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Shane Young Suzanne Levinson Left; May 27th’s Desperately Seeking Unity rally in the Park Blocks attracted much interest at PSU. Right: Many PSGV efforts against the LGBA encountered resistance from LGBA members. LGBA gains student support of PSCA opposition Creating a visible and incessant presence on campus was the main thrust of the Lesbian, Cay, Bisexual Alliance's efforts this past year. How­ ever, the LGBA didn't have to try very hard to win our attention, thanks to the Portland State Conservative Alliance's attempts to thwart the endeav­ ors of PSU's sole gay support group and resource center. "It's been a really hard year for gays and lesbians in Oregon, because we've been under attack," said Nancy Parr, LGBA coordinator for 1991- 92. "We've been put on the defensive," she added. The gay community waited with bated breath in May as the Oregon Citizen's Alliance's No Special Rights Committee attempted to place its anti-gay rights measure on the May 19 ballot. The OCA sought to overturn a city ordinance that banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orienta­ tion. However the immediate relief that the gay community felt from the OCA's failure in May has been supplanted by a sense of frustration with the exigencies created by a similar statewide OCA proposal to be voted on in November 1992. But despite its ongoing frustrations the LGBA continued to offer social, emotional and academic support and activities to the gay community and its supporters on campus. The preeminent service the alliance offered was its weekly lunch/meetings. Almost 60 women and men came to these meetings to discuss gay issues and problems, meet new friends, plan events for campus education and visibility. Conferences and workshops were also planned at these meetings. "The meetings are the only place on campus which deal only with is­ sues specific to the LGBA," Parr said. The alliance provides information about organizations pertinent to the gay community and acts as a network to the following groups: the Phoenix Rising Foundation, the American Civil Liberties Union commis­ sion on Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Rights, the Lesbian Community pro­ ject, the Human Rights Campaign Fund's Lesbian Issues and Outreach Program and the Gay and Lesbian Helpline of the Lavender Network. The LGBA also helps to promote diversity through co-sponsorship and alliances with other student groups such as the Black Cultural Affairs Board, the United Indian Students of Higher Education, the Hispanic Stu­ dent Union, the Disabled Student Union and the Women's Union. At the beginning of the year the alliance along with other minority groups, worked closely with President Judith A. Ramaley's office, to come up with PSU's Unity Statement. The creation and endorsement of the statement in January was initiated in response to incidents of bigotry and discrimination both on campus and in the community, especially by PSCA petitioners on campus. According to President Ramaley the State­ ment of Unity will serve as a starting point for creating a supportive uni­ versity environment for everyone. In February, Parr filed a discrimination affirmative action suit against the PSCA because they refused her membership because of her sexual ori­ entation. Because of the suit, membership criteria in student groups' con­ stitutions were thoroughly scrutinized by the university for discriminatory language and in many instances reworded. The LGBA also worked closely with "Students for Unity" this past year, Parr said. "It's really great how different students got together. Collective­ ly, we have more power," she said. One of the fruits of this type of joint venture was the "Desperately Seeking Unity" rally held in May in the south Park Blocks. The unity day celebration was in response to the PSCA's bulletin boards against homo­ sexuals and also to the Rodney King verdict in Los Angeles. Approximate­ ly 450 people showed up at the soul-lifting rally. The LGBA's adviser, Gwen J. Jagernauth said she thought the alliance has helped to increase awareness of sexual orientation issues on campus. "Because of the alliance's efforts I've seen more acceptance from stu­ dents and have seen students question their own biases and stereotypes," Jagernauth said. Parr said she was satisfied with what the alliance had accomplished in the past year, which included the procurement of office space on the fourth floor of Smith Memorial Center in March. But she feels the universi­ ty could do more. "I think the university is at a loss about what to do with our group," Parr said. Something that does need to happen is sensitivity training for faculty, staff and students, Parr suggested. "I think people's hearts are in the right place, but they have not been given the proper training," Parr said. Highlighting the contributions of lesbians gays and bisexuals and mak­ ing heterosexual people realize that not everyone is straight will be the mainstay of the group's efforts in the future, Parr said. —Zurain Imam 98