Kris Livingston

The Chancellor's Standing Committee on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Issues was formed by Chancellor Jim Corbridge in fall 1993. After Colorado voters passed Amendment 2, denying fundamental civil rights to same-sex partners, Chancellor Corbridge appointed a task force to evaluate the campus climate for the GLBT community. The task force found evidence of intimidation, harassment, and hostility and suggested that a standing committee be formed to oversee the implementation of their recommendations.

Throughout the past 13 years great strides have been made in making the Boulder campus a more hospitable environment for the GLBT community, as the Chancellor's Standing Committee on GLBT Issues has systematically pursued every recommendation of the initial task force.

A few of the more significant achievements include:

1. Creation of the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Alumni Association – 1994
2. Creation of the GLBT Resource Center – 1995
3. Health insurance for students' same-sex partners – 1995
4. Gay and lesbian couples eligible for university family housing - 1995
5. Formation of the LGBT Studies Certificate Program - 1995
6. "Sexual Orientation" added to CU's nondiscrimination policy - 2001
7. Domestic Partner Benefits extended to faculty and non-classified staff - 2002

The committee continues to be comprised of GLBT faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, and allies. Our mission remains the same: We seek an affirming campus environment in which people of all sexual orientations, gender, and racial or ethnic identities can pursue their professional and educational goals free of discrimination.

In its first decade the committee fulfilled very specific goals, one by one. As the campus and society moved forward, we made great strides. But as history teaches, we must not be complacent. We must protect the advances that have been made and ensure that the achievements remain in place on the Boulder campus.

Committee goals for the near future include:

1. To remain vigilant in protecting a positive and supportive climate for GLBT people on campus
2. To add "gender expression/gender identity" to CU's nondiscrimination policy
3. To help the newly created GLBT Advisory Board raise matching funds for a Gill Foundation Grant to benefit the GLBT Resource Center, the LBGT Studies Certificate Program, and the LBGT Alumni Association
4. To provide direction for CU's mandatory diversity training
5. To keep Chancellor Peterson apprised of GLBT issues on the Boulder campus while offering recommendations and solutions

To continue to succeed, the Chancellor's Standing Committee on GLBT Issues needs the GLBT community and its allies to communicate concerns, issues, and abuses that they see or hear. We need to understand and deal with situations when they arise. The committee is prepared to be the watchdog of hateful behavior and to seek the resources for resolution. Please contact us by visiting our website.