Overview
In 1993 a group of ONU students came together to form the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Alliance (GLBA), and sought official recognition as a student club. Despite receiving support from a number of other student groups, the GLBA failed to gain approval from Student Senate. Despite the lack of official recognition, during the next two years GLBA members and student allies, continued to work to raise awareness and advocate on behalf of gay, lesbian, and bisexual students during the next. In 1996 a new gay, lesbian, and bisexual student support group was formed named Open Doors. This time, the students of the new group received enough votes at Student Senate to become an officially recognized student group.
Formation of the GLBA & Seeking Recognition (1993)
- New Gay and Lesbian Group Formed on Campus, Northern Review, February 1, 1993
In early 1993, ONU students founded the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Alliance (GLBA), and began the process of being recognized as an official student group by the university. - GLBA Denied Sanction by Senate, Northern Review, February 15, 1993Weeks after formation, the ONU Student Senate decided to vote against recognizing GLBA by a vote of 15-9. The vote followed an organized anti-GLBA movement on campus and the Student Senate modifying their voting rules in order to "withhold balloting information on the GLBA issue."
ONU - GLBA Student Group Continues to Seek Recognition (WLIO TV) February 22, 1993
GLBA representative - Mark Hunter
- Openly Gay Students Face Harassment and Physical Assaults on Some Campuses, The Chronicle of Higher Education, March 10, 1993After failing to recognize the GLBA, Ohio Northern University is highlighted as one of many higher education where students have faced resistance to trying to improve campus climate for gay and lesbian students.
- New Senate President Offers to Reconsider GLBA Constitution, Northern Review, March 15, 1993In an open letter, the newly elected Student Senate President Stacy Adams, states that the members of the GLBA have "the right to come back to Student Senate for another vote."
Informal Support & Advocacy (1993-1995)
- "The Gay Lesbian Bisexual Association (GLBA) has formed a support group..." classified posting, Northern Review, February 7, 1994Despite not being recognized as an official student group, GLBA members continue to work to support gay, lesbian, and bisexual members of the ONU community by working to put together local support groups.
- Discussions Intended to Foster Gay Awareness, Northern Review, April 18, 1994Members of the GLBA worked to organize campus discussions led by religious leaders with the intention of increasing gay, lesbian, and bisexual awareness at ONU.
- Event Announcement - "On Church and Societal Reactions to Gays and Lesbians," Northern Review, April 19, 1994Announcement for the GLBA sponsored event taking place on April 19, 1994.
- Letter to the Editor - "Hatred Flourishes on Campus," Northern Review, October 24, 1994Recent ONU alum Derrick Strobl addresses his perspective on the "GLBA controversy" at ONU and what should be done for ONU's GLB students.
Open Doors & Official Recognition (1995-1996)
- Homophobia and Homosexuality - ONU's Delicate Coexistence, Northern Review, May 1, 1995
A special two page feature from the Northern Review documenting the formation of ONU's new GLB group, Open Doors, and the overall campus climate towards GLB issues. - Open Doors Seeks RecognitionThree years after GLBA was denied official recognition, the members of Open Doors announce their intent to seek recognition for their group.
- Open Doors - Recognition and Goals
Archived version of a Geocities website that was maintained by Jason Bockis (founding President of Open Doors), listing the organization's goals.