Meeting Held: January 24, 2005, Room 122, Frazier Rogers Hall, 3-5 pm
The next meeting is scheduled for February 24 in Peabody Hall.
Committee Web site: http://www.aa.ufl.edu/committees/lgbtcc.htm
In Attendance: Linda Lamme,
chair
Greg Allen
Charles Brown
Tamara Cohen
Brian Davis
Joyce Dewsbury
Geoffrey Giles
Kristin Joos
Jonathan Keane
John Laibson
Jeanna Mastrodicasa
Diane Mazur
Guests: John Laibson, committee
member
John Ingram, Associate Director of Libraries and Head of Collections
John Laibson was invited to speak to the committee about his efforts to challenge the support given by the University of Florida Community Campaign (UFCC) to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The Committee is questioning this support because BSA specifically excludes gay boys as members and LGBT people as leaders. BSA also excludes anyone who will not accept the Boy Scout oath and its affirmation of God.
Laibson reported that the United Way has dropped the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), but the UF Community Campaign (UFCC) includes them along with other non-United Way causes. Laibson has returned notes instead of pledges on several occasions stating his objection to the UFCC's inclusion of BSA. He has never received a response. Lamme stated that she has also sent letters to the UFCC which specifically cite the UF non-discrimination policy.
Laibson explained that there are alternative scouting organizations, including Scouting for All and Campfire USA. There are few of these clubs in Florida; Campfire USA is represented by councils in Lakeland and in Pensacola.
The UFCC is an annual fund-raising effort at the University. The Campaign is run by the Business Services division of the University. The campaign is headed up by an appointee.
The Committee discussed the option of including the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida or Scouting for All in the UFCC instead of trying to block BSA. Giles presented a motion recommending that Lamme draft a letter to the President expressing its concern over this issue. The motion carried.
Ingram said that the Library has donors who wish to establish an LGBT film endowment. Currently, LGBT materials are distributed throughout the Library's collections. Ingram explained that the Library has selectors who are responsible for determining which books will be acquired. There is no LGBT selector, but there is a selector for Women's and Gender Studies.
Cohen spoke about how to make the collection of books in her office accessible. Joos stated that there are LGBT films in the library in Turlington Hall, but these films are available to faculty only. Lamme stated that at one time the Committee had received $3000 for the purchase of films. These films can be located through a search at the Office of Academic Technology Web site (<http://at.ufl.edu>).
The Committee discussed developing a purchasing plan and recommending purchases to the Library. We also discussed how to get an LGBT selector for the Library. Ingram said that a selector is charged with knowing what the Library has in a specific are and identifying purchases. Ideally, the selector would be funded by a specific line. The current Women's and Gender Studies selector is only half-time. In getting a selector, it would be helpful to know how many programs, professors and students are served by LGBT materials.
Allen said that he had tried to donate several collection of LGBT magazines. This led to a discussion of other collection that have been dedicated. One is the collection of Cal Yeoman, which is not yet catalogued. Another is the collection of Ernest Mickler, author of the White Trash Cookbook. This collection is catalogued.
Pride Student Union — Jonathan Keane
Keane spoke about the upcoming event featuring Ruthie and Connie, a lesbian couple which gives a presentation titled "Every Room in the House." The presentation features a film that describes the "normal" lives they once lived with husbands and children, how they came to an awareness of their sexuality, how they met, and how their life together developed.
Gator Gay-Straight Alliance — Jonathan Keane
Keane said that GGSA was in the process of planning a big project for the end of spring semester that would be about Safe Spaces.
LGBT Cabinet — Brian Davis
Davis said that the name of his office is now officially the LGBTQ Student Affairs Cabinet. The office is sponsoring a presentation of the film "Brother Outsider" on February 22. The film concerns the life of Bayard Rustin, a black gay man who played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement. David's office is also planning a fundraises for March.
Rainbow Alliance — Charles Brown
Brown spoke about the Faculty and Staff Reception planned for January 27.
Friends Program — Tamara Cohen
Cohen said that the next meeting of the planning committee was scheduled, and that a pilot training was being discussed. She spoke about adding transgender issues to the training and how to provide ongoing training for people who sign up for the program.
Cohen had a meeting at the Student Health Care Center. She discussed with them adding "sexual orientation and gender identity" to their patient's bill of rights. A training for staff at the Center is scheduled for March.
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Minutes prepared by Charles
Brown.