University Queer Life
Establishing the GLBT Student Support Services Center
The Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Student Support Services Center at Indiana University was first established in November 1994, after many years of planning and work by several queer IU staff members. Today, the GBLT Center (as it is usually referred to by students; "Transgender" was added to the name in 1998) provides a gathering space for queer and queer-friendly groups, a campus hub for queer activism, and a library with resources on many issues of importance to queer people and allies.
[Since this exhibit was originally published, the GLBTSSSC has been renamed the LGBTQ+ Culture Center. Its website can be found here.]
Early History and Controversy
In addition to IU staff members and students, the IU administration was also instrumental in formulating early plans for the Center. In particular, Chancellor Kenneth Gros Louis, IU President Myles Brand, and Dean of Students Dick McKaig all acted to ensure the establishment of the center.
Several state legislators strongly opposed to the creation of the GLB Center attempted to block its formation on several grounds. In particular, Woody Burton, representative for most of nearby Johnson County in the Indiana House, objected on the basis that homosexuals did not constitute a legitimate minority and university funding for the office was inappropriate. To enforce this view, he and other like-minded senators threatened a $500,000 cut to IU's operating budget if university money was used to pay for the Center's establishment.
Myles Brand, in a decision that proved unpopular with both those objecting to the Center and those supporting it, opted to use private funding to support the GLB Center. This prompted protests from queer groups, including Bloomington Lesbian Avengers and the campus group Queers United for Equal Social Treatment, or QUEST, which viewed the decision as giving in to conservative political and financial pressures. This solution, however, has proven effective, and even today most of the Center's funding comes from the IU Foundation and the IU GLBT Alumni Association.
Post-Foundation History
The GLBT Center, which now occupies an entire house on 7th Street, next to the La Casa (the IU Latino Cultural Center) and Student Legal Services, started as a much smaller operation. Since its inception, the Center has gained a library, in addition to interns in Social Work and counseling positions. Accordingly, the Center offers counseling services to students and community members, especially for those dealing with issues related to being queer. The GLBT Center also has a volunteer staff and a volunteer coordinator who aid in the day-to-day work of running the office, as well as offering help to other groups organizing events like Transgender Day of Remembrance or National Coming Out Day.
GLBT Alumni Association
In 1996, Jeff Kinney received a grant from the IU Student Association to work with the GLB Center on a project of his choosing. After discussions with office employee Doug Bauder, Kinney decided to form a GLBT alumni group. In 1997, Kinney, Bauder, and IU alumna Cindy Stone presented the proposal to the IU Alumni Association and, by vote, received official recognition as an IUAA affiliate. Today the Alumni Association provides significant funding for the GLBT Center and the programs and events it hosts. The IU GLBTAA has over 1,000 members and maintains a website here.
Sources
Bajko, Matthew. “Conservatives oppose GLB center using University funds.” Indiana Daily Student, Apr. 29, 1994.
Bauder, Doug. Interview by Katherine J. Roberson. Nov 17, 2008.
Goldman, Alyssa. “A story never told.” Indiana Daily Student, Oct. 1, 2009, p. 1.
Marijke Rowland. “Zero Tolerance plans to question Brand during his address tonight.” Indiana Daily Student, Oct. 19, 1994.
Pearlman, Russel. “Brand defends GLB office decision.” Indiana Daily Student, Oct. 20, 1994.
Thomas, Wendy. “Gay-support office approved for IU Bloomington Campus.” The Indianapolis Star, June 4, 1994.
Welsh-Higgins, Andrew. “Students protest IU funding switch.” The Herald Times, Oct. 18, 1994.
Wimmer, Amy. “Legislator stays firm in opposing GLB.” Indiana Daily Student, Oct. 17, 1994.