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  Perspectives

More often than not, these days it strikes me that being out is a non-issue. And then a student will come to office hours, visit, pause, swallow, and then mention a partner, or mom-and-her-partner. And I'm reminded again that being out is not about me, it's about creating a welcoming place for gay students and for the sons and daughters of gay parents.

Martha Olney, Adjunct Professor of Economics, Department of Economics, at Cal since 1992 (Photo credit: Peg Skorpinski)

As a Student Affairs professional who advises and counsels students every day, I think it's crucial for students to know proudly OUT faculty and staff, who can be role models to encourage students to develop positive identities. When I was coming out during my undergraduate years, it was a great source of strength and encouragement to interact with LGBT faculty and staff who were openly and happily out on campus. We all should recognize and celebrate the diversity that students, staff, and faculty bring to campus. People from different backgrounds are what make life interesting.

Melissa Pon, Undergraduate Student Affairs Officer, College of Natural Resources, at Cal since 2002

I came out while a graduate student here at Berkeley in the late 1970s. It was a lively time, with a great presence of openly gay people on campus, and some very real political issues to fight for, including one that touched me directly: Senator John Briggs's initiative to ban gays from teaching in public schools in California. That made me come out as a GSI to my classes so that the undergraduates could know they had had a gay teacher. It was a warm and welcoming environment in which to take this step. It seemed momentous at the time, but now seems so easy and obvious. Why would I ever have wanted people to think I wasn't gay?

Davitt Moroney, Professor of Music; University Organist; Director, University Baroque Ensemble; Department of Music; graduate student 1975-80; professor since 2001

I'm an Adviser here - my dream job! It's a privilege and joy to help Cal students achieve their dreams. As a bisexual woman, Cal will always have a special place in my heart - this is where I came out of the closet as a student. It's wonderful to see students today being out, loud, and proud. I also feel that we have a long way to go to make sure that all of our school spaces are safe for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender, or the way you dress. We also have to continue to raise awareness of how other areas of life, like race and class, affect the LGBTQI community!

Torey Bookstein, College Adviser, Office of Undergraduate Advising, Letters and Science, Cal student 1989-1994, staff since 2005

Being openly 'out' is part of my daily life; it has to be. My partner and I (together for 13 years now) have two young daughters, ages 5 and 1. They don't know (yet) that many people think there is something wrong with a family made of a mama and a mommy. So if I feel a slight hesitation when I have to come out (yet again), I just think of them. Luckily, working at Cal is such a pleasant, positive experience that my sexual orientation is not nearly as interesting as whether I have any recent cute pictures of my girls in my wallet.

Karie Frasch, Project Manager, UC Faculty Family Friendly Edge, Cal doctoral student 1996-2001, staff since 2005

I am one of the only openly gay members of the department. The process of 'coming out' was really hard, but after everyone got over the shock factor, people really accepted me for who I am. It's great to work for UC Berkeley because people are so open and supportive. I have 20 years of service and I plan on retiring from here. I'm proud of who I am and what I do."

Douglas Spruner, Equipment Operator, Campus Recycling and Refuse Services, at Cal since 1988

Being married to a person of the opposite sex, I'm often not recognized as a 'B' in the LGBTQ rainbow. Yet I've worked for our collective visibility since the 1979 March on Washington for Lesbian & Gay Rights. Coming to UC, I've been fortunate to help promote queer perspectives among Cal's initiatives for diversity and inclusion. My hope is that hundreds more of our thousand-strong campus contingent will make their contributions as staff and faculty much better known.

Sharon Page-Medrich, Executive Assistant to the Dean of the Graduate Division, at Cal since 2001

I feel that it is particularly important to be "out" in the College of Engineering since closets in this field tend to be large, dark, and deep. My undergraduate degree was in Mechanical Engineering so I know firsthand how difficult this male-dominated and heterocentric milieu can be for those of us who are queer. In my 1-1/2 years at Cal, I've been very impressed by Chancellor Birgeneau's leadership in the areas of diversity and inclusion. His work to ensure that every member of the Cal community is celebrated encourages me to do my best work as a fundraiser.

Randy Sweringen, Associate Director of Development, College of Engineering, at Cal since 2006

When I realized I was gay, I knew I had to live and work in an environment that would allow me to be out and proud of who I am. For that reason, I chose to come back to UC Berkeley knowing this is a community where I could thrive and excel while being myself. My spouse, Shauna, and I have been together over 12 years but we still can't marry. So after hours, I volunteer with Marriage Equality USA so eventually couples like us can. Thanks to Cal and the education and work experience this university has provided me, I know I can help make a difference both on and off campus.

Pamela Brown, Assistant Director, Office of Planning and Analysis, undergraduate student 1985-89, graduate student 1989-91, staff at Cal since 1997

As a safety engineer and technical manager in industry for more than 25 years, being a gay man at times seemed at odds or fractured from my professional work life. Accepting a staff position at UCB has been one of the best career moves I could have made. At Berkeley, I feel appreciated for the unique perspective, technical proficiencies, and collaborative approach that I bring to my work. Diversity of thought and celebration of differences, coupled with technical and academic excellence, make this a wonderful place for me in which to live, grow, work and learn.

Jim Gilson, Assistant Manager of Safety, Office of Environment, Health & Safety, at Cal since 2007

I came out while working as a fundraiser at WGBH public broadcasting in Boston. A new LGBT staff group was launched in the early 1990s - one of a handful of such employee groups in the area - and I was one of the first members. When I escaped New England winters and was fortunate to land at Berkeley, I sought out LavenderCal and am glad for it. I feel comfortable here. Having a visual disability in such a large institution does present its own challenges. Keaton, my guide dog, has mastered campus construction. Now I wish he could identify people for me. So if you see me around, please introduce yourself!

Laura Oftedahl, Development Officer, College of Natural Resources, at Cal since 2006

I try always to be out to my students in Social Welfare. I understand how that can be helpful to the queer students since I remember how isolated I felt at UMass in the 1970s when I thought I was the only gay person in the world. But I often think being out here at Cal is more helpful to the straight students. It's good to challenge their norms and expectations. I'm surprised at how many have gone through life without knowing a gay person. I think I can help straight students lose the stereotypes and start realizing that there's not a whole of difference between us - straights and gays - after all.

Sherman Boyson, Undergraduate Advisor, School of Social Welfare, at Cal since 1994

More "perspectives" (with or without photos) from Cal staff and academics are welcome and encouraged. For more information, email our moderators at lavpais@lists.berkeley.edu.