A new alumni council for the LGBTQ community was formed by the University of Mississippi Alumni Association Executive Committee on April 10.
The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Questioning Alumni and Friends Council is one of only three of its kind in the Southeastern Conference, according to Chancellor Dan Jones.
“Members of our LGBTQ community recently requested from our alumni association an opportunity to form a new affinity group for LGTBQ alumni, just as we have a black alumni group, as a symbol that the association is intentional about welcoming them,” Jones said regarding the formation of the council.
Tim Walsh, executive director of Alumni Affairs, said that when he was approached with the idea, he immediately felt it was the right time to form the council since the LGBTQ is another segment of the population that needed a formal structure to help members feel welcome on campus.
Jones was pleased by the “rapid, positive response” from the alumni board of directors.
University Director of Public Relations Danny Blanton released a statement about the formation of the new council.
“The University of Mississippi has a very diverse alumni, and we are committed to celebrating the differences of our university community and to fostering an environment of inclusivity, civility and respect,” the statement read. “The formation of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Questioning Alumni and Friends Council by the university’s Alumni Association Executive Committee is a reflection of that commitment to inclusivity and an atmosphere of tolerance.”
The “commitment to inclusivity and an atmosphere of tolerance” Blanton refers to is felt by gay alumnus Tread Strickland. Strickland recently visited campus with his husband with apprehension of how they would be greeted because of their sexual orientation and marital status.
“I had read the national news about the incident at the Matthew Shepherd play and also the recent approval by the legislature of the Religious Protection bill,” Strickland said.
“Everyone we met seemed determined to face the problems in a way that I am not sure much of Mississippi is willing to do.”
Jones sympathized with this sentiment when he said that the formation of this group is a sign of a healthy community.
“I see positive signs that there is a great leadership and people that want to have a civil conversation about making progress,” Jones said.
Strickland felt that the formation of the alumni council “made it clear that we are not alone.”
“I feel so proud that there are alumni like myself who want to help make life better for not only gay students at Ole Miss, but also all students who might feel afraid of being themselves for fear of disapproval,” Strickland said.
Although this society was originally intended for alumni, their long-term goal includes targeting students as well. Walsh recognizes that no future plans are definite because the society is new and still forming.
“We are still in the process of getting alumni to identify and register with the group,” Walsh said.
However, Walsh said that the council intends to aid in the student recruitment and student mentoring processes.
Walsh hopes that a more short-term goal of the LGBTQ Alumni and Friends Council could be to help make the Lavender Graduation Ceremony, recognizing graduating LGBTQ students, a success next year.
Strickland said he hopes the council can one day provide “support in a financial and mentoring way to make Ole Miss as wonderful as it can possibly be.”
Alumni and friends or graduating students who wish to be a part of the group can email Tim Walsh at tim@olemiss.edu.
