The Harvard Gender and Sexuality Caucus (HGSC) 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] Before 2013 the name of the organization was the Harvard Gay and Lesbian Caucus (HGLC).[2]
In 2009 members and supporters of the HGSC funded an LGBT studies endowed professorship at Harvard, believed to be the first of its kind in the United States.[3][4][5]
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 donation from the members and supporters of the Harvard Gay & Lesbian Caucus.[3][4][5][6] Believing the post to be "the first professorship of its kind in the country," Harvard President Drew Gilpin Faust called it “an important milestone.”[3][4][5]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Harvard Gender and Sexuality Caucus". HGSC.org. Archived from the original on September 7, 2018. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
- ↑ "About our name change from HGLC to HGSC". Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- 1 2 3 Steinberg, Jacques (June 3, 2009). "Harvard to Endow Chair in Gay Studies". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2009.
- 1 2 3 Jan, Tracy (June 3, 2009). "Harvard to endow professorship in gay studies". The Boston Globe. Boston.com. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved June 3, 2009.
- 1 2 3 Associated Press (June 3, 2009). "Harvard to Endow Chair in Gay, Lesbian Studies". FOXNews.com. Archived from the original on June 7, 2009. Retrieved June 4, 2009.
- ↑ "Harvard Gay & Lesbian Caucus: F. O. Matthiessen Visiting Professorship of Gender and Sexuality". HGLC.org. Archived from the original on June 12, 2009. Retrieved June 4, 2009.
External links