40 Years of History in the Heartland: UNL and Lincoln Nebraska
1967 Lou Crompton places an ad in the Lincoln Star (the local morning paper, which is now the once a day local newspaper, The Lincoln Journal Star) to advertise the Mattachine Society. Lou knew about the gay rights movement but nothing seemed to be happening in the Midwest so he included his phone number so he could start a local chapter of the Mattachine Society. Lou did receive a call from a graduate student and the police, who asked him to come down to the station to talk. Lou called the ACLU, who advised him to decline as there was no basis for the request. Lou was also a board member for the ACLU at the time.
1970 Louis “Lou” Crompton, noted scholar of 19th century British literature and pioneer in gay studies organizes an interdisciplinary course, Pro-Seminar in Homophile Studies, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), the second such course to be provided at a university in the United States (personal communication, 2009). The course was in line with the National Institute on Mental Health Task Force on Homosexuality recommendation that interdepartmental courses be provided at colleges. The course was coordinated by Lou Crompton, with Jim Cole (faculty in the Clinical Training Program in Psychology) being the spokesperson for the course, and Louis Martin, a psychiatrist at the University Health Center, was on call as a consultant.
Roxanne Dunbar taught the first course at UC-Berkeley but Lou was no aware of her course, which was taught in the spring and not interdisciplinary. Lou’s course was taught in the fall. Lou’s course was considered a medical subject at the time. Evelyn Hooker sends a hand-written letter to Lou Crompton in reply that commends him on his excellent outline for the “Pro-Seminar in Homophile Studies”, July 10, 1970.
From a brief history of relations about United Ministries in Higher Education, UMHE-Lincoln and the Lincoln Gay Action Group (a copy obtained from Lou Crompton Archives at UNL and dated 4/20/71): Late in the fall of 1970, UMHE (United Ministries in Higher Education) was approached by individuals identifying as gay who wanted a place to meet. After discussion and in light of their open house policy, it was agreed to allow the group to meet. They were eventually asked for space and also agreed.
June 23, 1971 Remarks to the Presbyterian Synod of Nebraska by Larry Doerr, about his ministry with and support of the Gay Action Group on campus. His remarks were followed by, “…the distribution of a packet of materials concerning our ministry with the Gay Action Group, including a brief history of our work with that work, including the editorial incident, a letter supporting our work from the University Counseling Service, the Statement on ministry to homosexuals made in June 1968 by the Presbytery of Nebraska City, the 1970 Statement on Homosexuality by the National Association for Mental Health, and a brief bibliography of books available on the issues of homosexuality. Questions and discussion followed…”
The brief history (above) also addresses the editorial incident, which involved the newsletter being published that included an explicitly pornographic editorial by the editor of the newsletter, and which resulted in his being asked to resign. While the editor believed his editorial was educational, his judgment about what was appropriate to issue in the name of the group and UMHE was questionable.
The history includes the recommendation adopted by the Nebraska City Presbytery in 1968 and was originally published in the 1967 issue of Social Action magazine. The recommendation included encouragement of education and open and honest discussion about homosexuality and acknowledges that fear of homosexuality is widespread and the church has a responsibility to help eliminate the ignorance upon which fear is based; be willing to examine its attitudes about sex in general, ceasing discrimination against homosexuals pe se and speaking out for repeal of laws which criminalize private consenting behavior between adults.
1970's: KZUM (89.3) Community Radio has the Wimmin's Show as part of its programming. The show continues to the present time.
Source: Deb Anderson, current and long time (and current) host for the Wimmin's Show.
1971 The University of Nebraska Gay Action Group starts in January, with student president, Joe Creason. Gay and lesbian students, led by Joe, met in October 1970 to form a group, but did not ask for formal recognition till January 1971. Lou Crompton served as the advisor for the Gay Action Group, which later became the UNL Gay/Lesbian Student Association (personal communication, 2009). Terry Carpenter introduces Legislative Bill 443 (first read 1/27/71), which would prohibit instruction on any aberrant sexual behavior at any public institution of higher education except as prescribed and to provide for enforcement (from copy of LB443 in Lou Crompton archives). UNGAG has a newsletter (date not seen on copy) with information about the rap line, the coffee house, National Gay Thanksgiving in Madison, WI (and a possible road trip), the capitol and campus scenes, and more. Comment on the last page, “The regents don’t seem to upset about UNGAG but watch them squirm when a gay candidate files for a regent post. (Don’t kid yourself, it just may happen.)”
Nebraska Legislative Senator Terry Carpenter (Scottsbluff) attempted to get
Lou Crompton’s course banned and attempted to obtain the names of the
students taking the course. Carpenter introduced a bill that is defeated.
Terry Carpenter later publishes the preface from the a book by Burger, Homosexuality: Sickness as a way of life (written by a psychiatrist who thought gays were masochists) as a letter to the editor. When this information becomes public, Carpenter is embarrassed and later leaves the senate. Ernie Chambers, an ally to the LGB community, was elected as a representative from Omaha and filled Carpenter’s seat in the Senate. The first time the Employment Non-Discrimination Act was introduced in the NE Legislature and he heard from the opponents is when Chambers became a supporter of equal rights for LGBT people (notes form a conversation with Lou, 1/7/09).
1972 At the Republican Convention that nominated Nixon was the one person who didn’t support Nixon for President and he nominated an imaginary “Joe”. Carpenter had scheduled hearings about the class in Omaha and Nixon arrived in Omaha on the day of the hearing, deflecting attention away from the course and the controversy around it. At the hearing, when Carpenter asked Louis Martin what his orientation was and he answered that it wasn’t relevant and others did not end up being asked.
Women’s Action Group at UNL brings Phyllis Lyons and Del Martin to speak at UNL. Jack Baker (pioneer for same sex marriage rights) from Minneapolis was also brought to campus because he and his boyfriend had applied for a marriage license and it was denied.
The newsletter of the Lincoln and University of Nebraska Gay Action Groups is “The Liberator”. The April 23, 1972 edition is on political information and candidates and encourages readers to make their presence known at the polls and states that Nebraska has over 100,000 gay citizens. The newsletter lists the Presidential candidates stands on gay rights. Some of the candidates and politicians listed as being favorable toward equal rights for the gay community include Democrats Shirely Chisholm, Edward Kennedy, John Lindsay, Eugene McCarthy, George McGovern, and Hubert Humphrey (weak but positive). Republican Paul McClosky Jr. was listed as a liberal who supported ending discrimination in federal employment, opposing collecting data on sexual preference by the government, and would begin an educational campaign to result in acceptance of gay officers.
May 1, 1972
Article from the University archives titled “City cops infiltrate campus rallies” (dated but source not available), indicates that “one person infiltrated the University’s Gay Action Group because he didn’t agree with its principles.”
1972 Democratic Caucus passes a gay rights resolution (from copy of the resolution as passed). A UNL student was one of the Democratic representatives.
1973 Lou Crompton organized and sponsored the first formal gay studies seminar to be listed in the program of a national meeting of the Modern Languages Association, called “Research in Gay Literature”.
1978 Nebraska de-criminalizes sodomy, one of the first states to do so (from “A short GLBT Lincoln History by Deanna Zaffke, published in the 2006 Pride Guide for Lincoln, NE).
Barb Gittings, gay rights activist from Philadelphia, is profiled in an article in the Lincoln Star, Saturday, 9/30/78, p. 6). Gittings was the speaker for the Nebraska Personnel and Guidance Association fall convention, and also spoke at First Plymouth Church, a talk sponsored by the “Lincoln homosexual community and the Nebraska Civil Liberties Union.” The Lincoln Gay News also covers Barb Gittings visit to Lincoln.
The Lincoln Gay News started publishing in May, 1978. The staff put out a survey, and are a volunteer staff. Monthly publishing costs are $90, with revenue being $85.15.
David Landis, advertises in the Lincoln Gay News as part of his campaign to be elected as Legislator for North Lincoln (Lincoln Gay News, October 1978, p.3). An ad to re-elect Kandra Hahn for Clerk of the District Court appears on page 7.
1979
According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), GLBT history month originated with the first marches by gays and lesbians in 1979 and the success of a second demonstration of half a million people for people living with AIDS on 10/11/87 in Washington, DC.
1980
The Crompton-Noll Award in Gay Studies was established by the Gay Caucus for the Modern Languages in Dec. 1980 (Gay Studies Newsletter, March 1981; p1).
1981
San Francisco’s Gay Men’s Chorus performs at First Plymouth Church in Lincoln.
A petition to add sexual orientation as a protected class for non-discrimination is put on the ballot but is defeated by an 80% to 20% vote. The Nebraska Coalition for GLBT Rights forms and organizes the first Pride celebration in Lincoln.
Source: Barb Baier:
The Women's Journal Advocate (WJA) started in (aprox.) 1981/82. The impetus was the proposed ordinance to make LGBT citizens a protected class under the municipal code. It was a hotly contested ballot issue that the WJA championed. The oridinance was defeated by (I think) by 75% of the vote. Unfortunately, a significant portion of Lincoln's professional, out-LGBT people were harmed by the vote. Many moved out of the city to KC, Minneapolis and Denver because they couldn't get work otherwise.
Emily Levine, Joy Alice Adams, Martha Stoddard and many others were among the founding mothers of WJA, which continued publishing on a monthly basis until June 1993. At that time, Lin (Quenzer) and myself were the primary editors and publishers. By 1993, it had a monthly circulation of 4,000. Many subscribers were from across the country. We had been included in a network of alternative college newspapers so a number of articles were being picked up by this national news service. It was really interesting and exciting because we had women news writers who had blazed trails in that profession contacting us. Some of which had worked and sued the New York Times for discrimination back in the early 1970s.
There have been two historians (graduate students who completed theses on the paper) that have compiled bibliographies of the articles, checked to make sure the NE Historical Society were maintaining the paper's archives, etc. I really don't know if the Society continues to do so.
Barb estimates that about 150 to 175 women over the 11 to 12 years of publishing were involved in the paper. It definitely reflected the political movements of that time.
Note: PFLAG is founded (see 2006 for information from an article published in the PFLAG-Cornhusker SPECTRUM).
1985 ASUN is asked by GLSA (Gay, Lesbian Student Association) to include sexual orientation in their non-discrimination policy. ASUN passed the policy but President Gerard Keating vetoed it and a veto override failed. Other senates took it up and passed a policy. As a result of that debate, several student organizations at UNL added sexual orientation to their constitutions (as a protected status). The Residence Hall Association (RHA) was one of the organizations doing so. In April of 1985, Margie Winn, COLAGE Chair, and Rodney Bell, UNL GALA Chair, asked ASUN to adopt a resolution asking the Board of Regents to adopt a resolution empowering ASUN President Bryan Hill to lobby the student senates at UNO and UNMC as well as the Faculty Senates at UNL, UNMC and UNO to add sexual orientation, marital status, and disability to sections 3.0 and 5.2 of the Regent by-laws.
The Faculty Senate adopted a resolution at UNL. AAUW- UNL Chapter also adopted a resolution in favor of non-discrimination.
1988
COLAGE (Committee Offering Lesbian and Gay Events) was denied funding by ASUN (COLAGE was a committee for UPC).
1989
UNL GALA (Gay and Lesbian Alumni/ae) incorporates as a non-profit organization.
Homophobia Awareness Committee meets as an informal group.
Lou Crompton retires from the English Department after 34 years. Professor Crompton also founded the Gay Caucus for Modern Languages.
ASUN election survey indicates that 69% of students favor condom machines in the residence halls. ASUN proposed distributing condoms from the ASUN office but the bill fails.
The Board of Regents passes a resolution that reads in part (as reported in the 1989 GALA Nebraskan):
“Be it resolved by the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska that: 1. Students on each campus of the University of Nebraska shall be admitted and enjoy the programs and privileges of the University without regard to individual characteristics other than qualifications for admission, academic performance and conduct in accord with University policies and rules and laws applicable to student conduct. 2. Employees on each campus of the University of Nebraska shall be employed and equitably treated in regard to the terms and conditions of their employment without regard to individual characteristics other than qualification for employment, quality of performance of duties and conduct in regard to their employment in accord with University policies and rules and applicable law. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall become a policy of the Board of Regents and shall be incorporated into the University Policy Manual.”
1991
Vern Williams meets with Dr. Griesen to discuss issues faced by Gay and Lesbian students at UNL and about the informal group of faculty, staff, and students who were meeting on a semi-regular basis to address these issues and to look into the extent of discrimination which gay and lesbian students experience at UNL. Dr. Griesen officially appoints The Homophobia Awareness Committee with the primary purpose to promote a positive, inclusive environment for gay men and lesbians in the university community.
1992
The Committee on GLBT Concerns sends a request to Chancellor Spanier for a Coordinator of Gay and Lesbian Concerns. Sexuality Education Coordinator position is created at the University Health Center in the Department of Community Health Education and working with gay and lesbian students is incorporated into the job responsibilities. Pat Tetreault is hired as the first and only person to fill this position.
Student group, Gay Lesbian Student Association (GLSA), continues to publish a newsletter, the Gayly Nebraskan. The Nebraska Union approves $1,200 for new furniture for the GLSA office.
1993
Can you tell which one is straight? Poster (joint project of GLSA and Affirmative Action & Diversity Programs Office)
1994
National Coming Out Day article in the Lincoln Journal Star.
1994
GLSA held a 20th anniversary banquet on April 9th at the Arbor Room in the East Campus Union. Lou Crompton, Eric Jolly, David Bolkovac and Gwen Fischer were given awards for their work on behalf of lesbians and gays on campus.
Tony D’Augelli is brought to campus with the assistance of the Chancellor and starts the CGLBTC annual Symposium Series, which brings a nationally known speaker to UNL to talk about GLBT Issues.
1995
ALLY Cards brought to UNL -- National Coming Out Day ~> ALLY cards (provided by the Sexuality Education Coordinator, Pat Tetreault, as a new addition to the Gay, Lesbian, Student Association’s (GLSA) educational materials. GLSA becomes GLBTSA. The twenty-first anniversary of the GLSA was celebrated with the Second Annual Awards Ceremony honoring Eileen Durgin-Clinchard with the Lou Crompton Lifetime Achievement Award and Kunle Ojikutu (the UHC Director) with the Pink Triangle Award.
1996
NU-wide benefits committee votes to deny domestic partner benefits to NU employees, tabling the topic until unspecified “financial, legal, and other issues have been resolved”. For a history of our ongoing struggle to obtain equitable benefits, visit www.unl.edu/cglbtc/.
1997
Someone You Know student group organizes NCOD activities including chalking; anti-chalking occurs;
First Graduate Assistant for GLBT Students located in Student Involvement, after the Chancellor approves and funds the position at the request of (and with the documented need for the position) by the Committee on GLBT Concerns.
UPC sponsors “Love makes a family” exhibit.
Allies against homophobia and heterosexism is a new student group on campus.
Mayor Johanns is asked to sign a proclamation for Lincoln Pride, which he declines although the Mayor’s office did not deny other requests for proclamations.
1998
Matthew Shepard murdered in Wyoming
Hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression is included as part of the then annual Take Back the Night march.
Mayor Johanns is asked to sign a proclamation for Lincoln Pride, which he again declines.
1999
In April ASUN introduces a bill to designate the group as an ally organization; bill passes. In their first action in 5 years, the ASUN student court ruled that the contested government bill did comply with student government by-laws.
Gina Matkin and Pat Tetreault provide a “How to be an ALLY” Workshop in the Nebraska Union.
Mayor Don Wesely signs and issues the first Lincoln Pride Proclamation.
Initiative 416 (Nebraska’s DOMA) starts with a petition drive to obtain enough votes to put the initiative, which would alter the state’s constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman and not allow for the recognition of same sex relationships in the state of Nebraska.
2000
Abel passes safe space bill. Controversy results so the ALLY card is only posted on the Abel Residence Hall Association door rather than on all entrances to Abel.
Residence Hall Association (RHA) passes bill declaring it a safe space.
University Health Center Insurance includes domestic partner coverage for students.
The first Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to the GLBT Community is awarded by Chancellor Moeser.
Sunday, July 2, 2000: Lincoln Journal Star article (page C1) on the petition drive to put the Nebraska “Defense of Marriage Act” (sic) on the ballot. Guyla Mills is the petition drive coordinator interviewed for the article. By July 7, petitions with 104,000 valid signatures of registered voters from a minimum of 38 counties (there are 49 in NE) must be turned in to get the constitutional change on the ballot. According to the article, “much of the work on the petition drive is being done by church members and many of the signatures are being collected in church and among church groups. People from the Muslim faith and churches from at least 20 denominations are presented, said Mills. Denominations represented include Assemblies of God, Evangelical Free, Southern Baptist, American Baptist, United Methodist, Mennonites, Mormons, Berean Fundamentalists, Christian Missionary Alliance, Church of Christ, Church of God in Christ, Covenant, Nazarene, Missouri Synod Lutherans and Catholics.”
HIV Test Site is proposed by Brian Franz, Peer Sexuality Educator, with the support of the Sexuality Education Program at the University Health Center and a grant from NE Dept. of Health & Human Services. Brian provides free HIV testing at the site, which is located at Cornerstone Church, 16th & A Street and is open every other Saturday.
2000: PFLAG worked with others to help educate about 416, the proposed amendment to modify the NE constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman and to prohibit the recognition of same sex relationships, civil unions or domestic partnerships in NE. The amendment passed (with approval of 70% of the votes), becoming constitutional bill 29.
July 2000, Volume 1, Issue #4 of Stepping Out: A totally outrageous GLBT Newsletter for Lincoln, NE is published).
October 26, 2000 Ryan Grigsby is an openly gay fraternity member at UNL and comes out. "Coming Out on Fraternity Row" is published in Rolling Stone!
2001
ASUN approved a bill in April to acknowledge and comply with the university non-discrimination policy; a proposal to display an ALLY card was killed in April in the Human Rights committee. ASUN did declare itself an ALLY-friendly zone although only President Nathan Furst displayed a card in his office window. ASUN declared itself a safe space for Muslim students after the 9/11 attacks.
NU-wide report on domestic partner benefits provided to the Board of Regents.
Benefits denied.
Tuesday, Feb. 12th: Lincolnites Kristy Knorr and Michelle Oja and Kris Gandara and Traci Kujath participate in a staged wedding ceremony on the west steps of the Capitol as part of National Freedom to Marry Day (Lincoln Journal Star, B1).
2002 Campus Climate and Needs Assessment Study conducted by Professor Robert "Bob" Brown and 3 graduate students: Brandy Clark, Valerie Gortmacher, Rachael Robinson-Keilig. The study is completed and made available on the CGLBTC web site: http://www.unl.edu/cglbtc/climate.shtml
April 10, 2002: Human Rights Chain around the Capitol for Equal Rights for GLBT people. The human chain was a political action sponsored by the Nebraska Coalition for LGBT Civil Rights with other groups who also support equal rights for all. The purpose of the action was to let legislators and citizens of Nebraska know that many of the citizens of NE do not approve of the passage of 416 (which once passed became Constitutional Amendment (CA) 29), which altered the constitution of the state to forbid recognition or consider valid any same-sex partnerships, civil unions or domestic partnerships. Two other amendments were considered at this time: one to alter the state constitution to be gender neutral (did not pass) and one to pass term limits (did pass).
2003 GLBT bulletin board vandalized for three times and replaced. New bulletin board on main floor provided (previously located on the 3rd floor)
Part-time Assistant Director for GLBTA Programs & Services Student
Involvement (SI) obtained via the work of the Committee on GLBT Concerns; D Moritz is hired and starts work January of 2003.
1st GLBT History Month dinner held at the Culture Center.
UAAD educational panel on Domestic Partner Benefits held (the video is available for use from UAAD. http://uaad.unl.edu/)
Student Award for contributions to the GLBT community created and incorporated into the Student Impact Awards and the Chancellor’s Award recognition events.
The Nebraska Historical Society (Vol. 84, No. 3) includes, "Homo-hunting" in the Early Cold War: Senator Kenneth Wherry and the Homophobic Side of McCartyism by Randolph W. Baxter. A related event is when Senator Wherry is nominated to be included in the Nebraska Hall of Fame and a controversy ensues.
2004 GLBT Teach-in; ASUN adds more groups to non-discrimination by-law (agreeing to add gender identity/expression);
2005 10 Year Anniversary of ALLY Cards at UNL
Third annual GLBT History Month Opening Ceremony and Dinner, held at the UNL Nebraska Union.
Barb Baier is the first out lesbian elected to the School Board in Lincoln, NE. She ran for the first time in 2005, winning the May election by 14 percentage points in spite of overwhelming negative media coverage regarding her sexual orientation.
2006
The 54th Nebraska Annual Symposium on Contemporary Perspectives on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Identities, Volume Editor and Conference Organizer: Debra A. Hope, Ph.D.
UNL began offering a minor in LGBTQ/Sexuality Studies minor at the start of
the fall semester – the program is one of the first of its kind in the Midwest.
In May 2006, the Assistant Director in SI for GLBTA Programs & Services steps down and Pat Tetreault, Sexuality Education Coordinator agrees to a split-position for the 2006-2007 academic year.
July 21, 2006: A second hands around the Capitol for LGBTQ Rights takes place. For the second time, LGBTQA members from UNL and the Lincoln community to circle the capitol for LGBTQ rights.
Source: PFLAG SPECTRUM, 8/2006:
PFLAG Cornhusker was founded in 1981 by Helen Bratt, a foresighted Lincoln Methodist who had neither a lesbian nor gay child, but still felt gay and lesbian people and their families deserved respect and
support. First meeting in Bratt's home, the Unitarian Church became the meeting place and PFLAG continues to meet at the Unitarian Church (2010). The first President of PFLAG-Cornhusker was Eilenn Durgin-Clinchard, and PFLAG immediately began building a library, a speakers' bureau and to acquire pamphlets from national PFLAG, which was formed in 1981. Transgender individuals were added to the mission in 1996. The newsletter was started with a small grant from the Chicago Resource Center. PFLAG sponsored the first AIDS support group in Lincoln and also created a quilt panel that lists the names of many of Nebraska's citizens who were diagnosed with AIDS.
In 1989, PFLAG held a Rap on Homophobia conference at UNL with Terry Tafoya. In 1990, a Coming Out Workshop was held at UNL.
All bills in the legislature dealing with GLBT issues have had PFLAG members testify at their hearings and visit legislators.
2007 The GLBT Programs & Services position in Student Involvement is increased to a full-time position and the name is changed to LGBTQA Programs & Services. The LGBTQ Resource Center opens in the fall on a part-time basis with Pat Tetreault as the Ad in SI for LGBTQA P & S and Director of the LGBTQ Resource Center.
The 5th annual dinner celebration is scheduled for Oct. 8 with Tim Miller as the keynote speaker, made possible by a collaborative partnership with the Lied Center for Performing Arts, with the dinner being held at the Lied.
Aaron Raz Link and Hilda Raz’s book, What Becomes You, is published by the University of Nebraska Press.
ASUN, the association of students at the University of NE, passed three pieces of legislation stating that the Campus Life Committee would work with University Housing to develop housing policies for LGBTQI students. There are no official policies for LGBTQI issues that impact students at UNL (Daily Nebraskan, 10/25/07, p. 3).
The Sexuality Education Program is ranked 8th in the nation by Trojan Brand Condoms in its second sexual health report card. An editorial cartoon appears in the Daily Nebraskan on 9/25/07:
==
Let's make a comparison: ==
UNL Football
-25th in the nation (AP)
-Tickets are expensive
-Fans can be really annoying
-Games can ruin your whole day
UNL Sexual Health - 8th in the nation (Trojan) - Condoms are free - Fans can be lots of fun. - "Games" can make your day so much better
Hmmmm.....................
The 5th annual dinner celebration, Oct. 8, 2007 with Tim Miller as the keynote speaker, made possible by a collaborative partnership with the Lied Center for Performing Arts.
2008 Sixth annual history month dinner at the Lied Center with Dorothy Allison, author as keynote speaker.
October 21, 2008:
Lou Crompton and Luis Diaz-Perdomo (partners of about 40 years) marry in California (Both are former faculty and LGBT activists at UNL, who moved to California after both had retired.)
Fall 2008, Sexuality Education Coordinator position is eliminated. HIV Test Site closes at the end of the year.
2009 The Nebraska Catholic Conference attempts to introduce a regulatory change to the Psychology Licensing Board that would allow psychologists to discriminate against clients by being able to refuse services as well as refuse to refer to services. The exemption would be based on a “conscience clause” or based on their religious or moral convictions (article by James K. Cole, Ph.D., appearing in the NE Psychological Association newsletter). This proposal, if passed, would allow psychologists to deny needed services to clients based on a client’s religion and sexual identity, as well as a number of other classes of individuals determined to be living in sin. This change is supported by the Dept. of Health and Human Services, state attorneys, the Board of Health and the Governor’s office, despite that it fundamentally alters the core reason for the code of ethics to do no harm (testimony provided to me, which was read to the board by Terry Werner due to Dr. Cole experiencing health issues; and the NPA article, which was reprinted in the PFLAG-Cornhusker SPECTRUM, with permission by the author, October, 2009). Dr. James Cole, who worked with Lou Crompton and served as the public spokespeson for the course, advocates for the LGBTQ community by working to prevent the guidelines for psychologists from being changed to allow psychologists to NOT refer patients that they don't want to help because of religious or other values that result in their not liking or approving of the person seeking help. "Be the Change" reflects the message and mission of the LGBTQA Resource Center. A 'be the change' day is being planned for September, 2010.
April, 2009: First Lavender Graduation and Advocate Appreciation is held at UNL. Three students are recognized, Ashley Gruba, Sarah Thomas and Sindu Sathiyaseelan. Five advocates are also recognized (nominated by the students): Frankie Condon, Jan Deeds, Starla Stensaas, Iker Gonzalez-Allende, and Pat Tetreault.
Louis Crompton Scholarship established at the University Foundation in honor of longtime advocate and activist, Lou Crompton (April 5, 1925 – July 11, 2009). Memorial service held in Lincoln on Sept. 19, 2009. Ryan Fette, Fred Schneider and Pat Tetreault work with University Foundation to establish and fund the scholarship, which will be coordinated by LGBTQA Programs & Services.
File:Crompton-Photos-Jan-2009-008.jpg, Lou Crompton 2009
7th Annual LGBTQA History Month Dinner, Nathaniel Frank, author of Unfriendly Fire and public policy expert, keynote speaker at the Cornhusker Marriott.
UMHE at Cornerstone leaves the building at 16 & A Street and operates out of a satellite office at First Presbyterian and St. Mark’s on the Campus.
Trojan Ranking of Sexuality Education at UNL drops to 97.
2010 First Louis Crompton Scholarship is awarded to Jason Lucht.
A new class, Applying Social Justice to LGBTQA Programs & Services is taught by Pat Tetreault as part of the LGBTQ/Sexuality Studies Minor.
A new faculty position is approved and a hire made for a joint faculty position in Sociology and LGBTQ Studies.
March 29, Human Rights Campaign and Services Members United have a flag display at UNL, with over 800 flags planted in the Greenspace north of the Student Union and a panel of gay and straight veterans in the Nebraska Union Auditorium. Turn out and support is excellent. Articles appear in the Daily Nebraskan (UNL's newspaper) and the Lincoln Journal Star. http://www.dailynebraskan.com/
March 25, 2010:
Sally Vanderslice passes away after a brief but valiant struggle with cancer and is survived by her partner Becky (and other family members). Sally was a host for the wimmin's show for 15 years.
Bill Bowers will be performing, iT GOES WiTHOUTH SAYiNG at the Howell Theatre in the UNL Temple Building at 8 pm on April 1, 2010 and two plays, written by David Csontos will be shown on Monday nights in April at the NU Auditorium, My Night with Rock Hudson Bold text(expanded version, original version first shown in October 2009 at UNL); and I Am My Imaginary Friend. Italic text The plays have been accepted into the Kansas City Fringe Festival!
Second annual Lavender Graduation and Advocate Appreciation is held on April 23, 2010 recognizing five graduating students and six advocates.
Star City Pride 2010 is held in Lincoln, July 16 - 18 http://www.gaylincoln.com/
Nebraska Pride 2010 is the 25th anniversary and will be held in Omaha, July 1 - 4.
http://www.nebraskapride.com/
Eigth annual LGBTQA History Month Dinner planned for October 21, 2010 at the Embassy Suites with Jewelle Gomez, author of The Gilda Stories, as keynote.
UNL Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding
Contributions to the GLBT Community
2000 Vern Williams
2001 Luis Diaz-Perdomo
2002 Barbara DiBernard and Pat Tetreault
2003 Lou Crompton and George Wolf
2004 Robert “Bob” Brown, Linda Major and James Griesen, English Dept.
2005 Joy Ritchie
2006 Debra Hope
2007 Jan Deeds and Father Don Hanway
2008 Debbie Krahmer
2009 William “Bill” Waters
2010 James (Jim) Cole
Student GLBT Award Recipients:
2009 Heath Harding
2008 Greg Gifford
2008 Amanda Garrett
2007 Allen Ratliff
2006 QSA/SPECTRUM Transition Team
2005 Kris Gandara
2004 Dan Franks
2003 Ryan Fette
Listing with Affiliations and Student Awards
2010 Dr. James (Jim) Cole Faculty, Psychology Department
2009 Bill Waters OASIS/the Culture Center
2008 Debbie Krahmer University Libraries
2007 Janice Deeds Student Involvement and
2007 Father Don Hanway, Retired Pastor, St. Mark’s on the Campus & CGLBTC
2007 Student Award Allen Ratliff
2006 Debra Anne Hope Psychology
2006 Student award Spectrum/QSA Transition Team UNL
2005 Joy S Ritchie English
2005 Student award Kris Gandara
2004 English Department College of Arts & Sciences
2004 Robert D Brown Emeritus Educational Psychology
2004 James V Griesen Student Affairs and
2004 Linda Major Student Involvement
2004 Student Award Dan Franks
2003 Louis Crompton Emeritus English and
2003 George E Wolf Emeritus English
2003 Student Award Ryan Fette
2002 Barbara DiBernard English and
2002 Pat Tetreault University Health Center
2001 Luis Diaz-Perdomo University Health Center
2000 Vern Williams Career Services
Some Acronyms:
LGBTQA = Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and ALLY
GLSA = Gay, Lesbian Student Alliance
UAAD = University Association for Administrative Development
CGLBTC = Committee on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Concerns
ASUN = Association of Students of the University of NE
UPC = University Program Council
RHA = Residence Hall Association
Information was compiled by Pat Tetreault from minutes, files, personal communication, and articles. Some of the online initial research of the Daily Nebraskan archives was conducted by Jacy Farris. The information included is not an exhaustive history and is accurate to the best of my knowledge. <comments />
