Date: Thu, 06 Oct 94 10:40 PDT From: "Meredith K. Lyon 53960" This message from the UCLA Chancellor is being printed in the campus paper today. He has been quite suportive of our efforts on campus. -meredith -------------------------TEXT-OF-FORWARDED-MAIL-------------------------------- Subject: FW: FYI - Message from the Chancellor for release 10/6/94 re: NCOD Date: Thu, 06 Oct 94 08:52:00 PDT MESSAGE FROM UCLA CHANCELLOR CHARLES E. YOUNG As one of the country's most diverse institutions of higher education, UCLA has made a special effort over the past decade to recognize and cultivate the value of diversity on campus. Our commitment has gone beyond ethnic, gender, geographical and cultural diversity, however, to include sensitivity to the needs of people of every sexual orientation. In commemoration of National Coming Out Day, celebrated annually October 11, UCLA will host a number of oncampus activities to promote the visibility of UCLA's gay, lesbian and bisexual community. The weeklong slate of activities, which are scheduled to take place October 814, are organized by the many lesbian, gay and bisexual students, faculty, staff and alumni organizations that make up UCLA's diverse community. The National Coming Out Day (NCOD) campaign is a nonprofit educational project aimed at producing proactive events to issue a call to action on behalf of the lesbian, gay and bisexual community, while inspiring individuals to come out. The campaign coordinates "coming out" events in 50 states. The planned UCLA Coming Out Week activities encompass all categories of the lives of gays, lesbians and bisexuals at UCLA, from social and athletic events intended to break down the usual stereotypes held of this community, to cultural events featuring performances and films portraying gays and lesbians in a more positive light. These events intersect with UCLA's goal to provide the broadest possible education in all academic disciplines appropriate to a university of its caliber. UCLA has long maintained a nondiscrimination policy and is committed to providing a challenging learning environment for all its students, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status or sexual orientation. In the past several years, the university has taken the following measures to eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation and help foster an understanding of the experiences and contributions of gays, lesbians and bisexuals: * I have long argued strongly against the military's and ROTC's policy of discrimination against gays, lesbians and bisexuals and have repeatedly urged the Department of Defense to change its policy, including writing letters to former Secretary Cheney and Secretary Perry. In the areas of ROTC over which it has control, UCLA is committed to a policy of non discrimination. Classes in the ROTC program are open to all students and no one is excluded because of sexual orientation. No UCLA credit will be given for classes that discriminate against any student. UCLA also has a standard code of conduct, which is to be observed by all faculty and staff, that fosters a respectful, understanding environment for the members of its community. * In 1990, UCLA established the Lesbian/Gay Faculty/Staff Network to strengthen the campus gay, lesbian and bisexual communities by providing hospitality and representation to all UCLA faculty and staff. The network supports and promotes the interests and concerns of lesbian, gay and bisexual members of the UCLA community. * I established the Chancellor's Advisory Committee on the Gay and Lesbian Community (CACGLC) at UCLA. The CACGLC, made up of UCLA students, faculty, staff, alumni and community volunteers, works with university decisionmakers to address issues of concern to the gay and lesbian community. * In 1989, I supported the establishment of Lambda Alumni to support and promote the interest of the University of California and its alumni, with a focus on issues specific to lesbians and gay men. Lambda Alumni holds social events throughout the year, participates in Pride Festivals and presents annual scholarships and awards. * I have recently appointed a faculty member to coordinate the development of a gay and lesbian studies curriculum at UCLA. * UCLA has approved a staff position for a resource person to serve as a facilitator in addressing the needs of the UCLA gay and lesbian community, and to link the gay and lesbian community on campus with other campus organizations, activities and external communities. * I have proposed to the University of California a domestic partnership benefits program, which would include domestic partners in the University of California benefits plans on the same basis as spouses of employees. The proposal calls for the University Benefit Program to extend its benefits to same and opposite sex domestic partners who meet the definition of a reasonable "partners" relationship. * The university has recently begun distributing "Love Sees No Gender," a UCLA brochure listing the various campus and community resources serving the gay, lesbian and bisexual community of Los Angeles. UCLA will continue to support the many diverse groups that make up this great university, and welcomes all of you to share in the celebration of the many accomplishments of the gay, lesbian and bisexual community.