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| During its first year, the Student Homophile League had about ten members who fought with university administrators until the group was officially recognized.<ref name=Retherford3/> ], a ]-identified ] activist, is commemorated by a plaque and a portrait in the queer student lounge that bears his name in one of Columbia's residence halls for spearheading the creation of the group.<ref name=Retherford1>{{cite web |url=http://magazine.columbia.edu/features/summer-2016/under-rainbow |title=Under the Rainbow |first=Bill |last=Retherford |date=Summer 2016 |work=Columbia Magazine |page=1 |accessdate=June 16, 2016 }}</ref> One of the key issues over which Donaldson clashed with the administration was the right to keep members' names confidential.<ref name=Retherford4/> | During its first year, the Student Homophile League had about ten members who fought with university administrators until the group was officially recognized.<ref name=Retherford3/> ], a ]-identified ] activist, is commemorated by a plaque and a portrait in the queer student lounge that bears his name in one of Columbia's residence halls for spearheading the creation of the group.<ref name=Retherford1>{{cite web |url=http://magazine.columbia.edu/features/summer-2016/under-rainbow |title=Under the Rainbow |first=Bill |last=Retherford |date=Summer 2016 |work=Columbia Magazine |page=1 |accessdate=June 16, 2016 }}</ref> One of the key issues over which Donaldson clashed with the administration was the right to keep members' names confidential.<ref name=Retherford4/> | ||
| When the group's charter was finally granted in April 1967, Donaldson sent an announcement to every media outlet he knew, but the only response was a radio interview on ], a New York station,<ref name=Retherford4/> and an article in the '']'', which reported that some students believed the new group was an ] joke.<ref name=Schumach>{{cite news |title=Columbia Charters Homosexual Group |first=Murray |last=Schumach |url= |
When the group's charter was finally granted in April 1967, Donaldson sent an announcement to every media outlet he knew, but the only response was a radio interview on ], a New York station,<ref name=Retherford4/> and an article in the '']'', which reported that some students believed the new group was an ] joke.<ref name=Schumach>{{cite news |title=Columbia Charters Homosexual Group |first=Murray |last=Schumach |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70A10F6355C14738DDDAA0894DD405B878AF1D3 |newspaper=] |date=May 3, 1967 |page=1 |subscription=yes |accessdate=June 16, 2016 }}</ref> Two weeks later, on May 3, '']'' reported the story on its front page.<ref name=Retherford4/><ref name=Schumach/> Donaldson later wrote: "The next couple days were frantic as media—which had ignored the press release—suddenly wanted the information I had already given them."<ref name=Retherford4/> | ||
| Around the world, people were paying attention. The university administration was horrified at the publicity. A group of student homosexuals was "a quite unnecessary thing", said one, "and sure as hell won't help" recruiting or fund-raising.<ref name=Retherford4/> The university was deluged with mail, both outraged and amused. Donaldson was quite pleased: "We were celebrities. I saw Columbia as the first chapter of a spreading confederation of student homophile groups."<ref name=Retherford4/> The storm of controversy at the university quickly faded. Within a few months of the article appearing in the ''Times'', Donaldson wrote: "All my friends know about me now, but I have not encountered any hostility yet."<ref name=Retherford4/> | Around the world, people were paying attention. The university administration was horrified at the publicity. A group of student homosexuals was "a quite unnecessary thing", said one, "and sure as hell won't help" recruiting or fund-raising.<ref name=Retherford4/> The university was deluged with mail, both outraged and amused. Donaldson was quite pleased: "We were celebrities. I saw Columbia as the first chapter of a spreading confederation of student homophile groups."<ref name=Retherford4/> The storm of controversy at the university quickly faded. Within a few months of the article appearing in the ''Times'', Donaldson wrote: "All my friends know about me now, but I have not encountered any hostility yet."<ref name=Retherford4/> | ||
Revision as of 09:59, 6 February 2017
Columbia Queer Alliance is the central Columbia University student organization that represents lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning LGBTQ students. It is the oldest such student organization in the world, originally called the Student Homophile League, established in 1966 and recognized by the university on April 19, 1967.
History
During its first year, the Student Homophile League had about ten members who fought with university administrators until the group was officially recognized. Stephen Donaldson, a bisexual-identified LGBT rights activist, is commemorated by a plaque and a portrait in the queer student lounge that bears his name in one of Columbia's residence halls for spearheading the creation of the group. One of the key issues over which Donaldson clashed with the administration was the right to keep members' names confidential.
When the group's charter was finally granted in April 1967, Donaldson sent an announcement to every media outlet he knew, but the only response was a radio interview on WNEW, a New York station, and an article in the Columbia Daily Spectator, which reported that some students believed the new group was an April Fools' Day joke. Two weeks later, on May 3, The New York Times reported the story on its front page. Donaldson later wrote: "The next couple days were frantic as media—which had ignored the press release—suddenly wanted the information I had already given them."
Around the world, people were paying attention. The university administration was horrified at the publicity. A group of student homosexuals was "a quite unnecessary thing", said one, "and sure as hell won't help" recruiting or fund-raising. The university was deluged with mail, both outraged and amused. Donaldson was quite pleased: "We were celebrities. I saw Columbia as the first chapter of a spreading confederation of student homophile groups." The storm of controversy at the university quickly faded. Within a few months of the article appearing in the Times, Donaldson wrote: "All my friends know about me now, but I have not encountered any hostility yet."
Student activists at Cornell University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New York University, Rutgers University, and Stanford University formed similar groups of their own within two years. More than 150 such student groups had been established by the end of four years.
Activities
Among other activities, the Columbia Queer Alliance has hosted "First Friday Dances" for decades, which at their inception were one of the few places where college-age LGBT people could socialize with one another.
References
- ^ Retherford, Bill (Summer 2016). "Under the Rainbow". Columbia Magazine. p. 3. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
- Dilley, Patrick (2002). Queer Man on Campus: A History of Non-Heterosexual College Men, 1945–2000. New York: RoutledgeFalmer. p. 167. ISBN 0-415-93336-6.
- ^ Retherford, Bill (Summer 2016). "Under the Rainbow". Columbia Magazine. p. 4. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
- Retherford, Bill (Summer 2016). "Under the Rainbow". Columbia Magazine. p. 1. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
- ^ Schumach, Murray (May 3, 1967). "Columbia Charters Homosexual Group". The New York Times. p. 1. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
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External links
Categories:
- Columbia University
- LGBT youth organizations based in the United States
- Civil rights organizations in the United States
- Student organizations in the United States
- Youth empowerment organizations
- History of LGBT civil rights in the United States
- Queer
- Student organizations established in 1967
- 1967 establishments in New York