Duke University LGBT Task Force

Find resources on equity, equal opportunity, and harassment by visiting the Office for Institutional Equity Web site.

 

Find Duke LGBT resources by visiting the Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Life web site.

Our Mission

Established in 1991 by President H. Keith H. Brodie, the Duke LGBT Task Force makes ongoing assessments of attitudes and conditions throughout the University regarding gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons and issues.

The LGBT Task Force also makes recommendations for changes and seeks implementation of these recommendations on issues such as (1) the University-wide environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students, staff, and faculty; (2) appropriate supportive services for such students, staff, and faculty; (3) educational programs for the entire University community; (4) other matters affecting the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community members at Duke.

For more information about the Duke LGBT Task Force, please contact cochairs Robin Buhrke (robin.buhrke@duke.edu) and Damon Seils (damon.seils@duke.edu). Current members of the LGBT Task Force are as follows:

Task Force Members

• Zoila Airall, Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs for Campus Life
• Leslie Barnes, Director, Student-Athlete Development, Department of Athletics
• John Brion, Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing
• Pam Brown, Director, Student Services, The Fuqua School of Business
• Robin Buhrke (cochair), Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Senior Coordinator of Research and Liaison for LGBT Services, Counseling and Psychology Services
• Lea Cordova, Duke retiree
• Dan Ellison, Duke alumnus
• Mary McClintock Fulkerson, Professor of Theology
• Joe Gonzalez, Associate Dean for Residence Life
• Sam Hull, Director, Alumni Communications, Alumni Affairs
• Janie Long, Director, Center for LGBT Life
• Diane Meglin, Clinical Social Worker and Medical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
• Laura Micham, Director, Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture
• Dave Munden, Evening Reference Librarian and Supervisor, Lilly Library
• Chris Purcell, Program Coordinator, Center for LGBT Life
• Sara-Jane Raines, Police Captain, Duke University Police Department
• Damon Seils (cochair), Senior Research Analyst, Duke Clinical Research Institute
• Jacki Silar, Associate Athletics Director and Senior Women's Administrator, Department of Athletics
• Antonio Viego, Associate Professor of Literature; Director, Program in Latino/a Studies in the Global South
• Ara Wilson, Associate Professor of Women's Studies and Cultural Anthropology; Director, Program in the Study of Sexualities

Milestones

• 1989: Board of Trustees adds "sexual preference" to the nondiscrimination policy
• 1991: President Brodie establishes the Task Force on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Matters (later amended to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender)
• 1994: Duke extends "same-sex spousal equivalent" (domestic partner) benefits to employees
• 1996: Arts and Sciences Council approves Program in the Study of Sexualities
• 1996: Duke hosts NC Gay Pride Celebration
• 1996: Center for LGBT Life staffed with half-time director, moved to larger headquarters
• 1998: Duke hosts Southeastern Conference for LGBT College Groups
• 1999: Center for LGBT Life staffed with full-time director and assistant director
• 2000: Duke Chapel allows same-sex union ceremonies
• 2001: President Keohane endorses the SAFE program
• 2004: Center for LGBT Life moved to new area that doubles its space
• 2007: Board of Trustees adds "gender identity" to the nondiscrimination policy and changes "sexual preference" to "sexual orientation"

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