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
Laura Micham (laura.m@duke.edu)
and Damon Seils (damon.seils@duke.edu).
LGBT Task Force members for the 2007-2008 academic year are as follows:
Task Force Members
- Zoila Airall, Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs
for Campus Life
- Pam Brown, Director, Student Services, The Fuqua School
of Business
- Robin Buhrke, Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral
Sciences, Counseling and Psychology Services
- John Clum, Professor of Theater Studies and English
- Lea Cordova, Duke retiree
- Katharine Eggleston, undergraduate, Pratt School of Engineering
- Dan Ellison, alumnus
- Joe Gonzalez, Associate Dean for Residence Life, Division
of Student Affairs
- Melanie Greenman, medical student, School of Medicine
- Daniel Harvey, undergraduate, Trinity College of Arts
& Sciences
- 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 (cochair), Director, Sallie Bingham Center
for Women's History and Culture
- Dave Munden, Evening Reference Librarian and Supervisor,
Lilly Library
- Shankar Mundluru, undergraduate, Trinity College of Arts
& Sciences
- 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, Department
of Athletics
- Mayur Tapale, graduate student, The Fuqua School of Business
- Bliss Temple, medical student, School of Medicine
- Beck Tench, Webmaster, Pratt School of Engineering
- Ara Wilson, 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"
