[From the Winter, 1996 issue of The Harvard Gay & Lesbian Newsletter]
If Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld '66, J.D. '70 had his way, state Revenue Department commissioner and Caucus member Mitchell Adams '66, M.B.A. '69 would be a nominee for Harvard's Board of Overseers. Members of the Caucus share Weld's view and have been campaigning on Adam's behalf for several years. But in January the nominating committee failed once again to name any openly gay, lesbian or bisexual person as a candidate for Overseer (see companion article).
This means that the Board of Overseers will continue to lack the unique perspectives and contributions that an openly gay member could bring. Former Caucus co-chair Jack Wofford '57, J.D. '62 has worked persistently for a gay presence on the Board. He feels that only such a presence will enable the other Overseers to "get away from thinking of gay people as 'they' and 'them' and realize that we are an essential part of the Harvard community."
Adams, who was recently appointed by the Overseers to the visiting committee for Memorial Church and who serves on two Harvard Alumni Association committees, tried to remain positive when asked about not being nominated. "I am not discouraged by the fact that I was not selected this year. Maybe it will happen next year." He described his outlook as "realistic but hopeful."
Wofford believes, however, that the Caucus needs to do more than wait for the nominating committee. "If an openly gay candidate is not nominated officially next year, I think we should be poised and ready to do a petition drive." The Caucus would only need to gather around 250 signatures to place a name on the Overseer ballot. "Perhaps we should offer both a lesbian candidate and a gay male candidate," suggested current Caucus co-chair Bob Mack '71, J.D. '74.
Caucus members are encouraged to submit suggestions for potential candidates. Wofford pointed out that Adams' name was surfaced in response to a similar request three years ago. Proposed names should be sent to HGLC, P.O. Box 381809, Cambridge, MA 02238 or via e-mail to [email protected].
There was an amusing twist last October when The Boston Globe reported that "Governor Weld has appointed revenue department commissioner Mitchell Adams, to be a member of Harvard's Governing Board of Overseers." Boston area Caucus members were elated at this bold move, although it seemed too good to be true (especially since we had been under the impression that the Massachusetts Governor lost the power to appoint Harvard's governing boards in 1821.) We were not surprised when the next day's edition clarified that Weld had recommended -- not made -- the Adams appointment.
[From the Winter, 1996 issue of The Harvard Gay & Lesbian Newsletter]