Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Alumni Association

Reaching Out

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

Spring is Approaching!March, 2016
In This Issue
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As spring approaches, we look forward to continue working together to fulfill our important mission "to improve the quality of life for GLBT students, faculty, staff and alumni of Indiana University on all eight campuses." Much gratitude to all of you for your steadfast support.
 
Mike Shumate, Past President


1. Member Profile
  
William L. Yarber, PhD
 
 
Since the beginning of my professional life as a high school sexuality and health educator in Madison, Indiana, in the mid 1960's to my current professorship at IU, three passions have guided me: the discovery and dissemination of knowledge, the defense of the right of people to learn about sexuality, and the advocacy for sexual equality. These core passions have been partners in my 50-year career as a sexuality researcher and educator and have provided an enduring foundation at times in which my work has been both welcomed and criticized. I learned early on that, if one needs wide approval for his or her work, then sexuality is not the correct academic discipline. I have often reminded myself of these guiding passions, deciding to hold on to them rather than being intimidated. A companion to these passions is my curiosity. In my quest for knowledge about sexuality, I have been blessed to be curious. This gift may be best expressed by author William Author Ward: "Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning."
 
Socrates also observed, "There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance." Some espouse the opposite. In our culture, some believe sexual knowledge has little value, is actually harmful, and should be limited or eliminated. My profession is based on the tenet that we all suffer, and the public loses, when sex research and education are hampered.
 
I present some examples of how these passions have shaped my professional activities.
 
At the request of the U.S. federal government, I authored the nation's first secondary school AIDS curriculum, AIDS: What Young People Should Know (1987, 1989, Association for the Advancement of Health Education), which was used by over 200,000 students nationwide. I authored STD: A Guide for Today's Young Adults (1989, AAHE), considered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control of Prevention as establishing a new standard for schools' STD curricula.
 
I have also authored/co-authored numerous scientific reports on sexual risk behavior and prevention and have received several grants for support of my scholarly AIDS/STD prevention efforts. I am a member of the international Kinsey Institute Condom Use Research Team, which has investigated condom use errors and problems and developed interventions designed to ehhance correct condom use. I am the lead author of the textbook, Human Sexuality: Diversity in Contemporary America (McGraw-Hill, 9th edition, 2016), which is used in over 300 colleges throughout the nation.
 
I chaired the National Guidelines Task Force, which developed the Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education: Kindergarten-12th Grade (1991, 1996, 2004), published by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) and adapted in six countries worldwide. I am past president of The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS) and the SIECUS board of directors. My awards include the SSSS Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award; the Professional Standard of Excellence Award from the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists; the IU President's Award for Distinguished Teaching; and the inaugural IU Graduate Student Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award. I have been a consultant to the World Health Organization and organizations in Brazil, China, Jamaica, Poland, Portugal, and Taiwan.
 
After I graduated from Salem, Indiana high school, I attended IU, completing the first of four IU degrees in 1965. I am so grateful that I chose IU; she forever changed my life, opening me up to new ways of thinking and to a world of varied ideas, cultures, people, and arts. Because of attending IU, I have lived a more rewarding life. She gave so much to me that I decided to give back. I have endowed the world's first professorship in sexual health, the William L. Yarber Professorship in Sexual Health and the Ryan White and William L. Yarber Lecture Series.
 
After completing my doctorate at IU in 1973, I was a faculty member at the University of Minnesota and Purdue University. Then, in 1984, my dream came true! I became a faculty member at IU. I, of course, was attracted to IU because of its strong academic reputation and beautiful campus, but I knew that its heritage of research in human sexuality would provide a nourishing environment for my own research and teaching. There are many great research universities, and IU is one of them. However, one distinctive action that separated IU from other universities was its response when over 60 years ago Alfred Kinsey's work was heavily criticized, and outside pressure was exerted upon IU to end his work. Herman B Wells, president at IU then, defended Kinsey by declaring that scientific research will not be compromised! Dr. Wells' support of Alfred Kinsey is heralded as a landmark victory for academic freedom and helped pave the way for sex research at other universities.
 
At IU, I am the senior director and founder of the Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention, professor of applied health science in IU's School of Public Health-Bloomington, senior research fellow at the Kinsey Institute, and affiliated faculty member in the Department of Gender Studies.  
 
I feel blessed that I have had a rewarding career guided by passion and curiosity and that I have been able to help many young persons, through research, teaching, and intervention/curriculum development. My life work will be successful, if young people come to understand, embrace, and appreciate their own sexuality, to learn how to make healthy sexual choices, to integrate and balance sexuality into their lives as a natural health-enhancing component, and to express their sexuality with partners in sharing, non-exploitive ways.
 

2. Pride Day
 
Lindsay Bevilaqua (left), Kim Davis and Tully Bevilaqua
 
 
We hosted our third annual PRIDE Day on February 14 - and helped bring home a victory against Wisconsin securing fourth place in the Big Ten! We gathered for a pre-game luncheon at Cook Hall, where we were welcomed by Kim Davis, GLBTAA director and chair of the event, and IU Women's Basketball Coach Teri Moren. "We feel like we have the best fans in the country, and amongst that fan base is the GLBT community," Moren said in a press release. "We appreciate their support and are so happy they help make up Hoosier Nation. It is a privilege to be a part of a community and university that welcomes anyone from all walks of life."
 
"We thought it would be a good way to recognize - but not to call anybody out - GLBT athletes," Kim Davis observed in a February 12 Indiana Daily Student article. "Knowing that there are GLBT people on the planet and in sports, we just wanted to recognize that and celebrate that." Athletics can sometimes be a difficult environment for LGBTQ people, and Davis said she is proud to lead an event joining the two communities. "As a lesbian I played sports and I was very quiet about it," she said. "Now that people are more comfortable with GLBT issues, let's celebrate one area where we know there are people that matter too."
 
Our special guest speaker was former WNBA Indiana Fever player, Tully Bevilaqua. As a professional athlete, Bevilaqua played for 14 years in the WNBA. In 2005, she signed with the Indiana Fever, and led them to a #2 seed in the playoffs. In 2007, she was awarded the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award from the league.  In the five years she played with the Fever she became, and remains, a true fan favorite.  Bevilaqua, her wife and their two children live in Indianapolis and have been longtime supporters of LGBTQ equality in Indiana. When Bevilaqua retired from professional basketball, she returned to Indiana fulltime and she and her wife Lindsay own and operate "Gym 41" on West 86th St. in Indianapolis. We then walked over to Assembly hall for the 2:00 tip-off.
 
IU alumnae Holly Bales-Hall and Rebecca Keith, former GLBTAA Board secretary, sang wonderfully at the luncheon and then wowed everyone at Assembly Hall with their spirited version of the National Anthem. The afternoon was perfect for a memorable Valentine's Day. The victory, of course, provided additional joy and cause for celebration. The GLBTAA is proud to host this event and show support for IU Athletics, particularly our LGBTQ athletes. This event helps reflect light on IU's welcoming environment where all our students can learn and reach for their aspirations on a level playing field and in a safe environment.
 
Rebecca Keith (left) and Holly Bales-Hall  
 
 


3. Maurer Moot Court Teams
Williams Institute at UCLA
 
  
Two teams of IU law students competed recently in the Williams Institute Moot Court Competition at UCLA, the only national moot court competition devoted to legal issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.  The teams' participation was financially supported by the Maurer School of Law and generous donations by members of the Maurer LGBT Alumni Advisory Board. The competition provides law students the opportunity to write an appellate brief on a current legal topic and to argue before panels of judges. This year's topic presented both statutory and constitutional questions about the permissibility of a presidential executive order requiring federal contractors to engage in an affirmative action plan to improve the representation of LGBT employees in their workplaces.  IUB law students participating this year were Steven Corfman, Katie Cullum, Kristin Riebsomer and Samantha Von Ende; Katie and Sam made it as far as the quarterfinals. You represented IU well, Steven, Katie, Kristin and Sam, and we're very proud! 

4. GLBTAA Scholarship Campaign
   
Please continue to "spread the word" about our ground-breaking Campaign, which will help endow our GLBTAA Scholarship Program. We have so far awarded four academic scholarship for the 2016 spring semester and may still review additional applications. Each recipient will be featured in one of our Newsletters. One is covered in paragraph #5 below. Since 2005, we have granted 67 scholarships (53 academic scholarships and 14 emergency scholarships) to IU students. Because of your generous support, we will be able to continue providing scholarships well into the future.  
     
Shane L. Windmeyer, MS '97, Executive Director and founder of Campus Pride, has commented recently about our Scholarship Program, particularly about our emergency grants: "IU remains one of the best campuses for GLBT support in the country. Crisis assistance funding, for example, is now a new benchmark for the Campus Pride Index, and the GLBTAA emergency scholarship is a great example. IU has definitely raised the bar nationally. I'm proud that IU has been a leader in that. IU has always stood as an institution of higher learning that embraces diversity."
   
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!
5. Academic Scholarship Recipient

 
Congratulations are extended to G. David Caudill, one of our 2016 Spring Academic Scholarship recipients! David began working toward his MPA in Nonprofit Management from the School of Public & Environmental Affairs at IUPUI in 2014, when he was awarded a previous GLBTAA Academic Scholarship. Along with this master's program, he will be receiving a Graduate Certificate in Philanthropic Studies from the Lilly School of Philanthropy, which will complement his previous graduate work from 2011, when David completed his Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management with a focus on Fund Development. In 1996, David earned his BA in Political Science at IU Bloomington. With this degree, he went to work as a public servant, first with the State of Indiana, then the City of Indianapolis, but then had the opportunity to enter the world of professional politics. After years of volunteering for candidates in Indianapolis, he was hired by a political consulting firm in Washington, D.C. where he also became involved with the DC Chapter of the IU Alumni Association. The DC opportunity transitioned into political fundraising work with a variety of campaigns in locations, including Nevada, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Missouri. After helping to raise money for political figures around the country, David decided to transfer the skills he learned from political fundraising to helping nonprofit causes.  He enrolled at IUPUI to commence his graduate work and began volunteering with nonprofits like Footlite Musicals, Indiana Equality, Indy Pride, the Indiana Youth Group and the Indianapolis LGBT Film Fest. David is currently a researcher at the IU Public Policy Institute. Once completed with his graduate studies, David aspires to lead a nonprofit LGBTQ organization in the Indianapolis area with the goal "of advancing the political engagement of the LGBTQ community." His involvement in LGBTQ activities is driven, in part, by his belief that equality for our community can best be accomplished "through increased participation in political activities, specifically by volunteering with or working for political campaigns, or running for office, as well as participating in other political activities where the interests of the LGBTQ community are currently underserved."   We're proud of you, David!
 
6. MBLGTACC Conference

Once again, IU students attended the annual Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally College Conference at Purdue University during the weekend of February 19-21. Our 24 IU students joined over 1,500 other students from around the nation, making this year's MBLGTACC another successful conference. The conference featured nationally-recognized speakers and offered workshops regarding activism, health and wellness, student involvement, queer identities in education, and much more. It also offered the opportunity for students to be immersed - some for the first time - in a group of peers. The theme, "Introspection at the Crossroads" intended to create space for students to practice and share the art of introspection as it relates to intersecting identities, culture and history, as well as the lives of LGBTQ-identified people and allies.
 
The GLBTAA is proud to have financially co-sponsored the IU delegation. We believe this conference is much more than a gathering. It is a unique opportunity for our IU students to form community, share experiences and explore their own identities. Students who have attended the conference in the past have indicated that this experience was "transforming" in terms of their growth and personal development. For a promotional video, please see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apHFhgdRdyA
 
 
7. 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

8. Greg Louganis  
  
Bill Yarber (left), Greg Louganis and Jeanne White Ginder
 
Greg Louganis, widely considered the greatest diver ever, was presented the prestigious Ryan White Distinguished Leadership Award at the inaugural Ryan White and William L. Yarber Lecture on March 1 in the Whittenberger Auditorium. Dr. William L. Yarber, senior director of the IU Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention, and Jeanne White Ginder, Ryan White's mother presented the award in appreciation of Greg's numerous outstanding contributions to HIV/AIDS prevention and for being an exemplary bearer of the standard of excellence and commitment needed to combat HIV/AIDS. At the ceremony, Greg gave a presentation, Overcoming Adversity from an HIV Positive Legend.
 
Greg earned throughout his career five Olympic medals (four gold), five world championships, and 47 national titles. Of these many accomplishments, certainly one of the most remembered moments was when he hit his head on the spring board at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, cutting his scalp and then returning the same day to execute an all-time supreme which lead to a gold medal.
 
Knowing and remembering Greg only for his unsurpassed athletic greatness leaves out a touching and powerful personal story that is an inspiration to all. He struggled with late-detected dyslexia, a troubled childhood, racial prejudice toward his dark skin, anguish over his attraction to men, financial problems, and difficult relationships, all which nearly destroyed him.
 
In 1994, he wrote about his life experiences in his best-selling autobiography, Breaking the Surface, in which he came out as a gay man and publically revealed his HIV-positive status. The publication of this book was a pivotal moment for Greg. Coming out as an HIV-positive gay man in the book began his journey of becoming a truly happy person. In the book, Greg chronicles his meeting of Ryan White. Greg said that Ryan was an inspiration to him and becoming his friend changed his life. In a 2014 HBO Sports documentary, Greg reflects on his extraordinary life.
 
Despite all that Greg faced, he found the inner strength to save himself. He has worked with the Human Rights Campaign and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to advance sexual equality and HIV/AIDS Prevention. Greg is currently mentoring the U.S. Olympic Diving Team. Greg married his partner, Johnny Chaillot, on October 12, 2013. His courage and fortitude are role models to all of us, and because of him, many people, worldwide, have become happy with themselves, leading healthier and fuller lives.
 
 
9. 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 2016 semester is November 15, 2015.

  

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

 

10. 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].



Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Alumni Association | DeVault Alumni Center | 1000 East 17th Street | Bloomington | IN | 47408