Hi all, I posted this question on some other forums and there was a lot of division in the discussion so I've decided to post here as well for some further input.

I plan on applying to law school next cycle and I'm considering writing a diversity statement, but I'm not sure if I qualify/it would hurt my chances of admission.

Basically, growing up I was raised by a lesbian couple in a overwhelmingly Mormon neighborhood in the heart of Utah (I'm an IVF baby). I believe that because of my family background, I faced heavy discrimination/adversity growing up and that this adversity has heavily shaped the person that I am today. For example, in grade school most kids were disallowed/discouraged from talking or interacting with me due to my family background. I wasn't invited/allowed to participate in birthday parties, sleepovers, etc. Relentless bullying in school, teachers discriminated against my parents and I as well, and much much more.

Personally, I feel like this qualifies for a diversity statement, but I have two reservations...

I'm an otherwise normal straight white male, and I'm worried that this might disqualify me from being able to write a diversity statement. From reading around, it seems many believe that my position of privilege from my race/gender excludes experiencing the adversity that other LGBT/minority applicants have faced. It might sound silly, but I am worried that an admissions officer might disagree that my background qualifies as true diversity, and that this might negatively impact my application.

Clearly, the anti-LGBT stance of the Mormon church was one of the chief causes/influences of the adversity that I faced while young. I'm worried that if I write a diversity statement, it may come off as anti-religion, or otherwise offend the admissions council of these law schools.

What do you all think about this situation? Do you think I can write a diversity statement, or do you think it would be best to avoid the topic?