Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy


The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law is a public policy research institute based at the UCLA School of Law focused on sexual orientation and gender identities issues.

History

The Williams Institute was founded in 2001 through a grant by Charles R. "Chuck" Williams. Williams's inaugural donation of $2.5 million to create the institute was the largest donation ever given to any academic institution in support of a LGBT academic program in any discipline. In 2013, Williams donated an additional $5.5 million to support the institute.

Activities

The Williams Institute focuses on legal research, public policy analysis, judicial training, and leadership development. Their core focus issues include employment discrimination, same-sex marriage, adoption, LGBT youth, public health, immigration, poverty, and violence. The institute also provides an LGBT analysis of the United States Census.

Researchers

Researchers involved with the Williams Institute include: