The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder announced the winners of its second annual Ally of the Year Awards, presented to campus activists and allies who advocate for the GLBT community.
According to Beverly Tuel, director of the center, a second "Ally of the Year" award was presented this year because of the number of outstanding nominations.
The winners were chosen in a selection process that included a demonstrated commitment to the eradication of homophobic hate and active support for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities on the Boulder campus.
The awards were announced at the annual Ally Gay-la Awards Event, held Jan. 25 at the University Memorial Center and attended by approximately 75 people.
Tuel said the event provided a forum for honoring the awardees and discussing relevant issues facing the GLBT community today.
"GLBT people have made much progress in the past decade, although much work still needs to be done," Tuel said. "We cannot make strides without the support of our non-gay allies. Honoring these allies was the purpose of this event."
Recipients of the four awards include:
脽 Ally of the Year--Suzy Campbell, associate director of Residential Education in the department of Housing, and Elisia Facio, professor of ethnic studies.
Campbell was cited for her leadership in creating an atmosphere among residence life staff of mutual respect for all people. She was praised for her compassion for people targeted in bias-motivated incidents, for ending biased behavior and for creating a welcoming environment for gay employees on her staff.
Facio was cited for integrating Chicana lesbian epistemology in her curriculum, and making examination of heterosexism central to her research and teaching. She also helps Chicano/Chicana people to come out within Chicano communities and in the larger culture.
脽 Department Ally of the Year--Counseling & Psychological Services: A Multicultural Center. The staff at the center was recognized for its long-standing commitment to GLBT communities. The center initiated a LesBiGay noon hour discussion series in 1990, coordinated campus response to Amendment 2 passage and started a Welcome Luncheon for the GLBT community that has grown from 24 participants in 1993 to 150 last fall. The Counseling Center also co-sponsors the GLBT mentoring program with the GLBT Resource Center.
脽 Unsung Hero Award--Susan Schmidt, CU alum and executive director of the Association of Teachers of Japanese, in the department of East Asian Language and Civilizations. Schmidt is treasurer of the Lesbian, Bisexual, and Gay Alumni Association at CU, organizes its fundraisers and coordinates its tent at Denver's Pride Day celebration. Schmidt was described as selfless, thorough and effective, generous and always willing to work without the expectation of recognition.
脽 LesBiGayTrans Person of the Year--Bud Coleman, associate professor, department of Theatre and Dance. Coleman became involved in GLBT activism as an untenured professor. Now as a tenured professor he is acting chair of the LGBT Certificate Program and the faculty associate for the GLBT Resource Center. Coleman teaches courses in LGBT studies and is a member of the Chancellor's Standing Committee on GLBT issues. He is an important participant in the Boulder Faculty Assembly's minority issues committee and is the university faculty council GLBT issues committee representative. He has been active in Boulder programs including Open Door Fund, BCAP and PFLAG, and was awarded the CU-Boulder Equity and Excellence Diversity award last year.
The GLBT Resource Center provides information, referral services, programming and advocacy for the GLBT communities at CU-Boulder. For more information, call the center at (303) 492-1377 or visit the Web site at .