Columbia Queer Alliance

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Columbia Queer Alliance

The Columbia Queer Alliance (CQA) is the central LGBTQ+ student organization at Columbia University in New York City. Founded in 1967, it is recognized as the oldest continuously running LGBTQ+ student organization in the world. The CQA serves as a support network and advocacy group for LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff at Columbia University and its affiliated institutions.

History

The Columbia Queer Alliance was originally established as the Student Homophile League (SHL) by Stephen Donaldson, a bisexual student at Columbia College. The SHL was the first student organization in the United States to openly advocate for the rights of homosexual individuals. In 1970, the organization changed its name to the Gay People at Columbia-Barnard (GPC-B) to reflect its broader membership, including students from Barnard College. The name was later changed to the Columbia Gay and Lesbian Alliance (CGLA) in the 1980s, and finally to the Columbia Queer Alliance in the 1990s to be more inclusive of the entire LGBTQ+ spectrum.

Mission and Activities

The mission of the Columbia Queer Alliance is to foster a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals at Columbia University. The organization provides a variety of services, including:

• Peer support and counseling
• Educational workshops and seminars
• Social events and mixers
• Advocacy and activism on campus and in the broader community

The CQA also collaborates with other student organizations and university departments to promote diversity and inclusion.

Events

The Columbia Queer Alliance hosts several annual events, including:

• Pride Month celebrations in June, featuring parades, lectures, and cultural events.
• Coming Out Week in October, which includes panel discussions, film screenings, and support groups.
• Lavender Graduation, a ceremony honoring the achievements of LGBTQ+ graduates.

Notable Alumni

Several notable individuals have been involved with the Columbia Queer Alliance, including:

• Stephen Donaldson, founder of the Student Homophile League
• Larry Kramer, playwright and LGBTQ+ rights activist
• Janet Mock, writer and transgender rights advocate

Related Pages

• LGBTQ+ rights in the United States
• Columbia University
• Barnard College
• Stephen Donaldson
• Larry Kramer
• Janet Mock

See Also

• LGBTQ+ student organizations
• History of LGBTQ+ rights in the United States
• Queer studies