BGLTSA Elects Officers

On the eve of Queer Harvard Month, the College's Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender and Supporters Alliance (BGLTSA) has finally announced its new executive board after a second round of balloting.

Nicole L. Deblosi '99 and Adam A. Sofen '01 were elected co-chairs of the organization. Michelle A. Capasso '01 and Geoff B. Mainland '00 were elected co-vice chairs, and Kathleen M. Douglas '99 was elected treasurer.

The new officers will assume their executive positions in September.

Voting began at a March 15 BGLTSA community meeting and continued for a week via e-mail. Ultimately, around 100 members voted, according to BGLTSA secretary Michael K. Tan '01, whose seat will be up for election this fall.

Only Douglas ran unopposed.

"Most of [the races] were really close," Tan said.

The new election occurred because the current executive board nullified the original voting conducted in early February.

Former vice chair David A. Campbell '00, who was later impeached by the board, had conducted the first round of balloting. Board members criticized Campbell, who is a Crimson editor, for failing to inform them about the voting's progress and for compiling a homogeneous list of candidates.

"The [first] slate wasn't particularly diverse," Tan said.

All five of those selected in the February'sballoting were gay males.

Tan said he is happy with the new board, whichincludes three women.

"It is much more diverse. It will be excitingto work with them," he said.

With the election controversy behind them, newboard members pledged to present a united front.

"I think that a lot of members of the gaycommunity at Harvard--and also straightpeople--are reluctant to get involved in BGLTSA,"said Sofen, who is a Crimson editor. "I hope toget new people involved."

The issue of closeted gays and how to bestreach out to them took center stage as thecandidates addressed more than 30 BGLTSA membersin March.

Although they differed in how to implement theoutreach effort, all candidates agreed that BGLTSAmust be seen by the Harvard community as aninclusive organization.

Capasso said the group's many affiliatedorganizations could help fulfill that goal.

"Smaller organizations cater more toward eachindividual needs," she said.

As for queers on the verge of stating theiridentity, Capasso and other newly elected boardmembers said the example of each BGLTSA memberwould help the most.

"People are more comfortable coming out topeople on an individual basis," Capasso said.

Upcoming Events

BGLTSA members say they plan to vigorouslypromote queer awareness this month, beginning withtoday's Big Splash, BGLTSA's spring version ofNational Coming Out Day.

BGLTSA members will canvas the Yard in adisplay of pride, marking the beginning of QueerHarvard Month.

At 8 p.m. tonight, performance artist HollyHughes will discuss her new bookClit Notes: ASappho Samplerin Emerson 105.

Tomorrow, Harvard's Lesbian, Bisexual, and GayGraduate Students (LBGGS) will host a social mixerin Dudley House.

This weekend, Harvard will host theInternational Conference on Bisexuality.

Other conferences, and social and awarenessevents are planned throughout the month, includinga panel discussion on gay youth and families.

Renee J. Raphael contributed to thereporting of this story.

All five of those selected in the February'sballoting were gay males.

Tan said he is happy with the new board, whichincludes three women.

"It is much more diverse. It will be excitingto work with them," he said.

With the election controversy behind them, newboard members pledged to present a united front.

"I think that a lot of members of the gaycommunity at Harvard--and also straightpeople--are reluctant to get involved in BGLTSA,"said Sofen, who is a Crimson editor. "I hope toget new people involved."

The issue of closeted gays and how to bestreach out to them took center stage as thecandidates addressed more than 30 BGLTSA membersin March.

Although they differed in how to implement theoutreach effort, all candidates agreed that BGLTSAmust be seen by the Harvard community as aninclusive organization.

Capasso said the group's many affiliatedorganizations could help fulfill that goal.

"Smaller organizations cater more toward eachindividual needs," she said.

As for queers on the verge of stating theiridentity, Capasso and other newly elected boardmembers said the example of each BGLTSA memberwould help the most.

"People are more comfortable coming out topeople on an individual basis," Capasso said.

Upcoming Events

BGLTSA members say they plan to vigorouslypromote queer awareness this month, beginning withtoday's Big Splash, BGLTSA's spring version ofNational Coming Out Day.

BGLTSA members will canvas the Yard in adisplay of pride, marking the beginning of QueerHarvard Month.

At 8 p.m. tonight, performance artist HollyHughes will discuss her new bookClit Notes: ASappho Samplerin Emerson 105.

Tomorrow, Harvard's Lesbian, Bisexual, and GayGraduate Students (LBGGS) will host a social mixerin Dudley House.

This weekend, Harvard will host theInternational Conference on Bisexuality.

Other conferences, and social and awarenessevents are planned throughout the month, includinga panel discussion on gay youth and families.

Renee J. Raphael contributed to thereporting of this story.