Making Spaces: Gay and Lesbian Student Activism at Emory University (1972-1988) Pubblico

Abstract

In this project, I explore how gay and lesbian activism changed at Emory University between 1972 and 1988. In 1972, gay activism officially came to the University when students formed the Gay Liberation Committee (GLC), the first gay and lesbian group on campus. A decade later in 1988, Emory passed its first policy that addressed gay and lesbian needs. Known as the Statement on Discriminatory Harassment, the policy included "sexual orientation" among its list of identities that warranted official university protection. These two events reflected the general trend that gay and lesbian activism followed throughout the 1970s and 1980s: activism moved from recognition-based advocacy to one that was more policy-oriented. With the creation of the GLC, students attempted to bring gay and lesbian issues to the forefront in a way that promoted the recognition of sexual minorities on campus. Toward the end of the eighties, activists wanted more than just recognition; they wanted the University to commit fully to gay and lesbian issues by providing them with appropriate protective policies and resources on campus. Both events were milestones that eventually propelled Emory into the 1990s, forming the basis for later major events such as the creation of the Office of LGBT Life in 1991 and the March protesting the Thomas Hall kiss in 1992.

Table of Contents

Introduction............................................................................1

Key Terms...............................................................................4

Chapter One: The 1970s: Gay Liberation and Sexual Minorities.......6

Part I: Seventies Activism and the Gay Liberation Committee...........6

Part II: Emory and Atlanta in the Early Seventies..........................13

Part III: The Committee on Gay Education...................................18

Chapter Two: The 1980s: Sexual Conservatisim, AIDS, and

the Fight for Policy Change.........................................................26

Part I: The Early Eighties and the Rise of Sexual Conservatism........26

Part II: AIDS and Sexual Health Education....................................31

Part III: The Policy Statement on Discriminatory Harassment..........38

Conclusion..............................................................................45

Bibliography...........................................................................48

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Interdisciplinary Studies in Society and Culture
Degree	BA
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	History, United States Gender Studies
Parola chiave	LGBT Gay and Lesbian Emory University
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Harris, Leslie, Emory University
Committee Members	Loudermilk, Kim, Emory University Moon, Michael, Emory University

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