Harvard Gay & Lesbian Caucus

The Harvard Gay and Lesbian Caucus (HGLC) is an American non-profit organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Harvard University and Radcliffe College alumni/ae, faculty, staff and students.[1] In 2009 members and supporters of the HGLC funded an LGBT studies endowed professorship at Harvard, believed to be the first of its kind in the United States.[2][3][4]

Formed in 1984 to pressure Harvard University to include sexual orientation in its non-discrimination policy,[1] the HGLC's influence resulted in the President and Fellows of Harvard College's 1985 creation of a new University-wide anti-discrimination policy that included discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.[1] After lobbying from the HGLC, in 1993 Harvard began to offer benefits to the same-sex partners of its employees.[1]

The HGLC notes its current purposes to include advocating "a non-discriminatory and diverse academic, living and working environment at Harvard" and maintaining and expanding a network of LGBT alumni/ae.[1] The organization also awards an annual HGLC Public Service Fellowship, and honors Harvard affiliates for contributions to the LGBT community.[1]

In June 2009, Harvard announced that it will establish an endowed chair in LGBT studies called the F. O. Matthiessen Visiting Professorship of Gender and Sexuality, funded by a $1.5 million gift from the members and supporters of the Harvard Gay & Lesbian Caucus.[2][3][4][5] Believing the post to be "the first professorship of its kind in the country," Harvard President Drew Gilpin Faust called it “an important milestone.”[2][3][4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Harvard Gay & Lesbian Caucus". HGLC.org. Retrieved June 4, 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 Steinberg, Jacques (June 3, 2009). "Harvard to Endow Chair in Gay Studies". The New York Times. NYTimes.com. Retrieved June 4, 2009.
  3. 1 2 3 Jan, Tracy (June 3, 2009). "Harvard to endow professorship in gay studies". The Boston Globe. Boston.com. Retrieved June 3, 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 Associated Press (June 3, 2009). "Harvard to Endow Chair in Gay, Lesbian Studies". FOXNews.com. Retrieved June 4, 2009.
  5. ↑ "Harvard Gay & Lesbian Caucus: F. O. Matthiessen Visiting Professorship of Gender and Sexuality". HGLC.org. Retrieved June 4, 2009.


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