Today, the University of Oregon has been recognized nationally as one of the Top 25 LGBT-friendly campuses in the United States and was most recently recognized as one of the Top 10 Trans-Friendly Colleges and Universities in the nation. Some of the reasons for this recognition include the LGBT Education and Support Services Program, the Standing Committee on LGBT Concerns, the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies (which houses a Queer Studies minor), and a vibrant and active LGBTQA student group.
In spite of these advances, hatred, intolerance, and homophobic actions toward LGBT individuals still occur on campus today. On February 1, 2010, the LGBTQA student union office was vandalized. While this was a frightening and disheartening event for many on campus, the entire university community rallied together to say: “An Attack on One is an Attack on All.” Along with posters across campus, a student-led rally also brought a supportive community together to recognize the need to address homophobia and prejudice in general.
Members of the UO’s LGBT community have always been innovative and pioneering agents of change. We are proud of our history and intend to carry on this rich tradition of creating inventive, positive change. We will continue to push for inclusivity, equity, and community, and, most important, for the right to express every aspect of our whole, authentic selves.
