History of Gay Awareness Week at Texas A&M
This week someone asked me for the specifics on the recognition of GLBT persons at A&M and I found the following history statement from an old GLSS (Gay and Lesbian Student Services) pamphlet from 1992. I thought it appropriate to share it once again with the local community to remind and educate others as to why we celebrate Gay Awareness Week during April at A&M. It was started to commemorate the date (April 1, 1985) that the Supreme Court refused to hear the case letting the lower Courts ruling stand in favor of Gay Student Services thus opening the door for GLBT persons at A&M. We often need to remember that everyone does not know this history and so we must tell it again and again because it is OUR history and should not be forgotten.
Have A Great Gay Awareness Week! Be Sure to Participate!
Mike Jackson
On April 4, 1976, three students met with Dr. John Koldus, Vice President of Student Affairs, to ask permission to advertise on the campus the meeting times of a new service group for gays and lesbians. The triumvirate was denied campus advertising access because only officially recognized groups were allowed this privilege.
The next day, an application for recognition was filed, and almost as quickly as it was filed, it was denied, on the ground that the group was not “consistent with the philosophy and goals of TAMU.”
The group hired a lawyer in February 1977 to file a lawsuit against the University. The case was heard in District Court on November 16, 1981, and a decision was rendered in favor of TAMU.
The organization appealed the decision to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, and on August 3, 1984, the court ruled unanimously in favor of the organization, saying that TAMU’s reasons were not sufficient to deny the group its first amendment rights.
In desperation, TAMU filed an appeal to the U. S. Supreme Court with private donations in an attempt to overturn the ruling. However, the Supreme Court refused to hear the case on April 1, 1985. The 5th Circuit Court decision was allowed to stand.
On June 6, 1985, the Gay Student Services was recognized quietly by Texas A&M University.
Courtesy of Mike Jackson