The ETSU Faculty/Staff LGBTQ+ Association was founded in 2020 to contribute and support a welcoming and inclusive university community for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer employees through visibility, networking, and advocacy.
The organization promotes inclusion, equality, and empathy for all members of the campus and greater community. The association believes that we should exist in a world free of discrimination, where all persons are empowered to live their authentic lives without fear of employment discrimination or any other form of harm.
An affiliate of the Patricia L. Robertson Pride Center, the organization is open to all full-time and part-time ETSU faculty and staff, including temporary employees, residents and fellows from Quillen College of Medicine and Gatton College of Pharmacy, and post-doctoral fellows, as well as staff with ETSU Health and Sodexo.
For the first year, the ETSU Faculty/Staff LGBTQ+ Association held all of its meetings over Zoom. In commemoration of Pride Month 2021, the first in-person event was held in June 2021.
An important goal of the association is to provide opportunities for faculty and staff to meet and build connections with other members of the community. Recent activities include:
- Pride Month Dinner – held in June at a local restaurant
- Happy Hour @ 5 – members gather at a local brewstillery on a Friday afternoon; often, this event coincides with another major event, such as the Downtown Johnson City Fridays at 5 celebration.
- Let’s Do Lunch – members meet in a space near the Dining Hall to catch up while enjoying lunch
- Holiday Dinner – held at a local restaurant following the close of the academic semester.
In addition, information is shared with the association about events taking place on campus that involve current members. These include opening of art exhibits, performances from ETSU Theatre and Dance and ETSU Department of Music, lectures and talks, and concerts from the Knoxville Gay Men’s Chorus. Interest has also been expressed in starting a book club, participating in advocacy efforts, and hosting events such as bowling night.
In June 2022, several members of the ETSU Faculty/Staff LGBTQ+ Association joined President Brian Noland, Provost Kimberly McCorkle, and other diversity leaders on campus to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Inn riots and the significance of this event.
Interested in joining, or have questions? Send an email to LGBTQ@etsu.edu. Someone will be in touch soon.
Pride Month Dinner - June 29, 6 p.m.
Email lgbtq@etsu.edu for more information.