LGBRO changes its name and prepares to change directors

Cornell's Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Resource Office, known as LGBRO, has become LGBTRC, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center.

"The name change recognizes the scope and approach of our current activities as well as our intentions for future growth," says LGBT Resource Center Coordinator Carlisle Douglas.

In another big change in the life of the center, Douglas will make way for a new coordinator for Fall 1998. The 1998-99 academic year would have been Douglas' fourth at Cornell.

The omission of "transgender" in the original name of the office was seen by many as an indication of the lack of awareness at Cornell of transgender issues. The close connection between issues of sexual orientation and gender identity demand that education and programming on lesbian, gay and bisexual issues be inclusive of transgender issues, center members say.

Douglas' departure will come after three years of work with the Cornell community. In her time at Cornell, the resource center has made great strides towards its goals of providing accessible information and referral services, interdepartmental consultation on issues of sexual orientation and educational programming for staff, students and faculty.

Douglas says she feels the center is now well established and highly regarded and the next steps in the center's development are clear. A national search for the new coordinator will be launched in mid-May.

For additional information, contact David Whitmore at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center, 254-4987; fax: 255-7793, LGBRO@cornell.edu.