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 | | IU Kokomo |
 | | IP Fort Wayne |
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We launched our GLBTAA Student Scholarship Campaign in September, 2013. The results have been gratifying. As of September 1, 2014, we have raised a total of $674,015.36 in cash and written pledges. THANK YOU! For more information about our Campaign, please see paragraph #1 below.
Mike Shumate, GLBTAA Past President
[email protected]
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1. GLBTAA Scholarship Campaign
Please continue to "spread the word" about our ground-breaking Campaign, which will help to endow our GLBTAA Scholarship Program. We have awarded eight academic scholarships for the 2014 fall semester. Each recipient will be featured in one of our Newsletters. One is covered in paragraph # 6 below. After reviewing another heart-breaking story, we also awarded emergency funds to an IUB student. Since 2005, we have now granted 48 scholarships (36 academic scholarships and 12 emergency scholarships) to IU students. Because of your generous support, we will be able to continue providing scholarships well into the future.
Matthew D. Showalter, one of our current academic scholarship recipients, has commented: "I am incredibly honored to have received the GLBTAA Academic Scholarship and to be a part of IU's continuing tradition of promoting diversity and supporting minority achievement. I believe that this scholarship and others offered by the GLBT Alumni Association foster a greater dedication to individual achievement, person preservation, and a deeper sense of diversity within the IU community. I hope to continue this legacy throughout my career and am proud to be a part of such an esteemed organization." Matt is a third-year student at the IU Maurer School of Law in Bloomington. This semester he is studying at Bucerius Law School in Hamburg, Germany.
Following law school, he aspires for a career combining international politics and law.
Contributions can be made online at:
http://alumni.indiana.edu/affiliates/glbt/supporting-community/index.html
If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Mike Shumate at [email protected] or 858-922-6105; or IUAA Alumni Relations Officer Clarence Boone at 800-824-3044. Again, heartfelt gratitude to everyone for supporting our Campaign.
THANK YOU, IU alumni, faculty, staff, students, allies and our many friends!
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2. Member Profile
 | | Colin R. Johnson |
Colin R. Johnson is no stranger to the Midwest. He grew up in Macomb, Illinois, a small college town located four and half hours south of Chicago, the city where he eventually went on to complete his bachelor's degree at the University of Chicago. Johnson then moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to pursue a PhD in American Culture at University of Michigan. In 2001 he headed east to Washington, DC, where he held research fellowships at both the Smithsonian Institution and the Johns Hopkins University. But in 2005 Johnson moved back to the Midwest to take up a faculty post in Indiana University Bloomington's Department of Gender Studies, a position he continues to hold, quite happily, a decade later.
"When I accepted this job, I remember my father telling me how pleased he was that I had decided to move back to the Midwest so that I could be closer to my family," Johnson says. "I think my response at the time was something like 'uh huh.' But honestly, the prospect of being within driving distance of family and long-time friends was just the icing on the cake. I moved to Indiana because, in 2005, IUB already had a very well-established reputation for being an institutional leader where cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research on gender and sexuality is concerned. And that reputation has only continued to improve since we launched the nation's first doctoral degree program in Gender Studies back in 2006."
It has undoubtedly also continued to improve because of the many scholarly contributions that Johnson and his colleagues in the Department of Gender Studies have made over the past decade. For example, Johnson's recently published book, Just Queer Folks: Gender and Sexuality in Rural America (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2013), was both widely and very positively reviewed when it was released last summer. Library Journal pronounced it a "splendid book...[that] proves the worth of rigorous, scholarly interdisciplinary research." Times Higher Education called it "pioneering."
"That was pretty amazing," says Johnson. "Given the high volume of genuinely path breaking work being done on LGBT-related subjects in any number of fields these days, it's rare enough for any department to see even one of its faculty members' books make the finalist list for a Lambda Literary Award. We had three in a single year: mine, Marlon's, and our colleague Maria San Filippo's. [San Filippo was a visiting faculty member in the Department during the 2013-14 academic year.] Add to that the various 'Lammy' nominations and wins that some of our incredible faculty affiliates have picked up in recent years, and I think it's safe to say that Indiana University Bloomington is definitely doing something profoundly right where LGBT Studies is concerned."
What is more, LGBT Studies is an area where the IUB Department of Gender Studies intends to make even greater investments in the years to come, especially in ways that promise to benefit students directly at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. "Indiana University Bloomington already offers more LGBT Studies courses than most other colleges and universities in the United States. Our students benefit enormously from that, just as they benefit enormously from the outstanding work being done by Doug Bauder and others over at the GLBT office. Indeed, these days, students at IUB learn very quickly that this institution doesn't just tolerate gender and sexual diversity; it genuinely regards gender and sexuality as matters that are just as worthy of rigorous contemplation and serious investigation as any of the other grand, meaning-of-life sorts of issues that faculty and students on this campus address in their work every day. That institutional commitment is hugely important," Johnson insists, "not only in terms of the kinds of contributions to the state of knowledge it helps us to make here in Bloomington, but also in terms of the way people experience their time at IUB. After all, it's one thing for a college or university to embrace gender and sexuality diversity as part of a general commitment to civility and inclusiveness; it's quite another for students especially to see that their experiences and perspectives as LGBT persons, or the experiences and perspectives of LGBT family members or friends, are taken seriously by an institution of higher learning. And that is exactly what happens at IUB every time a student walks into one of our LGBT Studies courses."
"Still, we can do more. And in fact we are," Johnson says. "One thing we're currently at work on in the Department of Gender Studies is a proposal for a new LGBT Studies minor. We're also in discussion with our colleagues over at Residential Programs and Services about the possibility of creating some kind of LGBT-themed living and learning and community. So, there is a lot to look forward to in the years ahead, and we definitely hope that alumni will want to be involved."
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3. Keshet
Keshet (Hebrew for "rainbow") is IU's Jewish LGBTQ organization. Affiliated with Indiana Hillel, Keshet is open to anyone (ally or LGBTQ identified) who is interested in the intersection between a Judaism and LGBTQ identity. While by no means a requirement to be a member or part of the group, Keshet aims to create an open, welcoming and affirming space for LGBTQ Jews. Keshet strives to provide both a Jewish and general faith-based voice within the IU LGBTQ community, in part, by sponsoring educational activities and hosting speakers, providing information regarding the activities and events of the IU LGBTQ community, providing networking and social opportunities for members and allies, and keeping people informed of developments that affect our and the broader based LGBTQ communities.
 | | Rabbi Steven Greenberg |
This past year, Keshet brought Rabbi Steven Greenberg, author and the first openly gay Orthodox Rabbi, to campus for an evening full of great discussion and food. Greenberg concluded his moving remarks by speaking of the importance of humility in dealing with scriptures and religious issues and the importance of creating a more empathetic environment for LGBTQ people. "It is the people in this room who stand up to bigotry in this area and others that will make the difference," Greenberg said. "I am moved by your presence here. There are young people who need to be stood up for. It is you and how you behave and act in the Jewish and non-Jewish communities you build that will actually change the world." An excellent article was published in IUB's Indiana Daily Student on April 3 by student journalist Suzanne Grossman about Greenberg's visit to Bloomington. Briefly, Rabbi Greenberg participated in an early documentary film about homosexual men and women raised in the Orthodox Jewish world, and, among many other accomplishments, is presently a Senior Teaching Fellow and Director of Diversity Project at the National Jewish Center of Learning and Leadership.
Additionally, this past year Keshet held bi-monthly meetings, where members were able to consider a wide range of topics and to participate in events around campus and Bloomington, including an organized group trip to The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This coming year, Keshet hopes to continue building on past accomplishments, with even more get-togethers and events. Every Friday, Keshet intends to meet at Starbucks (at Indiana and Kirkwood) at 2:30 for Keshet Koffee, where students can come and discuss whatever might be on their mind - or just spend time in a welcoming environment, fully accepting of exactly "who they are". All are welcome! In the coming year, Keshet also plans to be more involved throughout the community with other LGBTQ organizations at IU.
If you would like additional information about Keshet or to become involved, please feel free to contact Hillel at 812-336-3824, or the President of Keshet, Frankie Salzman, at [email protected]
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4. Facebook
The GLBTAA has had a Facebook page for some time now, but some of you may not be aware of it. If you haven't already done so, check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/iuglbtaa. "Like" our page and follow our Facebook posts regarding news, updates and information about our events.
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5. Bloomington PRIDE Summerfest
 | | Two of our Volunteers! |
We were proud to be a sponsor at the inaugural Bloomington 2014 PRIDE Summerfest and to have a booth during some of the festivities on Saturday, September 6. We reached people from many different age groups, but particularly young people as IU commenced its Fall semester. We signed up 31 new members! The greatest success perhaps was that we provided support to LGBT young people as they celebrated "exactly who they are." And we reminded them that they have a "home away from home" at IU Bloomington - one of the "top 50" LGBT-friendly universities in the nation! For a summary of Smmerfest, please click PRIDE
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6. Academic Scholarship Recipient
CONGRATULATIONS are extended to Ethan L. Jackson, one of our 2014 Fall Academic Scholarship recipients! Ethan is a senior at IU Bloomington working toward degrees in Business and Gender Studies. Following graduation, he intends to pursue a Master's in Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) at IU's School of Education. Ethan is a Resident Assistant on campus and has devoted considerable efforts with gender identity initiatives at IUB, particularly with the Transgender Advocacy Group. Ethan reflects "With a master's in HESA, I hope to work with universities and help them create more inclusive residential programs and services for transgender and gender-nonconforming students." We're proud of you, Ethan!
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7. Fifth IUPUI Harvey Milk Dinner
 | | IUPUI Professor Sheila Suess Kennedy presiding at past dinner |
This year marks the fifth year for IUPUI's annual Harvey Milk Dinner, and they're going big! The campus will take over the Downtown Marriott in Indianapolis on Saturday, October 11 for a celebration befitting a fifth anniversary. The reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a cash bar and hors d'oeuvres followed by dinner. The keynote address for this year's event will be Lea DeLaria. DeLaria is a comedian, actress, and jazz musician and plays the role of "Big Boo" in Orange Is the New Black. She was the first openly gay comic to break the late-night talk-show barrier with her appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show in 1993. DeLaria has performed stand-up comedy for more than 25 years and is a prominent figure in the world of LGBT comedy. She began her career billing herself as "That [expletive] Dyke," explaining that when she walked down the street, people
 | | Lea DeLaria |
would yell that at her. DeLaria integrates musical performance into her stand-up comedy, focusing on traditional and modern be-bop jazz. In 2001 she released a CD of jazz standards called Play It Cool. This was followed by the album Double Standards in 2003 and by The Very Best of Lea DeLaria in 2008. DeLaria has appeared in a number of TV and film roles, including Edge of Seventeen, The First Wives Club, and One Life to Live. She has appeared in a number of on and off-Broadway shows, including: The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and On the Town.
Registrations are available online at www.myiupui.com/2014MilkDinner
Alumni, faculty/staff, and community tickets are $55 and $25 for students. Table and corporate sponsorships are available for campus and community groups; please contact Jayme Little at [email protected] for additional information.
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8. GLBTAA Scholarships
GLBTAA Academic Scholarships Academic Scholarships are awarded to IU students enrolled at any IU campus, who are academically strong, as well as active in promoting diversity, tolerance and social justice. Scholarships are awarded to students based upon academic achievement, career goals, financial need, leadership experience, community service and extracurricular activities. Involvement in activities promoting diversity and raising awareness of GLBT and related issues on the student's campus or in his or her community is carefully reviewed by the Board. The maximum award for an Academic Scholarship is $1,000 per semester. An individual student may not receive more than $2,000. The deadline for the Spring 2015 semester is November 15, 2014.
IU GLBTAA Emergency Scholarships
Emergency Scholarships are awarded to those students who experience the loss of financial support when they make the courageous decision to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity to their families. Emergency Scholarships help to ensure that students need not choose between their education at IU and living life openly and honestly. Emergency Scholarships are awarded to students attending any IU campus. The maximum award for an Emergency Scholarship is $1,500 per semester, and a student may not receive more than $3,000.
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9. Membership
Encourage your friends to join the GLBTAA. They can visit our website here and join. There are no membership dues, and you do not have to be a member of the IUAA, or an IU degree-holder. We are approaching 1,600 members nation-wide, and we're growing! We appreciate your continued commitment! It is because of you that the GLBTAA is in existence, continues to grow and continues to serve our important mission on all eight of IU's campuses. If you are a member and wish to continue receiving our e-Newsletters, please make sure we have a current e-mail address for you. You can visit https://alumni.indiana.edu/my-iu/index.html to see if your official record, including your e-mail address, is current. Thank you for your support through your membership. We look forward to serving you now and in the years to come. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Clarence Boone, Alumni Relations Officer, at: [email protected] or Mike Shumate at [email protected] .
If not already a member, please consider joining the IUAA by visiting https://alumni.indiana.edu/membership/index.html, by [email protected] or calling (800) 824-3044. By joining the IUAA, among many other things, you help fund the various GLBTAA programs, along with gaining access to IUAA member-only events.
If you would like to unsubscribe and terminate future communications from the GLBTAA, please respond to: [email protected].
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