Q&A History
Queers & Allies has served Lawrence and the University of Kansas
for over 30 years. Despite sporadic struggles with the administration
and some students, the organization has survived and thrived. As it
enters its fourth decade, Queers & Allies continues to offer
support for Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgendered people and their
friends, and to advocate positive change in the Lawrence community.
By Clay McCuistion
The first version of
Queers and Allies was founded by social work student David Stout in
1970-a year after the Stonewall riots in New York sparked the modern
LBGT rights movement.
In 1971 the group-then called the Lawrence Gay Liberation Front-took KU
to court. The students wanted the GLF to be officially recognized by
the University. After two years of legal battles, and appeals up to the
U.S. Supreme Court, the group lost. KU gave the gay liberation front an
office in the union however, and the GLF stayed active.
Throughout the '70s, the group-which changed its name to Gay and
Lesbian Services of Kansas-supported itself with fundraising dances.
The dances were huge events, drawing hundreds from Kansas and
surrounding states. The Village People played at a dance here before
they broke through with "Y.M.C.A."
In 1980, student senate regulations changed. Any student group
following official organizational policy would be recognized by KU and
eligible to receive student money. Queers and Allies was finally
official.
Some students weren't pleased, however. A group called the "Fag
Busters" appeared on campus. Widespread queer-bashing incidents were
reported. KU administrators did little to stop the violence. A
University Daily Kansan reporter finally uncovered the head of the
secretive group, and the Fag Busters faded away.
The group sailed throughout the rest of the '80s. In the mid-'90s, Q
& A went through the resignation of a director with a shady past
and the emergence of Fred Phelps as a national media figure. At the
same time, campus speakers such as Greg Louganis and Lawrence groups
such as Simply Equal brought more positive attention. In 1995, Simply
Equal-a collection of local activists-backed a successful queer rights
ordinance. Lawrence is now the only place in Kansas where LBGT civil
rights are protected.
Today, Queers and Allies is older than most of its members. But it continues
to help and work for the KU Queer community and its friends.
Please click HERE for a more detailed history.