Gay & Lesbian
Principians
Gay and Lesbian Principians is a group of gay, lesbian and bisexual alumni of Principia College and/or Upper School and relatives/partners and friends who are straight and supportive of the mission of the group. The group is formed to be a visible representation of the gay, lesbian and bisexual alumni of Principia. We communicate with and serve as a general resource for alumni, staff and students and the public who need information on issues related to homosexuality and bisexuality. We believe that Principia College and Upper School are strengthened by the presence of gay and lesbian Christian Scientists.
In 1993 we (the Gay and Lesbian Principians Group) held our
first meeting as a result of a list of alumni put together by Chandler Burr,
US‘82 C‘86. I (David White) still remember getting the call from
Chandler asking if I wanted to be part of the group! The first meeting was held during the March on Washington weekend in April in Washington,
DC. Alumni
from Seattle, Kansas City, Denver, New York, and other cities came for the get
together. It was a great time.
During this first year of our group, many of us wrote a letter to the Principia administration that described our feelings about having been a closeted gay/lesbian student. We think it is time to write a new letter that speaks both to our experience at Principia as students and as alumni now.
Since 1993, we have held several meetings with Dawn Larmer (former chairperson), Michael Sharples (current chairman) and George Moffett (current president). These meetings have been both productive and frustrating for many of us. All of these meetings were organized by gay or lesbian alumni who wanted to open up the dialogue with the Principia administration. I am personally grateful to all of our members who courageously took the bull by the horns and went to these meetings. These were not easy and often did not produce any significant difference in the way gay and lesbian students, faculty, staff or alumni are viewed.
Also since 1993, we have also
been asked by Principia to: 1) not use the Principia "logo" on our
publications; and 2) refrain for formally meeting on campus property. Additionally,
the Alumni Directory still does not list "domestic partners" of
alumni, nor will they publish photographs of gay/lesbian alumni activities. They will
edit letters to the editor that contain gay/lesbian subject matter. Additionally,
the Alumni Office will not accept registrations of gay or lesbian couples during
alumni weekends.
Gay and Lesbian discrimination is
still pervasive at Principia. The Principia policy and practice of not
admitting students or hiring faculty who are "out" and dismissing
openly gay/lesbian students, faculty and staff continues.
In addition to meeting with administrators, we have written "coming out" letters to former professors and
administrators, protested alumni publication censorship and rebuffed repeated
requests for financial contributions.
----David White
Note: Principia College is located in Elsah, Illinois. Principia Upper School is located in St. Louis, Missouri.
e-mail: GLPrincipians