Events

To help those teaching or unable to meet during the normal lunch meeting, the membership decided to designate a day and location for a secondary meeting. These meetings will start at about 5:30 p.m. generally on the fourth Friday's of the month, check the calendar for specifics.

Past Events

In the past, the Caucus has hosted workshops on domestic partner benefits and productivity issues related to homophobia. The Caucus also coordinates “Gay in Appalachia,” a community event held in the fall which explores various issues through poetry, electronic media, and the various arts. In 2006, the Caucus raised funds to produce "Revelations," a theatrical presentation about Appalachian resiliency in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Thanks to campus-wide support, the playwright and guest artist, Carrie and Michael Kline, served in a weeklong residency. Comprised of young and old, black and white, gay and straight, student, faculty, and community “actors,” the final reading was presented in front of a standing-room only crowd of 200 people. It received print publicity in The Conductor, New River Free Press, and the CT, as well as several listservs. Deep discussion followed the close of the performance, and conversation continued well into the reception. Overall, it received outstanding evaluations. The Klines worked with three classes, graduate students and various professors, and also moderated a Community Discussion at the Women's Center on recent political issues.

Revelations was sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Office of Equal Opportunity, the Office of the Provost, the Department of Theatre Arts, the Women’s Center, the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, the Department of Music, and Appalachian Studies. It was also selected for a Women and Minority Artists and Scholars Lecture Series grant.

2007 "Gay in Appalacha"

Caucus Sponsors Second Artist-In-Residency….
Daniel Karslake’s Award Winning Film Plays to a Packed House

The screening of "For the Bible Tells Me So" with director Daniel Karslake packed the 477-seat Lyric Theatre in downtown Blacksburg late in November 2007.  Sponsored by the LGBT Caucus at Virginia Tech, close to another 100 people had to turned away for this moving film event. 

The powerful film returned in March, courtesy once again of the LGBT Caucus, where donations were also raised to support the Rebecca Wight resources room at the Women’s Center. The library is named for Wight, a Virginia Tech lesbian alumna who was murdered on the Appalachian Trail in 1988.

"It was a powerful film followed by an equally powerful response by the director," wrote one audience member."

"I liked the emphasis on love," wrote another.

"We were so fortunate to have the director with us for two days," said Jean Elliott, co-chair of the caucus.  "Besides creating a brilliant film, Daniel was articulate and passionate, and able to interact with everyone – students, faculty, clergy and the community– in an incredibly engaging manner."

Evaluations praised the scholarly analysis of the BIblical interpretations, the research findings, and the process each person and family went through. Film-goers also appreciated the socio-economic and religious diversity represented by the different families.

Many students and community members alike mentioned that they were going to order the DVD to shared with a loved one.  (To order, go to FortheBibleTellsMeSo.org).

The LGBT Caucus at Virginia Tech will also have a copy of the DVD (available the end of January) and its members are willing to help facilitate conversations in the community, at local churches, or within the "family."

"We are appreciative of the overwhelming response and support of this event," said Ken Belcher, caucus co-chair.  "But, hopefully, this is only the beginning of the conversation."

About the Movie:
"For the Bible Tells Me So,” a First Run Production, has won nine audience awards at film festivals across the country and was nominated for the Sundance Grand Jury Award in 2007. Some people feel very conflicted when it comes to homosexuality and the Bible. People of great faith who have a gay friend or relative may experience profound spiritual turmoil. Healing and transformative, Dan Karslake's provocative, entertaining documentary brilliantly reconciles homosexuality and Biblical scripture.

For the Bible Tells Me So reconciles homosexuality and Biblical scripture. Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families—including   former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopalian Bishop Gene Robinson—we discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child. Informed by such respected voices as Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard's Peter Gomes, and Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg, For the Bible Tells Me So offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity.

About the Director:
For six years, Daniel Karslake has been an award-winning producer for the highly acclaimed newsmagazine, “In the Life,” which airs nationally on PBS in over 120 markets. Recognition for his outstanding work for the show, which has centered primarily on issues regarding religion and homosexuality, includes an Emmy nomination from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, as well as praise from GLAAD and the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association.

Thank you to our sponsors…
Once again, the artist-in- residency and screenings  received campus-wide support, including sponsorship from the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, the Office of Student Affairs, the Office of the Provost, the Office of Equal Opportunity, the Women’s Center, the Departments of Communication, Interdisciplinary Studies, Human Development, and the School of the Arts.  It was also awarded a Women and Minority Artists and Scholars Lecture Series grant.