Discerning Our Pasts: Townhall Revisited
A 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Out for Change Campaign
The LGBTQ Center is thankful for all of those who joined us to observe the 10th Anniversary of the Out for Change Campaign in collaboration with our students, faculty, and partners from across campus, who were part of this historic campaign from the Fall of 2007.
History of Out for Change Campaign
The specific student-led campaign, Out for Change, (Fall 2007) was in response to hate crimes on campus that year; but was part of a much longer struggle for recognition, visibility, equity, and justice for LGBTQ communities and life on the Hilltop which started decades ago. Much of this history is still being told, but it has been part of the long arc of healing for the campus. The students’ “call” for justice over incidents of hate crime on campus, led to the historic “response” when President DeGioia convened the Townhall of 2007 at the ICC Auditorium.
Students on the Hilltop have had a long history of calling the institution to live up to our better selves, and our better angels; and the institution has responded to those calls with a willingness to listen and to grow. It is this that has led to our ability to remain an institution true to our mission, heritage, and identity rooted in self-awareness and a willingness to examine and do what is needed to heal. The Working Group model has also served as a useful template in the last 10 years for many other major and even more complex initiatives.
President DeGioia, in his address from 2007, outlined his core principles, and guiding values: “I would like us to begin a process for a sustained, community-wide discussion about the needs of students. Iwould like us to develop new ideas for meeting these needs in ways that are in alignment with our identity. The four ideas brought to me by the students — all workable — should be a platform for our efforts, but not the ceiling.”
The LGBTQ initiative was led by Dr. Dan Porterfield (then VP of Strategic Communications, now President, Franklin and Marshall College), and Rosemary Kilkenny (VP for Diversity & Equity). They established the three Working Groups on Reporting, Resources, and Education, where many students, faculty, staff, Jesuits, and alumni participated in large numbers and held transformative discussions about LGBTQ issues in relation to Mission & Identity, needs of students, and faculty, staff, and alumni. This process ultimately led to the recommendation to establish a Center in the Division of Student Affairs in the Fall of 2008. More on the working groups.
We Were Honored to be Joined by:
Discerning Our Pasts: 10 Anniversary Video Clips
President John J. DeGioia
John J. DeGioia (President, Georgetown University, COL ‘79, GRAD ’95) led the Townhall of 2007 in response to student demands. He helped pave the way for healing through the three working groups: reporting, resources, and education. This eventually led to the creation of the LGBTQ Resource Center.
The Panel
Led by current student Zackary Abu-Akeel and alumnus Caitlin Opperman, panelists covered topics related to the Out for Change Campaign, the Townhall, and the Supreme Court case against Georgetown from the 80s. The panel included members of the Georgetown community that experience these events at varying levels.
Shamisa Zvoma (MSB ’08)
Shamisa Zvoma (MSB ’08) is one of the many students who led the student activism across campus and spearheaded the Out for Change campaign efforts. Shamisa attended the Townhall Revisited event to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Out for Change Campaign.
Scott Chessare (SFS ’10)
Scott Chessare (SFS ’10) is one of the many students who led the student activism across campus and spearheaded the Out for Change campaign efforts. Chessare attended the Townhall Revisited event to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Out for Change Campaign.