Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Alumni Association

Reaching Out

An e-Newsletter by the IU Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Alumni Association

Enjoy Thanksgiving!November, 2014
In This Issue
1. Member Profile
2. Seventh Celebration Weekend
3. GLBTAA Scholarship Campaign
4. IUPUI Advocates for Sexual Equality
5. Facebook
6. Academic Scholarship Recipient
7. Member Notes
8. GLBTAA Scholarships
9. Membership
Connect with us!

   

 

 

 

   

   

IU Bloomington
             

 

  

 

 

Your Board is busy planning our Seventh Celebration Weekend for January 30 - February 1. All faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends, please join us for this fabulous weekend and see for yourselves why IU is one of the "top 50" LGBT-friendly universities in the nation! 

 

The weekend will start at the Neal-Marshall Center on Friday, January 30 with welcoming comments and the presentation of our 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award.  The Grazie reception on Saturday, January 31 remains our main attraction, and the silent auction that evening provides an important fundraising activity.  Please think if you have any item(s) you wish to contribute to our silent auction.  If so, please contact Stephanie Burks at

[email protected] or Clarence Boone at [email protected]   Also, you will be able to donate for the purchase of "student" tickets to the Grazie reception on our online reservation site, which will be available in our December Newsletter.

  

Each year we have more alumni and friends from across the nation who join us for this special weekend in Bloomington.  Come have a ton of fun, see old friends, make new ones, discuss the latest developments in the state and beyond and share in the joy of all the progress we've made.  We look forward to greeting you and expressing our gratitude for your steadfast support to the IU GLBTAA, Indiana University and the LGBT community.

 

Mike Shumate, GLBTAA Past President

[email protected]   

1. Member Profile 
 

 

Catherine Johnson-Roehr

After 17 years in Bloomington, Catherine Johnson­-Roehr is proud to call herself a Hoosier, but she'll always be a Duck as well. After spending the first decade of her life in an Air Force family that moved to a new base every few years, she spent the latter half of her childhood on a former dairy farm on the Oregon coast. In 1976 she moved to Eugene to attend the University of Oregon, where she majored in sociology with a minor in a new field called Women's Studies. By the time she graduated in 1980, she had discovered the Kinsey Scale and figured she was about a five. After working for a few years, Catherine decided to head back to school to pursue her interest in art history, earning an MA from the University of Oregon in 1989. She spent the following year as a curatorial intern at the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco; it was the height of the AIDS crisis, but having the experience of working directly with one of the country's finest collections of American art made it an amazing but bittersweet year. Back in Eugene, Catherine took a job at the university's Architecture and Allied Arts Library, where she met an art history graduate student named Susan Roehr. Shortly before moving to Bloomington in 1997, they were married before friends and family in a city park-they were surprised by the number of straight friends who assumed it was already legal in Oregon, even though same-sex marriage wouldn't arrive there until 2014.  

 

Kinsey in Morrison Hall

After two years working with rare books and manuscripts at IU's Lilly Library, Catherine became the Curator of Art, Artifacts, and Photographs at The Kinsey Institute in 2000. Under director John Bancroft, her first major undertaking was an exhibition titled Sex and Humor, with a catalog published by Indiana University Press. "Searching through boxes and cabinets for funny novelty items and prints, drawings, and photographs that used sexual imagery to amuse and titillate provided a very interesting introduction to the Kinsey Institute's world renowned research collections," Catherine recalls. Now in her 14th year as art curator, she is pleased by the expansion of the institute's public exhibition program from a show every year or so to an active schedule of 6 or more exhibitions a year plus traveling shows that have gone to Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Crawfordsville, and even Hollywood.

 

Catherine is especially excited by the success of the Kinsey Institute

Juried Art Show which will mark its 10th anniversary in 2015. More than 700 artworks were submitted for the 2014 competition, by artists from across the United States, as well as Canada and Europe. The exhibition quickly outgrew the Institute's gallery, so since 2009 it has been held at the Grunwald Gallery, IU's contemporary art space in the Fine Arts building. Not only does the show benefit the artists who have the opportunity to show their work, but it also has helped the Institute build its art collection through donations received from some of the participants. Catherine believes the expansion of the exhibition program has increased awareness of the collections as a whole. Although the artworks and artifacts collected today may be put on public display, they are primarily meant to serve as research materials for the study of human sexuality. "Artworks that address contemporary issues around sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and reproduction will provide critical documentary evidence for researchers using the Kinsey Institute's collection long into the future," says Catherine. She looks forward to seeing the Institute become even better known nationally and internationally as an authoritative source of information, as well as for its unique art and library collections.

Catherine (left) with photographer Judy Dater
 2. Seventh Celebration Weekend 

 


 

The GLBTAA is proud to announce its seventh annual Celebration Weekend January 30 - February 1, 2015. Coinciding with the Bloomington PRIDE Film Festival, our Celebration Weekend offers faculty, staff, alumni, students and friends a wonderful schedule of diverse and fun-filled events throughout the last weekend in January. The main events are:

 

 Reception at the Neal-Marshall Center

~ Friday, January 30, 2015, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

~ 275 N. Jordan Ave.

The Neal-Marshal Black Cultural Center serves as a bridge connecting Indiana University to Black culture and has a rich history in supporting IU's efforts in the recruitment and retention of Black students and in promoting knowledge and awareness of the Black experience. We are thrilled to be hosting our opening event here.  For more information about the Neal-Marshall Black Cultural Center, please see: Center

 

GLBTAA Annual Board Meeting

~ Saturday, January 31, 2015, 10:00 a.m. - noon

~ DeVault Alumni Center,1000 E. 17th St. (parking available in lot west of building)

 

Grazie! Reception and Silent Auction                     

~ Saturday, January 31, 2015, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

~ Grazie! Italian Eatery, 106 W. Sixth St.

~ Cost is $20 per person, which includes a glass of wine

Please join us for an early evening of hors d'oeuvres, rainbow martinis, jazz piano, a silent auction and much, much more! What a great way to see old friends and make new ones before attending one of the films, or any other of the events, during this special Saturday evening. All net proceeds benefit our various GLBTAA events, programs and scholarships. If you wish, you will be able to contribute to pay for one or more Grazie tickets for IU students. The GLBTAA Board will administer the distribution of all such donated tickets to students. You will be able to make reservations and contribute for student tickets online next month in our December Newsletter.

  

Bagels and Coffee at the GLBTSSS Office

~ Sunday, February 1, 2015, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

~ GLBT Student Support Services Office, 705 E. Seventh St. (across from the IMU)

Wrap up the weekend with coffee and bagels at the GLBTSSS Office, a "home away from home" for countless of our IUB students for over 18 years. If you haven't already done so, come by and take a tour of the renovated office - a perfect way to complete the weekend's festivities.    

 
 

Fun at 2014 Celebration weekend!
 
More fun!
 3. 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.  

    

Anthony Masseria, a former academic scholarship recipient has commented: "It was invaluable for so many reasons. As a graduate student, money to support my education is scarce. On top of that, I am a part-time student, and most scholarships and fellowships are available only to full-timers. Being granted the scholarship was a huge relief because funding my graduate education is always a challenge. Although I was awarded the academic scholarship, the award came at just the right moment, as my husband and I experienced a drastic change in our income. I am now in my last year of coursework, and because of the scholarship, I was able to stay in school and continue my research on the experiences of LGBT students in higher education." Anthony is in his last year of coursework for his PhD at IUB's Department of Education Leadership and Policy Studies in the School of Education. He is also Associate Director for Graduate Programs at IU's Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis.  


 

Contributions can be made online at Campaign Contributions 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!


 

 

4. IUPUI Advocates for Sexual Equality

 

   

 

 

Advocates for Sexual Equality (ASE) is the only organization on the IUPUI campus for the undergraduate LGBT student body. While by no means a requirement to be a member or part of the group, ASE offers not only a safe and welcoming space for LGBT and ally students to meet, but also the opportunity to reach out to the campus and help make IUPUI a friendlier and more diverse environment for all students. ASE welcomes all sexualities and gender identities, not just those outlined in the LGBT acronym. In addition to campus diversity, community service and outreach are also important. ASE's mission includes: providing networking and social opportunities; sponsoring educational activities; providing information about the activities and legal developments of the IU LGBT and related communities; advocating to the administration regarding issues which matter to the LGBT community at IUPUI; and keeping our alumni engaged with IU once they leave campus. Additionally, ASE works with the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and supports a number of programs annually to help improve diversity, tolerance and understanding.  For the fifth consecutive year, ASE was a co-sponsor of the hugely successful IUPUI Harvey Milk Dinner on October 11.

 

Other past events have included: fundraising for the AIDS walk; lantern lighting to honor those who have lost the fight to AIDS on World AIDS Day; participating in Question & Answer sessions with the Multi-Cultural Success Center; hosting monthly socials; and organizing with the Bloomington campus the attendance at the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally College Conference. Most recently, ASE is in the process of creating an event (INclusion) to allow and encourage colleges from all over the state of Indiana to gain knowledge about LGBT and related issues and to acquire resources at a conference hosted at IUPUI. If you would like additional information about ASE or to become involved,  please feel free to contact the President of ASE, Jeff Chapman, at [email protected]

 

5. 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.

 

Like us on Facebook

 6. Academic Scholarship Recipient 

 

CONGRATULATIONS are extended to Jaimen Chisholm, one of our 2014 Fall Academic Scholarship recipients! Jai is a senior at IU Bloomington working toward a BS in Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Human Ecology, with a minor in Human Sexuality, in the School of Public Health-Bloomington. Following graduation, Jai is contemplating service with the Peace Corps and ultimately settling in New Mexico or Colorado, where Jai's love for the outdoors can be maximized. Jai's ultimate dream job at this point would be working with animals and those with disabilities in the outdoors. Jai has been a member of the IU Women's Rugby Team since 2011. Jai reflects "I have always enjoyed the outdoors and my love was driven further when I went to Bradford Woods for a three day field trip in the sixth grade. I want to instill my appreciation for nature and wilderness in others." We're proud of you, Jai!    

 

7. Member Notes

Barton Girdwood is a senior completing an individualized major in public memory at IU Bloomington. He studies cultural trends, media production, and how the two intertwine in storytelling. He has co-directed and co-produced the film We'll Be All Right, which recently premiered in Indianapolis as a part of the Heartland Film Festival. http://mediaschool.indiana.edu/news/heartland-film-festival-features-two-students-work/
    
Eric N. Gonzaba is currently a doctoral student in American History at George Mason University. He received his BA in History and Political Science from IU Bloomington in 2012 and a MA in History and Women/Gender Studies from George Mason University in 2014. His research interests revolve around the cultural politics of race and gender in late 20th century America, particularly 1970s dance music, horror films, and conservatism. He formerly served as the editorial assistant for the Indiana Magazine of History, one of the nation's oldest historical journals. While at IUB, he was an intern for the GLBTAA. http://historyarthistory.gmu.edu/people/egonzaba  
 
Rajeev Gupta was a Fulbright Scholar while obtaining his MBA at IU's Kelley School of Business.  Upon his return to India, he launched a trip across the United States - from New York to California meeting "30 families in 30 days". His story captured the hearts of many and was covered by the media. Here is a video of his arrival in San Francisco: 
 
 

Ethan L. Jackson is a senior at IU Bloomington working toward degrees in Business and Gender Studies. The GLBTAA, along with the GLBT Office, co-sponsored Ethan in attending Camp Pride's LGBTQ and Ally Summer Leadership Camp at Vanderbilt University this past summer.  Ethan is also one of our GLBTAA 2014 Fall Academic Scholarship recipients. Ethan is quoted about gender identity and related issues in U.S. News & World Report at: http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2014/09/18/consider-college-options-carefully-as-a-transgender-student


 

Marcus Alan McGhee, M.P.A. is a third-year evening student at the IU McKinney School of Law at IUPUI. He completed a summer internship at Harvard Law School's Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation and recently commented on the dangers of applying a stringent probationary model to mental health courts at:

http://www.chlpi.org/mental-health-courts-in-massachusetts-would-stringent-probationary-terms-increase-program-compliance/    



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.
  
You can learn more about the GLBTAA Scholarship Program and apply online at: http://alumni.indiana.edu/affiliates/glbt/supporting-community/scholarships.html

 

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].