New Object

The Campus Closet: _

Coming Out at Haverford

ln 1993 and 1994, a number of Haverford alumni came together on campus to form the Lambda Alumn!
Network. Our experiences as gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) men and women at
Haverford were all different. We were at Haverford in different decades. And we had different reaso 3
for wanting to form a group for GLBT alumni — some wanting to come to terms with a fundamental ti
of their lives that was not part of their Haverford experience, some wanting to meet other alumni, 4
wanting to be a resource for GLBT individuals currently at the college. ee
Largely through word of mouth and symposia during the annual Alumni Weekend, our mailing a
has grown to 150 members. Through my involvement with Lambda, | have been fortunate to talk wat
many of these folks and to hear their stories. Below you will find several of these personal De
Each is different, but there are some important common elements. Despite whatever frustrations
Lambda members have felt towards Haverford, most seem to believe strongly in the promise the col-

. ivated by
lege holds for a meaningful, broad education. In each Story, | clearly see the core values cultivate
the Haverford experience.

Perhaps more significantly,

’y Michael Gluck 82 3 “community” we value at Hav
(or maybe presumed) homoge

ence, however important, can



WALTER CALAHAN



eee ar of
these histories illustrate the difficulties that accompany that sense :
. - ‘ C
erford. In a very quiet, Quakerly way, Community can entail an ene)
neity; when you choose to operate on the basis of consensus, differ-

stand in the way of getting things done. Haverford is basically a “90
along to get along” kind of place. While we learned to have respect for the individual, we at times

internalized a certain conformity as well.
What else do these stories tell us? Certainly politically and morally Haverford men and women have
come to accept the minorities among them and believe them to be equals — even to possess cultures
worthy of intellectual endeavor. But it is Clearly asking a great deal of an 18- to 22-year-old woman 0!
man to identify herself as different in a small place like Haverford —to be visible in a place where few
are. It takes a lot of self-confidence, and there are few role models. Perhaps the biggest fear for a of
us who struggled with this issue at Haverford was the fear of being reduced to our sexual orientation.

We were budding scientists, historians, or physicians; we played sports; we did volunteer work; we
Were involved in student government. But in being “ou



t" perhaps we would only be known as “gay: ‘
: few folks do come out publicly. A few others are quietly open to close friends. But most seemed to

Those interested in learning more : have chosen to leave Haverford before exploring their sexuality.
about Lambda, no matter what your 3 In forming Lambda, we have Sought to make Haverford a bit better at delivering on its promise of
ideal are encouraged to join the 3 what it should be. For students who already know their sexual or gender orientation, and for students
tian lst. The extent of Lambda's who are Seeking to experiment and develop emotionally as well as intellectually, we hope to help them
iii eam 10 year, but at ' feela partofa community, on- or off-campus, that includes them, We strive to make it easier for stu-
nul Boones it each pring’ thom : dents to do some of this important exploration in an environment that is as supportive as Haverford icf

. : Possibly be. | hope the increased visibility achieved by these stories make a small contribution towar
ni Weekend and a Haverford reception that goal
im New York each June in conjunction : The — for this collection was a fun ‘56 (page
with Gay Pride. Members have pro- : . ; os pe a aEI BIST oe ni vames ee ° r-
Dizred a cosas directory of Lambda : Jim passed oy att past year, but not before leaving a brief reminiscence of his time at Have ei
members for students and other Horn. : ord. 'srael Burshatin, William R. Kenan. Jr Professor of Spanish and Comparative Literature, remin
nt to use for networking. For more : US of its existence and |

information, contact the Alumni
Office (610-896-1004) or the group’ } Memory, iti
current chair, Theo Posselt 94 , gay OF straight, enjoy the insights of these recollections offer,
(510-891-9776; tposselt@dttus. com). : if not find some resonance with their own experiences at the College.

Michael E. Gluck Ph, D. is

a health policy analyst who does
National Academy of Socia

l Insurance in Washington, DC.

research on Medicare at the nonpartisan

ae

HAVERFORD ALUMNI MAGAZINE