"Next year people will be able to pick up books, find out about events...but right now we're still setting everything up," says Croes, of the center that is currently under construction.

In addition to its lobbying of the College, the BGLSA also sponsors a series of community events aimed at promoting social awareness of gays.

"We use organized groups to have political and social events like poetry readings, a five speaker symposium and Bisexual Gay and Lesbian Awareness Days, (BGLAD) in April," she adds.

The visibility of events like BGLAD are important in helping students feel more comfortable as members of the gay community. And they send a signal of acceptance to students who are thinking of coming out of the closet, Croes says.

"Our dances make the BGLSA a presence on campus," Croes says. "Straight students come who wouldn't be involved otherwise."

Increasingly, straight students have felt more comfortable attending BGLSA meetings, Croes adds.

"A lot of straight students are involved," she says, referring to the BGLSA's three straight board members. "[In general there is] a lot of support...that doesn't mean Harvard is or is not gay friendly. Things in the houses are pretty mixed."

Croes also points to the BGLSA's efforts to create programs for first-years as a sign of their broadening base of support.

"Some proctors tried to get a group of freshmen together but not much came of it," Croes says. "[But] freshmen take a while to come out of their shells. We try to target freshmen and let them know there's a safe place for them."

Girls Spot and Other Groups

Croes says that there are several groups on campus that complement BGLSA in providing services for the gay community.

Organizations, such as the newly-formed Girls Spot and Contact, focus on students' specific needs that a larger group, like the BGLSA, cannot address.

"If we divide ourselves to meet the needs of individual groups, which the [BGLSA] board has actually discussed in the past, it would be counterproductive," Croes says. "There would be constant overlapping of interests."

Oppenheimer says he agrees with Croes that the BGLSA is over-burdened by the number of issues it must address.

"The burden is now entirely on the BGLSA and Contact. More services need to be offered," Oppenheimer says, referring to his group and Contact, a peer counseling organization that deals with issues of sexuality and sexual orientation.