CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
The all-female Spelman College, one of the premier historically black colleges in the U.S., has been a part of gay history since its establishment in 1881. Sophia B. Packard and Harriet E. Giles, who were believed to be longtime partners, established the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, which eventually evolved into Spelman. A century later the college became the first historically black school to offer a women's studies major, and in 1983 it became the first such institution with an LGBT center. Now Spelman is in the forefront of expanding LGBT acceptance at historically black colleges and universities with its first Facilitating Campus Climates of Pluralism, Inclusivity, and Progressive Change at HBCUs conference, at which leaders from nine schools will discuss race, gender, and sexual orientation.
While Spelman women's studies professor Beverly Guy Sheftall says her college is not an anomaly in welcoming and nurturing LGBT students, she acknowledged that the treatment of gays varies widely at the 105 historically black institutions of higher education in the U.S.
"A lot of alumni who were at our colleges expressed feelings of isolation or being ostracized because of their sexual orientation," she says. "Some stayed, some left, some felt unhappy."
She attributes the acceptance found at some colleges versus the isolation or antigay policies at others to many factors, like location, religious affiliation, and even influential alumni who don't necessarily want their schools to progress. Some schools could help their gay students feel more welcome and ready to learn by simply allowing them to form gay campus organizations. Others could go the extra mile by supporting or hiring openly gay faculty members to inspire and mentor students in need of guidance.
On a basic level, Sheftall says many of these colleges could start progress by "moving away from a 'don't ask, don't tell' policy and allowing people to be more open with each other." She also said colleges could do more to address LGBT issues and homophobia, which could lead to a greater discussion on discrimination or inequality.
"When you have intolerance around one 'ism,' you have intolerance around other 'isms,' " Sheftall says. "So I think addressing LGBT issues is good for everyone on the campus. Not just LGBT students, but others who are being marginalized or even bullied."
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
30 Steamy Photos of Folsom Street Fair 2023 Debauchery
October 15 2023 11:06 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
60 Burly Pics from Bearrison Street Fair 2022
October 08 2023 8:30 PM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
Prince William's aversion to spectacle created one — and might spawn a King Harry
March 22 2024 6:24 PM
Outrage after Oklahoma prosecutor declines charges in Nex Benedict bullying death
March 22 2024 5:21 PM
George Santos leaves Republican Party, will run for House seat as independent
March 22 2024 4:07 PM
Catherine, Princess of Wales, announces she has cancer
March 22 2024 2:57 PM
Pride
Yahoo FeedProhibition Wellness & revolutionizing self-care for all
March 22 2024 1:19 PM
Biden sacrifices LGBTQ+ Pride flags at U.S. embassies to pass 'critical' spending bill
March 22 2024 12:37 PM
Tennessee bill would permit anti-LGBTQ+ foster and adoptee parents
March 22 2024 11:54 AM
Plus
Yahoo Feed8 dating tips for gay men from a gay psychotherapist
March 22 2024 11:51 AM
Trans woman assailed during Kanye West's Rolling Loud set beats back 'bullies' (exclusive)
March 22 2024 11:34 AM
Out Congress members outraged as anti-LGBTQ+ bills advance
March 21 2024 6:59 PM
RuPaul shades 'masculine white gay men' who project 'internalized homophobia'
March 21 2024 5:43 PM
Alabama forces universities to implement trans bathroom ban while outlawing DEI
March 21 2024 3:55 PM
'Cruel' Nebraska senator investigated after using colleague's name in a rape scene
March 21 2024 3:51 PM
Police arrest Russian nightclub employees over drag show
March 21 2024 2:24 PM
Pride
Yahoo FeedUnleash your fiery spirit with The Pride Store’s Aries gift guide
March 21 2024 2:08 PM
Cable news coverage of 2023 anti-trans bills lacked trans voices: Media Matters
March 21 2024 12:45 PM