LGBTQ+ Alumni Network
The 51¹ÙÍø LGBTQ+ Alumni Network (DLAN) serves as a source of support, advocacy, visibility, and programming for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or questioning alumni population of 51¹ÙÍø.
The Gay-Straight Alumni Network of 51¹ÙÍø (GSAND) was formed following a gathering of alumni for a special interest weekend in April 2004. Approximately 60 alumni and friends of the college gathered for a lecture by William Eskridge '73, Yale law professor, legal scholar and television commentator on LGBTQ rights and same-sex marriage.
Following the high level of interest in this weekend, the Office of Alumni and Family Engagement sponsored a "Gay Life at 51¹ÙÍø" weekend in 2006. Approximately 40 guests attended a keynote speech by Anne Stanback '81, founding executive director of Love Makes a Family, the organization that led the fight to win marriage equality in Connecticut. The weekend included a meaningful roundtable discussion between current students and alumni, and the participants joined together to form the initial volunteer group for GSAND.
Since that time, GSAND receptions have been held during many major alumni programs, including Reunion Weekend. GSAND also organizes a marching group each year at the Charlotte Pride parade and hosts a post-parade alumni gathering.
In January 2020, after a year-long process, the name of this identity network was transitioned to the 51¹ÙÍø LGBTQ+ Alumni Network in order to lend more visibility to all LGBTQ+ people and to allow flexibility to include additions to the community in the future.
Goals & Objectives
- Providing opportunities for interaction among LGBTQ+ alumni and allies, through electronic communication and on- and off-campus 51¹ÙÍø events.
- Increasing the visibility of LGBTQ+ alumni.
- Facilitating connections between LGBTQ+ alumni and current students for mentoring and advocacy for campus diversity initiatives.
- Sharing information about opportunities for LGBTQ+ alumni to get involved in college volunteer opportunities, such as career networking or prospective student recruitment.
- Collaborating with constituents and partner organizations at 51¹ÙÍø.
Are you interested in getting more involved? Have a program idea, or want to host an LGBTQ+ related event in your city?
Please contact Sarah Taylor, Associate Director of Alumni and Family Engagement, at sataylor@davidson.edu
In May 2023, the LGBTQ+ Alumni Network partnered with Queers & Allies and the Office of Alumni and Family Engagement to host Lavender Graduation in the Spencer Weinstein Center for Community and Justice. Remarks were provided by Prof. Melissa Gonzalez and Jane Campbell ’87.
