LGBTQ Studies Minor to Launch Fall 2010

Dr. Nancy Theriot, chair of the University of Louisville’s department of Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS), announced on Friday the creation of a new LGBTQ Studies minor that will be available to students starting with the Fall 2010 semester.  The new minor comes after years of lobbying by students for more opportunities to study LGBTQ issues and meets an important goal of both WGS and the College of Arts and Sciences to expand the number of interdisciplinary focus areas offered to students.

“Until recently there have not been sufficient courses in this area to put together a minor curriculum. That situation changed with the hiring of the Audre Lorde Chair in Race, Class, Gender and Sexualities Studies (Dr. Kaila Story), and the creation of new courses in the English Department (LGBTQ Literature) and the Political Science Department (Queer Politics),” said Dr. Theriot.  Students will have to complete 18 hours of coursework, including an internship or independent research project, to finish the minor.

Along with the Audre Lorde endowed chair, Dr. Theriot credits the Office for LGBT Services with creating more interest in the minor.  She says there is no way to predict how many students will pursue the minor, but thinks the programs that the Office sponsors has inspired students to want to learn more about LGBTQ issues.

WGS major Alyson Hill said the LGBTQ Studies minor sends an important message to students who are looking for a place to study.  “This really establishes U of L as the leader in Kentucky for LGBT students and says that they can expect to have a great college experience if they come here. Even if you aren’t LGBT, it sends an important message of tolerance that many students are looking for.”

Dr. Theriot was the recipient of a commonGround ally award this year for improving the campus environment for LGBT students, faculty, and staff.