It should come as no surprise that individuals of the LGBTQ community have embraced oppressive circumstances and discrimination. In light of these adversarial conditions, students found liberation in protests — from wearing blue jeans to holding signs in the Brickyard. In observance of World Day of Social Justice on Monday, glimpse into the progress the LGBTQ community has made on campus throughout the years.
1/12/1972: Triangle Gay Alliance
Technician reported about the formation of the TGA, which aimed to comfort gay persons and break down barriers separating them from one another. The members consisted primarily of those in the Research Triangle Park and provided a 24-hour phone line for support, according to NCSU Libraries.
4/14/1978: National Gay Blue Jeans Day
Gay and lesbian students at NC State celebrated National Gay Blue Jeans Day. Advertisements sprayed in the Free Expression Tunnel were defaced. National Gay Blue Jeans Day prompted straight people to consciously consider how they dressed in order to avoid being perceived as gay. It also brought to light how others reacted to their sexual orientation.
12/14/1978: Gay and Lesbian Christian Alliance becomes a student group
4/15/1981: Gay Awareness Day
Gay Awareness Day was sponsored by the NC State Gay Community student group, which was established earlier in the year.
1989: Lesbian and Gay Student Union
This was a student group — not an office or building. It was active from 1989-96. It may have been the first gay and lesbian student group to receive funding from Student Government, according to NCSU Libraries.
4/29/1991: Sexual orientation statement released
Chancellor Larry Monteith stated that sexual orientation wasn’t a relevant factor in educational and employment decisions.
12/1/1993: World AIDS Day
In honor of World Aids Day, there was an information resource fair, a prayer service, a reading of names, a collection of food and toiletries donations and other activities. An AIDS Memorial Quilt was showcased in Talley Student Union and Witherspoon Student Center since Nov. 19 of that year, according to NCSU Libraries.
3/3/1994: Anti-Hate Rally
Students rallied in Harris Field in response to recent rapes, alleged racist remarks from professors, sexual harassment in the classroom and anti-gay messages in the Free Expression Tunnel.
2/23/1995: Barefoot Rally
Students painted announcements for Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Awareness Week; however, it was covered by graffiti urging students to wear shoes every day in support of violence against gay and lesbian people. In response, the Lesbian and Gay Student Union gathered in the Brickyard, protesting barefooted, according to NCSU Libraries.
Fall 1996: BGLA and Project Safe
The Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Allies (BGLA) student organization was established. It may have replaced the Lesbian and Gay Student Union. Also, Project Safe was launched to foster a “safe, nonjudgmental campus climate” for students with questions concerning gay, lesbian and bisexual topics.
10/19/1998: Diversity statement
Chancellor Marye Anne Fox released a statement in support of diversity and building a campus community through tolerance of difference.
2001: Delta Lambda Pi
Delta Lambda Phi, founded in 1987 in Washington, D.C., is the only national fraternity founded by gay men for gay, bisexual, transgender and progressive men. NC State’s chapter was formed in 2001.
Fall 2002: Student Senate Resolution on Sexual Orientation
The Student Senate passed a resolution inviting the university to add sexual orientation to its non-discrimination policy, according to NCSU Libraries.
2003: Campus Climate Survey
This was NC State’s first assessment of the campus climate for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students.
9/2/2003: Non-Discrimination Policy
As per the Student Senate’s request, sexual orientation was added to NC State’s Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy Statement.
2004: GLBT Subcommittee
As a result of the Campus Climate Survey, the University Diversity Committee formed a subcommittee to develop recommendations for improving the campus climate for GLBT students and staff.
2005: Changes to the Non-Discrimination Policy
The university’s Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy forbid discrimination based on gender identity.
2007: AEGIS (Accepting and Embracing Gender Identity and Sexuality) chapter formed on campus.
1/23/2008: GLBT Center Opened
The GLBT Center relocated and officially became a department under the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity, after years as a resource within campus activities, according to NCSU Libraries.
5/6/2009: First Lavender Graduation
While the idea for the Lavender Graduation sprouted in the 1990s, it made its way to NC State in 2009. To this day, the ceremony honors the academic achievements and contributions of LGBTQ members on campus. It helps those feel supported by universities for honorably embracing their identities and surviving hardship.
9/25/2010: NC Pride Parade held in Durham, N.C.
Individuals of NC State’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Alliance attended the rally.
10/20/2010: Rally supporting GLBT community in Brickyard (later coined “Ally Rally.”
2011: First Diversity Education Week
Diversity Education Week aims to promote diverse cultures and intercultural understanding.
8/17/2011: First Respect the Pack event
Originally held at the Free Expression Tunnel, this is held annually to foster inclusion and diversity among students.
10/20/2011: State Not Hate Rally
Students rallied in the Brickyard in response to vandalism of the GLBT Center.
2012: Gender and Non-Discrimination Statement Issued
The policy prohibits hatred and harassment regarding gender identity and gender expression.
6/26/2015: Same-sex marriage legalized in North Carolina
4/6/2016: Student Senate passed a bill opposing House Bill 2
The GLBT Center compiled a list of inclusive bathroom facilities on campus.
In 1994, students protested on Harris Field in response to recent reports of harassment and violence.
