June is LGBTQ month. Our department celebrates with pride the many contributions of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer faculty, staff and learners. We miss the opportunity to celebrate in public, with parades and social gatherings; however, this month there is an extra reason for celebration. The Supreme Court of the United States recently affirmed the civil rights of LGBTQ persons under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This decision means that the civil rights protections related to sex also apply to the LGBTQ community. While our society has become objectively more open to and inclusive of LGBTQ persons, much work remains. Here I am writing to declare our department’s commitment to continue the work of becoming a more welcoming and progressive home for our LGBTQ employees. We are a better place because of our LGBTQ colleagues. Please join me in celebrating their successes and contributions.
-Mark
