History of the Caucus

The Harvard Gay & Lesbian Caucus was formed in 1983 with the aim of committing Harvard University to include sexual orientation in its non-discrimination policy.  Its predecessor was Harvard University Gays (HUG), a predominately social group.

In 1985, after meeting with Caucus members, the President and Fellows of Harvard College promulgated a University-wide anti-discrimination policy, including discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

In 1987 the Caucus established a charitable foundation, The Open Gate, a Fund for Gay and Lesbian Life at Harvard University.

The Caucus formed a group of Kennedy School graduates that encouraged the administration to build gay and lesbian concerns into case-studies, forums, staffing and outreach.  This group keeps in touch through an e-mail listserv maintained by the Caucus.

Harvard College, at the instance of the Caucus, asked each residential House to appoint a GLBTS Tutor to serve as a resource for students with questions or concerns relating to issues of sexual orientation.

In 1993, after years of lobbying by the Caucus, Harvard extended benefits to same-sex partners of its employees.

In 1994, the Caucus launched The Harvard Gay and Lesbian Review (now known as the Gay and Lesbian Review, Inc.), a bi-monthly review of literature and ideas.

The Caucus worked to end all Harvard involvement with ROTC, because the program bars open gays, lesbians and bisexuals. In February, 1995, after criticism by the Caucus of an earlier proposal, Harvard announced the end of its financial support for ROTC.

In 1995, Thomas Parry, AB '74, became the first openly gay or lesbian elected member of the Board of the Harvard Alumni Association, with the complete support of the Caucus and its alumni/ae members.

In 1997, the Caucus at last succeeded in persuading Harvard to nominate an openly gay or lesbian candidate for its senior governing board, the Board of Overseers, Sheila Kuehl, Speaker Pro Tempore of the California State Assembly. She was elected, for a two-year term.

Also in 1997, Memorial Church opened its doors for the first time to same-sex commitment ceremonies.

In 1998, the Caucus was delighted to welcome Professor Diana Eck as Master of Lowell House and her partner Dorothy Austin as Co-Master.  They received the Caucus' Visibility Award at the 1998 Annual Commencement Dinner. This is the first time that an openly gay or lesbian person has been named as the Master of a Harvard House, and the first time that a same-sex couple have been named Co-Masters.

Also in 1998, Harvard Magazine published the article "Gay Like Me," by Andrew Tobias, in the January/February issue. This set off a storm of letters in the March/April, May/June, and even the July/August issues.

For more recent events, please see What's New.