UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 20, Page D1
February 20, 1992
Diversity
Caucus focuses on lesbian, gay, bisexual rights

     Perhaps it is the last frontier of civil rights. Lesbians, gay
men and bisexuals suffer daily discrimination, harassment and
violence. Targets of a largely homophobic society, they have
difficulty finding people who will align with them in their
struggle. Possible allies are subtly encouraged not to help, for
they, too, are suspect-guilty by association.
     At the University, this minority has an ally in Kathryn
Goldman, assistant director of housing and residence life. Goldman
chairs the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Concerns Caucus, which was
established in May 1991 by the Commission to Promote Racial and
Cultural Diversity at the request of the Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual
Student Union (LGBSU).
     The caucus is charged with determining the concerns of
lesbian, gay and bisexual students, staff and faculty, putting
those concerns into the context of this campus and making
recommendations to the University administration.
     "Lesbian, gay and bisexual students and employees need a
supportive climate where they can feel safe and comfortable being
themselves," Goldman says. "Harassment and discrimination against
this group is too often ignored. But fear, isolation and
discrimination based on sexual orientation have no place on a
university campus, and should be everyone's concern."
     Harassment against students takes many forms, from
name-calling to threatening phone calls at all hours of the night.
In residence halls, sexual-identity posters and meeting
announcements are ripped down or defaced, and derogatory graffiti
appears in bathrooms.
     According to Goldman, "gay, lesbian and bisexual couples who
are University employees suffer another form of discrimination.
They are denied benefits married employees receive."
     A third-year University student describes being gay on this
campus as being "invisible." Chris Eagen, co-president of LGBSU and
caucus member, agrees that invisibility is a major obstacle.
     "Because we cross all class, gender, color and cultural lines,
we don't have the immediately identifiable cohesiveness of a single
sex or color to pull us together. And people just refuse to admit
there's a problem."
     Eagen suggests that there is a crucial need for formal
recognition by the University that gay, lesbian and bisexual
students have special needs. "Lesbian, gay and bisexual students
need a place they can go for help, where they feel safe," Eagen
says, "a place where group support and social activities are
available-just like any other minority."
     To promote greater sensitivity for these and other concerns,
the caucus sponsored a national teleconference, "Understanding and
Meeting the Needs of Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Students," on Feb.
6, followed by a local panel. Among the issues discussed were the
impact of homophobia on individuals and the campus community, the
structuring of a supportive environment for gay, lesbian and
bisexual students, and the role of the campus community and
administration as well as their responsibility to address
homophobic incidents of harassment and violence.
     "People's choices must be respected," Judith Y. Gibson, panel
member and co-chair of the Commission to Promote Racial and
Cultural Diversity, said of the teleconference. "The University's
willingness to recognize the needs of lesbians, gays and bisexuals
is evident in the establishing of the caucus and in making
educational programs like this possible."
     The following groups provided partial funding for the
teleconference: the University Faculty Senate Committee on Cultural
Activities and Public Events, the Commission to Promote Racial and
Cultural Diversity, the Department of Housing and Residence Life,
the Office of the Dean of Students, the Perkins Student Center, the
pastors of the Newark United Methodist Church and the LGBSU.