
- John Tyler Community College
- Liberty University
- Longwood University
- Lord Fairfax Community College
- Lynchburg College
- Mary Baldwin College
- Marymount University
- Miller Motte Technical College Lynchburg
- Mountain Empire Community College
- National College Salem
- New River Community College
- Norfolk State University
- Northern Virginia Community College
- Old Dominion University
- Patrick Henry Community College
- Paul D Camp Community College
- Piedmont Virginia Community College
- Potomac College Herndon
- Radford University
- Randolph College
- Randolph Macon College
- Rappahannock Community College
- Regent University
- Richard Bland College of the College of William and Mary
- Roanoke College
- Saint Pauls College
- Sanford Brown College Tysons Corner
- Shenandoah University
- Skyline College Roanoke
- South University Richmond
- South University Virginia Beach
- Southeast Culinary & Hospitality College
- Southern Virginia University
- Southside Virginia Community College
- Southwest Virginia Community College
- Stratford University
- Sweet Briar College
- The Art Institute of Virginia Beach
- The Art Institute of Washington
- The Art Institute of Washington Northern Virginia
- The University of Virginia's College at Wise
- Thomas Nelson Community College
- Tidewater Community College
- University of Management and Technology (The)
- University of Mary Washington
- University of Phoenix Northern Virginia Campus
- University of Phoenix Richmond Campus
- University of Richmond
- University of Virginia Main Campus
- Virginia College
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Virginia Highlands Community College
- Virginia Intermont College
- Virginia Military Institute
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Virginia State University
- Virginia Union University
- Virginia University of Lynchburg
- Virginia Wesleyan College
- Virginia Western Community College
- Washington and Lee University
- Westwood College Annandale
- Westwood College Arlington Ballston
- Wytheville Community College
Approximately 10% of college students in the United States identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, or questioning according to studies and LGBTQ+ students should not feel alone when accused of sexual misconduct. As importantly, they should they not face such burdens alone or without the necessary support and guidance.
The reason LGBTQ+ students should not go through the Title IX process alone is because, as with all students accused of sexual misconduct, Title IX allegations and charges can change an accused student's life if not defended against properly and as early as possible during the disciplinary process. It is critical to have a dedicated and experienced advocate when facing a challenge in life and Joseph D. Lento has more than a decade of experience passionately fighting for the future of LGBTQ+ students at universities and colleges throughout the nation. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead, prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in New Jersey and New York, and serves as a Title IX advisor to students facing Title IX and disciplinary cases in Virginia and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National Title IX attorney Joseph D. Lento today at 888-535-3686.
