GLBT Aggies
Encyclopedia
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Aggies (GLBTA) is an officially recognized student group at Texas A&M University
. Originally known as Gay Student Services (GSS), the organization was officially recognized by Texas A&M University in 1985 after a lengthy court battle.
. At the conclusion of the litigation, GSS was recognized as an official student organization by legal decision in April 1985. Over the years, the name of the organization has evolved to be more inclusive. Today the GLBTA is an organization for queer people and straight allies alike where anyone is welcome to join regardless of how they identify.
the GLBTA partnered with Atticus Circle
to bring the Fine By Me
t-shirt project to the Texas A&M campus. Each year, the GLBTA was able to fundraise enough money to give away 1,000 t-shirts bearing the phrase "gay? fine by me."
. The organization has also occasionally set up a table in Academic Plaza, where they distribute information on upcoming activities.
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
. Originally known as Gay Student Services (GSS), the organization was officially recognized by Texas A&M University in 1985 after a lengthy court battle.
History
In the spring semester of 1976, a group of Texas A&M students organized a gay support group. In April of that year Michael Minton, Michael Garrett, and Sherri Skinner approached John Koldus, the Texas A&M Vice President for Student Affairs, and requested limited recognition for an organization to support gay issues. The students did not want full university recognition, which included partial funding from student fees as well as official office space in the Student Programs Office, because several of their members wished to be discreet about their sexual orientation. Instead, the group requested only meeting space on campus and the right to post notices on school bulletin boards and in the student newspaper. Koldus informed the students that the university did not offer limited recognition, and that to gain the access they had asked for the students must apply for full official status. What followed was the lengthy court battle Gay Student Services v. Texas A&M UniversityGay Student Services v. Texas A&M University
Gay Student Services v. Texas A&M University, 737 F. 2d 1317 is a court case in which the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held that the First Amendment required public universities to recognize student organizations aimed at gay students...
. At the conclusion of the litigation, GSS was recognized as an official student organization by legal decision in April 1985. Over the years, the name of the organization has evolved to be more inclusive. Today the GLBTA is an organization for queer people and straight allies alike where anyone is welcome to join regardless of how they identify.
Organization
The GLBTA is led by an executive council of democratically elected members. Elections are held at the end of the academic year, with special elections held for vacant seats during the academic year as needed. Elected positions include: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, Social Chair, and Webmaster. The GLBTA also has a seat on the Graduate Student Council. This position is appointed by the elected officers of the GLBTA. These leaders make up the voting members of the Executive Council, and it is their responsibility to establish programming, set policy, and guide the organization to better serve its members. The organization also has up to two advisors who hold non-voting seats on the executive committee. The Advisors are selected by the elected leaders of the GLBTA each year.Campus Activities
General Meetings
The GLBTA hosts weekly meetings that provide an opportunity for members to socialize, learn about the history and current issues affecting members of the GLBT community, and organize outreach efforts within the Bryan-College Station area."gay? fine by me."
In April of 2010 and 2011 on the National Day of SilenceDay of Silence
The Day of Silence is the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network's annual day of action to protest the bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students and their supporters...
the GLBTA partnered with Atticus Circle
Atticus Circle
Atticus Circle is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to educate and mobilize fair-minded straight people to advance equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender partners, parents and their children....
to bring the Fine By Me
Fine By Me
Fine By Me is an organization in the United States with the mission to give voice to friends and supporters of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people...
t-shirt project to the Texas A&M campus. Each year, the GLBTA was able to fundraise enough money to give away 1,000 t-shirts bearing the phrase "gay? fine by me."
Community Outreach
The GLBTA has participated in many activities designed to engage and educate citizens of the broader Bryan-College Station area about the GLBT community. The GLBTA has officially participated in MSC Open House, The Big Event, and the Day of SilenceDay of Silence
The Day of Silence is the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network's annual day of action to protest the bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students and their supporters...
. The organization has also occasionally set up a table in Academic Plaza, where they distribute information on upcoming activities.