Introduction

Background, Purpose & Context

Board of Directors agreed to explore

ways of fully funding the Campus Pro 

In the spring of 1993, the National Gay

ject.

and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) reded 

icated itself to addressing the issues and

As part of this exploration, the Board

concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual and

authorized a study to determine how

transgender (lgbt) people on America s

NGLTF could be of assistance to organiz 

college and university campuses.

ing efforts on college and university cam 

Although the Campus Project was

puses.  Telephone interviews and campus

launched by Kevin Berrill (to whom this

visits with lgbt students, faculty and staff

manual is dedicated) in 1987, limited

from dozens of institutions across the

resources prevented the organization

country revealed a consistently low level

from fully funding or fully staffing the

of functioning on the part of most lgbt

program.  Between 1991 with Berrill s

campus organizations.  This research

retirement from NGLTF and 1993, the

revealed that student groups in particular

Campus Project was maintained by a

were rarely engaged in efforts to bring

corps of dedicated volunteers.  Realizing

lgbt subject matter into the curriculum.

that the demand for support and assis 

They were not strategizing for domestic

tance from campus activists was over 

partner health benefits.  They were not

whelming the capacity of NGLTF to

marshaling resources to end ROTC dis 

respond, and recognizing the organiza 

crimination.  Nor were they participating

tion s responsibility to young people

effectively in efforts to defend lgbt com 

within the lgbt movement, as well as the

munities from attacks from the radical

historical role of campus activism in

right.

social change movements, the NGLTF

DEDICATION

To Kevin Berrill, the pioneering activist who, as a staff member of NGLTF from 1980 to 1990,

brought the serious issue of anti LGBT violence to the attention of our community and of the

country at large.  It was through Kevin's pathfinding work that he began to interact with student,

faculty and staff organizers and activists, who sought his assistance in dealing with harassment and

violence on college and university campuses.  Thus was born NGLTF's Campus Project.

Although he has moved on to other pursuits, Kevin's influence can be detected on every page of

this manual.  We are grateful for his inspiration, wisdom and friendship.

And to the brave lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender campus activists who are trans 

forming colleges and universities all across the country.

I n t r o d u c t i o n     M     i