Tagliabue Initiative for LGBTQ Life
privilege of being the first Center of its kind at a Jesuit institution, and since its formation in 2008, it has continued to grow and to flourish. The Center has sought to build on the rich interfaith and intellectual engagement
Mia Mingus, Disability Activist, Writer
The LGBTQ Resource Center has had the honor and
of Georgetown to create a space that will speak to all of us in all of our diversities. LGBTQ life has had a long and complex history on this campus, and it has taken students, faculty, and staff to keep the conversation moving over decades. We honor many in the LGBTQ and ally communities who have been part of this journey. We have actively engaged our alumni by hosting events during Homecoming, John Carroll Weekend, Reunion, and throughout the year.
Fr. Kevin O’Brien IgnatianQ 2015
our present by discerning our past, and by reaching out to
In the Fall of 2011, we were honored to receive a one million dollar endowment from Paul J Tagliabue (C’62) Initiative
for
LGBTQ
Life:
Fostering
Formation
&
Transformation, under the auspices of the LGBTQ Center. We
provide here a glimpse of the range of programs
–intellectual, academic, spiritual, and social –that we offer. We also host an overnight retreat in the tradition of Ignatian retreats, Journeys: Understanding Self & Building Community;
a month long LGBTQ history month
Dr. Bettina Love, Prof. of Educational Theory, UGA
and his wife, Chandler, that established the Tagliabue
celebration, OUTober; and a culminating signature close,
We work with both undergraduate and graduate students here on the Main Campus, as well as our Law Center, Medical School, and the School of Continuing Studies. We are inspired by our Jesuit ideals and values of wholeness and flourishing, and we continue to work with all to create an environment that fosters reflection, dialogue, and participatory communities. We invite you to take a look, and be in touch with us.
Donna Rose, Transgender Activist
Lavender Graduation.
LGBTQ Symposium
The LGBTQ Resource Center is committed to providing holistic development opportunities for students here at Georgetown University. As part of that commitment we host a number of initiatives that are geared towards supporting the intellectual and social development of our students. The Center supports opportunities for research and leadership development at regional and national conferences. Center staff work closely with students to help them develop their research and present at conferences like Creating Change, National Jesuit Student Leadership Conference (NJSLC), and Intricate Identities: DC LGBTQ+ Student Conference. We support to travel to and participation in this conferences as part of our commitment to fostering skills sets necessary for students to become more effective facilitators and leaders of their community. Attending conferences provides students the opportunity to expand their horizons by engaging in reflective discourse about intersectional issues. Upon returning to campus, students use the knowledge acquired and new breadth of understanding they have developed to enhance existing programs and projects.
LGBTQ Life on Campus Peer-led discussion groups offer a brave space for students to share experiences and explore their own understandings of gender and sexuality. The Center provides training and support to four pairs of facilitators that lead weekly discussion groups for a range of identities and experiences. These informal groups include:
Community Barbecue 2014
EmbrACE, a space for students who identify as asexual or ace-spectrum; Queer Women's Collective (QWC), for LGBTQ+ female-identified or non-binary students; Umbrella, for trans* and questioning Hoyas, as well as those directly affected by trans* issues, such as close friends, family, and significant others; and Getting Bi, for pansexual, bisexual, and all other "polysexual" identities. Discussion topics include the intersection of race and gender, current events, what it means to identify as female, and other relevant topics.
"The Center is inspired by Catholic and Jesuit principles of respect for the dignity of all and education of the whole person, and we are very pleased to support its services that provide a safe, inclusive and respectful environment
for
LGBTQ
students and promote their acceptance
in
the
entire
campus community." Paul & Chan Tagliabue
Keynote Speakers Elizabeth Donnelly and Dan Cardinali
The Tagliabue Endowment for LGBTQ Life was established in the Fall of 2012. The endowment set up by Chan & Paul Tagliabue (C’62; former NFL Commissioner, and former Chairman, GU Board of Directors) is to ensure sustained support and growth for the initiatives of the LGBTQ Center. The Initiative has helped envision, grow, and fund our keynote speakers for OUTober; the annual overnight retreat, Journeys; the IgnatianQ conference; and Lavender Graduation. It has also funded alumni outreach and engagement by providing funds for Homecoming, Reunion, and John Carroll events.
Ignatian Q Student Organizers and Center staff with Paul & Chan Tagliabue
Breakout Session with Min. Wendy Hamilton
Tagliabue Initiative for LGBTQ Life
Journeys 2014
Journeys: Understanding Self & Building Community is an overnight experience that provides a structured, contemplative space for undergraduate students, who identify as LGBTQ or allies, to share stories and to reflect on individual and community formation.Through reflection, both individual and shared, on their lived experiences, students can develop an authentic appreciation and respect for all that we are and all that we are not. Small group and large group discussions help lay foundations to build solidarity both within and between our varied communities.
Journeys 2015
Journeys 2015
Journeys 2014
In March of 2015, Georgetown hosted the 2nd Annual IgnatianQ: Ignatian LGBTQ & Ally Conference. IgnatianQ is a student-led conference that focuses on the intersections of faith, sexuality, and social justice in a Jesuit campus context. IgnatianQ 2015 hosted 150 guests from 13 universities and included opening remarks from Fr. Kevin O’Brien and keynote addresses from Elizabeth Donnelly, Dan Cardinali and Shiva Subbaraman. The conference also included panels, small group discussions and seven breakout sessions with a variety of topics.
Athletics & Sports
We have hosted multiple guest speakers to discuss LGBTQ issues in athletics, including Paul Tagliabue, Ben Cohen and Dr. Sue Rankin.
Paul Tagliabue, Homophobia in Sports
Ben Cohen, Stand Up Against Bullying
Dr. Sue Rankin, Inside the Athletic Closet
Coming Out Day Celebration Transgender Day of Remembrance
March for Community 2009
LGBTQ Life on Campus FOR A BETTER GEORGETOWN These are just some of the recent events the LGBTQ Center hosted or partnered with on campus. From academic to social programs, each year we reach hundreds of students to create a more welcoming and accepting community for all of us that call Georgetown Home.
POLITICS & POLICY US Foreign Policy & LGBT Rights Outing as Political Activism Film Screening: Call Me Kutchu Marriage = Death Transgender Issues in Law & Policy Troops in the Open Pride in the Administration
ART & PERFORMANCE Art and Gender 2.0 Dear Harvey Still Me Film Screening: Two Spirits Mal Blum in Queer House Rock Performing the Transmasculine Film Screening “Saint of 9/11”
The Center works in partnership with campus partners, academic departments, GU Pride and other student groups to create educational and social programming throughout the year.
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS
We celebrate LGBTQ History Month as OUTober on the Hilltop, which has grown to be a signature celebration. The month hosts national and international speakers, sponsors student-led discussions, and provides a broad framework to understand and to deepen our knowledge on campus. We provide a lot of on going weekly programs, including the weekly Coffee Hours at the Center which has served to build community, and provide a vibrant space for student connections. We partner with several student groups as part of the various Heritage Month celebrations, including Latinx Heritage Month, Black History Month, and Women’s History Month. We work with campus partners around gender violence and sexual assault, and around healthy masculinity and body image education. We work closely with Ministry to enhance interfaith dialogue around lgbtq issues.
The LGBTQ Center hosts a number of speakers throughout the year. This is just a partial list of some of our recent guests. James Alison Catholic Theologian, Priest, & Author Ben Cohen Founder, StandUp Foundation Ryan Conrad Founder, Against Equality Marisa J. Demeo Associate Judge, Superior Court of DC Donna Freitas, C’94 Asst. Prof. of Religion, Boston University Jonathan Hopkins Spokesperson, OutServe Lorri L. Jean CEO, LA LGBT Center Jimmy LaSalvia Director, Log Cabin Republicans Dr. Simon LeVay Author, “Science of Sexual Orientation” Dr. Bettina Love Assoc. Prof. of Educational Theory & Practice, University of Georgia Jay Michaelson Author, “The Religions Case for Equality” Mia Mingus Writer, Community Educator Jennifer Siebel Newsom Director, “Miss Representation” Robyn Ochs Editor, Bisexual Resource Guide Latyoya Peterson Owner & Editor, Racialicious Casey Prick Programs Director, Log Cabin Republicans
Weekly Coffee Hour
Dr. Sue Rankin Assoc. Prof. of Education, Penn State Cathy Renna Managing Partner, Renna Communications Richard T. Rodríguez Assoc. Prof. of Latino/Latina Studies, Univ. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Donna Rose Transgender Advocate Joe Solmonese President, Human Rights Campaign Yun Suh Director, “City of Borders”
WELLNESS The Science of Sexual Orientation Supporting LGBTQ Rights & Pro-Life HIV Screening: Know Your Satus Walk to End HIV LGB Stigma & Mental Health Disparities Coming Out as HIV Positive LGBTQ & Homeless Youth
INTERFAITH & SPIRITUAL The Sacred and the Sexual Pride Shabbat Faith, Diversity, & Sexual Orientation Gender & Sexuality in Islam AMDG: LGBTQ Life on a Jesuit Campus Faith & Sexuality in the 21st Century IgnatianQ
COMMUNITY FOR ALL Inside the Athletic Closet Families Together in Pride How to be an Awesome Ally Queer Caribanna Queer Identity & Social Justice Pride at Any Age Disability Justice IS Queer Liberation
Lavender Graduation has hosted
amazing alumni Keynote Speakers, including:
Melissa Bradley, MSB ‘89 CEO, Tides
David Catania, SFS ’90, Law ‘94 D.C. Council Member
David Cicilline, Law ‘86
U.S. Representative, 1st Congressional District of Rhode Island
Lavender Graduation 2015
Susan Davis, SFS ‘78
President and CEO, BRAC USA
Lavender Graduation 2011
Mark Dybul, C ’85, M ’92, H ’08
Executive Director, Global Fund to Fight
AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Dan Porterfield, C ‘83
President, Franklin & Marshall College Kara Swisher, SFS’84
Co-Executive Editor, D: All Things Digital
Lavender Graduation Since its inaugural year in 2009, Lavender Graduation, a special ceremony to celebrate our LGBTQ and Ally students, has grown to be our signature celebratory close to the year, and is attended by President Jack DeGioia, Deans, Vice Presidents, faculty, staff, and alumni. From about 30 students in 2009, we have now grown to 120 participating graduating students drawn from every school, including College, SFS, NHS, MSB, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, McCourt School of Public Policy, Law Center, Medical School, and the School of Continuing Studies. The ceremony is attended by over 300 faculty, staff, students, and alumni, and we recognize the achievements of students, faculty, and staff with special Awards. Each year, we have brought back a distinguished Hoya as our keynote speaker to restore LGBTQ history on campus.
David Catania, 2009
Lavender Graduation 2015 Keynote Speaker Mark Dybul with President DeGioia and award winners
We partner witih the Center for Social Justice and the alternative Spring Break programs; in the Spring of 2015, the trip was focused on LGBTQ Youth Homelessness. As part of our recruitment and retention efforts, the Center is involved with New Student Orientation, Hoya Saxa Weekend and Georgetown Admissions Ambassador Program. By being an integral part of (GAAP) students’ first experiences on campus, we work to encourage an open environment for all students. We work in partnership with the Office of Admissions and other campus partners to welcome all new Hoyas to the Hilltop. We work extensively with graduate students on the Main Campus, as well as Law and Medical Schools around career networking, programming, and mentorship.
Discerning our Past: Law Center Symposium In the Spring of 2013, we brought back Lorri L. Jean, lead student plaintiff in Georgetown Gay Rights Coalition of Georgetown University Law Center v. Georgetown University, to participate in the 25th Anniversary symposium to commemorate the history and legal legacy of the case. Jean, who serves as CEO of the L.A. LGBT Center, discussed her activism throughout the nine years of litigation that led to the recognition of the rights of students to organize around sexual orientation.
Community Barbecue 2015
The Center works with several offices to provide a safety net for LGBTQ students to enhance their emotional and spiritual well being and safety.
Lorri L. Jean
LGBTQ Life on Campus
Honoring Our Histories
HOYA Pride
Homecoming Weekend
John Carroll Weekend 2011
In addition to participating in university-wide alumni events such as Homecoming, John Carroll Weekend, and Reunion Weekend, the Center hosts events throughout the year open to our Alumni. Networking and campus celebrations provide the opportunity to reconnect as well as to share knowledge and experiences with current students. We work to connect, and to close our shared circles of understanding. We honor our present by acknowledging our difficult past, and by continuing to reach out to many in the LGBTQ and ally communities who have been part of this journey and change.
Reunion Weekend 2011
Reunion Weekend 2012
Reunion Weekend 2015
Alumni Outreach
Reunion 2013
The Center works with many campus partners for events and programs, including: Office of the President Office of the Provost Office of Mission & Ministry Alumni Association African American Studies Program American Studies Program Department of Anthropology Department of Athletics The Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs Center for Multicultural Equity and Access The Center for Social Justice The Doyle Initiative Department of English Georgetown Scholarship Program Health Education Services Department of History The Kalmanovitz Initiative Department of Performing Arts Residential Living & Education Department of Sociology GU Veteran’s Office Women’s Center Women’s & Gender Studies Program
The LGBTQ Center is now an established presence, and the work is woven into the tapestry of life on the Hilltop. We work across the lifespan of students, both undergraduate and graduate—from admissions and recruitment, to every aspect of student experience while they are here, and with alumni. For the next few years, we will be focused on deepening and strengthening our work with many of our academic partners. We look forward to providing financial support for students with high financial need so that they can do internships in LGBTQ organizations; provide funding for research and scholarship for faculty and students that contribute to our LGBTQ knowledge; and creating a sustained year-long institute to prepare our students to be fully participatory global citizens.
And several student groups, including:
John Carroll Weekend
Black House Black Student Alliance Caribbean Culture Circle College Democrats College Republicans CORP Georgetown Program Board Georgetown University Student Association GU Pride GU Women of Color Hoyas for Immigrant Rights Korean Student Association The Lecture Fund MEChA Solidarity Committee Student of Color Association United Feminists Julian Haas Assistant Director
Shiva Subbaraman Director
Georgetown University 3700 Ost NW 325 Leavey Center Washington, DC 20057 lgbtq@georgetown.edu lgbtq.georgetown.edu (202) 687.3546