HGLC: Harvard Gay and Lesbian Caucus

The Harvard Gay and Lesbian Caucus is composed of more than 3,400 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Harvard and Radcliffe alumni/ae, faculty, staff and students. HGLC was formed in 1983 with the aim of pressuring 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 transgendered 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 which included discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Other HGLC activities have included:

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 review of literature and ideas;
Supporting the opening of the BGLTSA Resource Center in the fall of 1996; and
Awarding the an annual HGLC Public Service Fellowship

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 dues include six issues of the Gay and Lesbian Review, three issues of The Harvard Gay and Lesbian Newsletter, and monthly email updates, as well as an invitation to our Annual Commencement Dinner in June.

If you're already a member, please consider volunteering for one of the Caucus's current projects or your local chapter - or start one if there aren't any chapters near you. Remember, all the work of the Caucus is accomplished by volunteers like you!

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.

Site redesign by , AB '99.