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LEXINGTON GAY/LESBIAN SERVICES ORGANIZATION. P.0. BOX 111171, LEXINGTON, KY 1:0575
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PREJUDICE REDUCTION PROGRAM FLOUNDERS AT UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Despite a dark cloud looming over the month earlier at the direction of President
basketball program, Dr. David Roselle's Roselle. Nonetheless, they both displayed a
presidency is bringing new vitality and lack of sensitivity on the gay and lesbian
direction to the University of Kentucky. issues which were covered. Their remarks
Another cloud has appeared which will receive and actions at the "Principles of Leadership“
less public attention than the current NCAA workshop have been reported to the Human
investigation . _ Resources Development division and to
A "Prejudice Reduction Committee" was members of the "Prejudice Reduction
formed this spring to investigate perceived Committee."
discrimination at the University, and to GLSO knows these are not isolated
identify ways to reduce prejudice on campus. incidents. We heard a rumor of a UK
The committee was appointed after the uproar employee being terminated because of sexual
caused by Trustee Happy Chandler's use of orientation within the past few months. From
the word "nigger" at an administrative stories we hear about gay bashing on campus,
meeting. we know these incidents have been increasing
UK sponsored a "Prejudice Reduction in the last two years. Despite regular
Workshop" during October because of the appearances at UK classes by GLSO's Speakers
committee's work. Members of the UK Bureau, we learn of verbal harassment by
administration and the Division of Human faculty and staff. Anti-gay jokes and AIDS
Resources were required to attend. The jokes abound. The "Prejudice Reduction
"Prejudice Reduction Committee" is considering Committee" needs facts about the prevalence of
homophobia, but its focus is primarily on homophobia at UK. The committee cannot hope
racial and sexual prejudice. Nonetheless, gay to address problems gay men and lesbians
and lesbian issues were discussed at length encounter at UK if it is not provided with
during the October workshop. accurate information about homophobia on
In November, Human Resources staff campus. GLSO will serve as your conduit to
conducted the annual “Principles of provide anonymous information.
Leadership" workshop. Attended by 16 to 18 We ask faculty, staff, students and
managers representing a cross section of the alumni to send us letters detailing their UK
Lexington campus, the intense two-week experience. Do NOT include your name,
program focused on administering UK address, or any identifying details, but be as
personnel policies and improving management specific as you can about your personal
techniques. knowledge of prejudice against homosexuals at
At the morning session on November 15, UK. GLSO will not pass on any material which
group leader Marsha Collins of Human we suspect may allow the writer to be
Resources Development discussed an identified unless specific, written permission
anticipated policy for employees with AIDS. from the author accompanies the letter. We
She referred to gays as “those people who act will then compile the responses and forward
funny," with limp wrists flying to illustrate them to the "Prejudice Reduction Committee.“
her point. This idea is similar to the Congressional "Hate
Dr. Jack Blanton, Vice President for Crimes Bill" we've reported in previous issues.
Administration, addressed the workshop two The University will not act on rumors or
days later on delegating authority. To make a speculation, so we need to quantify the
point he told how parking attendants are problem to create credibility. Complaints have
abused by being called names ranging from already been filed on Ms. Collins and Dr.
"faggots to gestapo." .Blanton. We'll go to bat for you, too, if
Ms. Collins and Dr. Blanton had both you‘ll take the time to write us about your
attended the "Prejudice Reduction Workshop" a anti-gay experiences at UK.
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