D.C. City Council members have expressed “deep concern over how Georgetown is handling the resource center,” according to advocates of the establishment of a resource center for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students on campus.
Resource center supporter and Voice staff member Joe McFadden (CAS ‘02) and two other center organizers met with D.C. City Council Member David Catania (SFS ‘90), Harold Brazil, and Jeff Kudray in City Council Member Jack Evans’ office Friday to discuss a “range of options” and decide what role is appropriate for them to take.
Vice President of Student Affairs Juan Gonzalez rejected the proposal to create a LGBTQ resource center in a statement released on Feb. 8, claiming that the University’s Catholic identity conflicts with such a center.
According to resource center organizer Anthony House (CAS ‘02), Gonzalez’ letter did not effectively address the points the student organizers brought up in their proposal.
According to McFadden, all of the City Council Members’ offices that they have talked to were “extremely supportive of resources for LGBTQ students.”
Resource center organizers said that they are remaining in contact with the City Council members and will continue to discuss the most appropriate course of action to take next.
“We are still committed to working with Georgetown to get a resource center on campus,” House said.
Resource center organizers have also met with representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union and the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance. According to House, the meetings’ aimed to “get a better feeling for the atmosphere in the District.”
The resource center organizers said that they are seeking input from people who have more experience with LGBTQ politics in the District. Organizers said that they hope to gain support and raise awareness about the resource center proposal at Georgetown. According to House, GLAA representatives are helping the resource center organizers set up appointments with more City Council members.
Resource center supporters are also reviewing applications for a LGBTQ working group on campus that may implement resource programs for LGBTQ students without creating a physical center.
Approximately seven students and 13 administrators will make up the new working group. In addition to looking at what Georgetown has done to support LGBTQ students, the group will address issues such as counseling, housing, residence life and programming.
GU Pride members are also working to address LGBTQ issues at this weekend’s Georgetown Admissions Ambassador Program. Liam Stack (CAS ‘05) said that he is organizing a program to raise awareness of LGBTQ issues on campus for next year’s potential first-year students at the Georgetown.
“We’re organizing this program because otherwise there’s no way for students to get information [on LGBTQ issues]. We want to raise awareness,” Stack said.
Stack and other students plan to distribute resource information sheets to potential students who visit the Georgetown campus during the GAAP weekend. They will also hand out a list of e-mail addresses of current students who are willing to talk to the incoming students anonymously about LGBTQ life on campus.
Although this campaign to raise awareness is not part of the formal GAAP program, Stack said that they will be present on campus to talk to potential students about LGBTQ issues.
