About the HGLC
The Harvard Gay and Lesbian Caucus is composed of more than 5,000 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Harvard and Radcliffe alumni/ae, faculty, staff and students. HGLC was formed in 1984 to pressure Harvard University to include sexual orientation in its non-discrimination policy.
HGLC's purposes include:
- Building a sense of community among Harvard and Radcliffe gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people;
- Maintaining and expanding a network of GLBT alumni/ae;
- Pressing for a non-discriminatory and diverse academic, living and working environment at Harvard;
- Educating others and ourselves about GLBT concerns and contributions;
- Undertaking community service projects; and
- Encouraging informal coordination among GLBT student groups throughout the University.
In 1985, HGLC accomplished its original goal; after meeting with Caucus members, the President and Fellows of Harvard College created a new University-wide anti-discrimination policy that included discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Other HGLC activities:
- The establishment of The Open Gate Foundation in 1987, a fund for gay and lesbian life at Harvard University;
- Lobbying Harvard to offer benefits to same-sex partners of its employees, which were finally extended in 1993;
- Launching the Harvard Gay and Lesbian Review (now known as the Gay and Lesbian Review, Inc.) in 1994, a bi-monthly journal of literature and ideas;
- Supporting the opening of the QSA Resource Center in the fall of 1996;
- Awarding the annual HGLC Public Service Fellowship; and
- Honoring Harvard affiliates for contributions to the GLBT community.
Any Harvard/Radcliffe affiliates who support our mission are welcome to join the Caucus regardless of sexual orientation. Although the Caucus is intended mainly for alumni/ae, faculty, and staff, full-time students are also eligible for associate (non-voting) membership. Membership includes three issues of the Caucus Newsletter, a monthly online E-Newsletter, access to our online membership directory, local chapter events, as well as an invitation to our annual Commencement dinner in June.
Dues are voluntary and only $20 a year. For an additional $15 (a 25% discount), members receive six issues of the Gay and Lesbian Review.
Harvard Gay & Lesbian Caucus, Inc. was incorporated on July 3, 1997 as a not-for-profit corporation under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
