Harvard Gender and Sexuality Caucus explained

Harvard Gender and Sexuality Caucus
Abbreviation:HGSC
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Type:Nonprofit
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Location City:Cambridge, Massachusetts
Location Country:United States
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Affiliations:Harvard University
Radcliffe College
Formerly:Harvard Gay and Lesbian Caucus (1984-2013)

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]

History

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 would 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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Harvard Gender and Sexuality Caucus . HGSC.org . September 5, 2018 . September 7, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180907032411/http://hgsc.sigs.harvard.edu/index.html . live .
  2. Web site: About our name change from HGLC to HGSC . June 6, 2018 . June 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143111/http://hgsc.sigs.harvard.edu/article.html?aid=128 . live .
  3. Web site: Harvard to Endow Chair in Gay Studies . Steinberg . Jacques . June 3, 2009 . . June 4, 2009 . June 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180613004734/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/education/04harvard.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=harvard . live .
  4. Web site: Harvard to endow professorship in gay studies . Jan . Tracy . June 3, 2009 . . Boston.com . June 3, 2009 . October 23, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121023131137/http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/06/harvard_to_endo.html . live .
  5. Web site: Harvard to Endow Chair in Gay, Lesbian Studies. Associated Press. June 3, 2009. FOXNews.com. June 4, 2009. June 7, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090607023039/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,525024,00.html. live.
  6. Web site: Harvard Gay & Lesbian Caucus: F. O. Matthiessen Visiting Professorship of Gender and Sexuality . HGLC.org . June 4, 2009 . June 12, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090612060337/http://hglc.org/matthiessen.html . dead .