"I would assume that we would have to continuethe debate because nothing was resolved and itdefeats the purpose if it isn't," said Kuumbasinger Anna B. Benvenutti '00 after the Aprilforum.
Compromise in the Works
An ideological divide in an identity groupforced the Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender andSupporters Alliance (BGLTSA) to impeach anofficer, nullify elections and struggle to reach acompromise between two camps this semester.
Problems within the BGLTSA surfaced in Februarywhen David A. Campbell '00, the group's formervice chair, was impeached by the BGLTSA executiveboard and the results of the elections thatCampbell organized were thrown out.
While Lauralee Summer '98, a former BGLTSAco-chair, said Campbell's impeachment stemmed fromhis persistence in pursuing issues the group didnot agree with, Campbell said he felt alienatedfrom the group's politics.
He later cited the postering campaign duringApril's Queer Harvard Month as an example of whathe sees as the group's misguided methods. Signsprominently featuring words like "vulva" or "fag,"Campbell argued, alienate conservative members ofthe gay community as well as mainstream Harvardand mainstream America.
"What type of behavior or face do werepresent?" asked Campbell, who is a Crimsoneditor. "Do we want someone who representsdominant culture or do want an S&M leather queen?I was seen as selling out to dominant culture," hesaid in April.
Still, the BGLTSA members who took office in anew round of elections following Campbell'simpeachment said they are confident they can finda compromise that meets the needs of both camps.
Adam A. Sofen '01, the BGLTSA's currentco-chair, said he is "proof that you can be aso-called sellout and still prosper on theBGLTSA."
"The BGLTSA board encompasses all types," saidSofen, who is a Crimson editor. "My style is morethe assimilationist user-friendly style. I'm notout to shock anyone, but I'm also not about tocensor anyone."
Sofen's partner in the BGLTSA leadership, onthe other hand, is Nicole L. DeBlosi '99, whoexplains that "proving that I'm `normal' is notwhat I'm going to do." An active member of theQueer Action Group, DeBlosi was behind many of theposters Campbell said he found alienating.
Sofen, though, says he still sees value in bothapproaches and both gay identities.
"It takes both--Nicole DeBlosi to shout andDave Campbell to calm her down," he said. "Ifwe're getting to gain acceptance in the Americancommunity and remain united as a movement, bothapproaches are necessary."