Lesbian Task Force of Stevens Point1976-1977

Ten Percent Society

1991-1999

Gay/Straight Alliance2000-2010

Gender and Sexuality Alliance2011-Present

Gay People’s Union1976-1988

Gay Women’s AssociationNo Recognition Granted

OutreachCampus Reactions

TransformationThere has been a shift in the purposes of the organizations and how they operate since the Gay People’s Union in 1976. The organizations started off as a support group but have now become focused on many other goals. These goals have focused on wider change throughout the Stevens Point area.

Gay People’s Union: Campus awareness and member support group

Ten Percent Society: Support group for membersGay/Straight Alliance: Educational and social support group

Gender and Sexuality Alliance: Support group, representational body, campus education, student leadership, and institutional change

What is the 10%? “[The] 10% Society came from the Kinsey studies.” The Kinsey report was one of the first studies that tried to find out how much of the population was homosexual. The study concluded that roughly 10% of the population was gay or lesbian identified. Even today 10% is seen as a LGBTQ+ symbol.

From the start of the Gay People’s Union, creating awareness on campus about the LGBTQ+ population has always been a major goal. Depending on campus climate, the form of this education has shifted. Over 10 different workshops have been created over the years. One of the main educational workshops that began in 2006 is the Safe Zone workshop. In 2011, the student led Safe Zone modified its language and as of 2014 the program is advertised as such:

“The Safe Zone is a 90 minute training seminar designed to increase awareness about the LGBTQ+ community, educate about various terminologies and concepts, develop and apply cultural competency skills, deconstruct privilege, and discuss inclusivity in everyday life, social atmospheres, the classroom, and the workplace. Leaving, participants will know the principles of a safe space and have the tools and resources to influence their everyday lives.”

Over 500 people were trained in the 2013-2014 school year.

ReferencesPlease check out: http://goo.gl/XlcnGJ for more

information and for the complete reference list

Disclosing the Secrets: Transformation of UWSP’s 10%By Alexander Purdy

The Gay People’s Union was the most controversial LGBTQ+ organization on campus. Over the years of the organization, the GPU built up a Student Government allocated budget of roughly $7,000. Much of this money went towards their 25 staff members and event security. This led to a big revolt by people who were against the group and that did not want to pay for the segregated fees that funded this organization. Subsequently, the GPU was reduced to 7% of its original budget in 1985. Without money to kick-start awareness campaigns, the organization only had the funding to continue hold their general meetings. These meetings were often the ones held in secrecy.

Since then, the subsequent organizations have worked hard to build a stronger relationship with the campus. Administration and SGA support have significantly increased.

These Safe Zone cards are given out at the completion of the Safe Zone workshop to represent one’s willingness to show their status as an ally. Each card features a Triangle that has historical properties dating back to World War II as people suspected of being gay were given pink triangles to wear. This is similar to the Jewish Star of David.

Secrecy and Membership

Gay People’s Union: Must call to discover meeting times and locations unless public educational events Ten Percent Society: Had to know someone within the organization or be on their mailing list. Some members would still participate in campus eventsGay/Straight Alliance: Strongly started to actively have meetings publically and greatly encouraged straight allied members

Gender and Sexuality Alliance: All students welcome and encouraged to attend events. Placed a heavier focus on gender non-conforming inclusion

As the organizations began, many people rejected the group being out on campus. To protect their members, many of the early groups met in private or secret locations around campus. As the campus climate shifted, more events were held publically.

“The meetings were very secretive and in secret locations, as the campus climate was not at all what it is today.  We had lookout people-” -Mickey Fitch,

Former GSA President

Blue Jean Day was an day long awareness campaign hosted by the GPU in 1981. People were to wear blue jeans as a sign of support for the LGBTQ+ community. Many people got upset that the GPU was serving to “perpetuate hostility, persecution, and alienation.”

Since 1973, the Pointer has been publishing articles and letters to the editor about the LGBTQ+ community. The various LGBTQ+ through the years even made their ways onto the covers of the Pointer. Articles and letters typically were opinion pieces until the last decade when most of the attention has been focused on the events of the organizations rather than the controversies behind them.

Not everyone was secretive in the 10% Society. Trevor Ilk and Nancy LeBeau were crowned Homecoming King and Queen at the 1994 Cotillion Ball. While controversy took place, the Pointer author Stephanie Sprangers felt that this was a sign of the changing generation.

Various events held in more recent years such as Ally Day, Gay is the New Black, and the NoH8! Photoshoot show an increase awareness and desire to attract other intersections within the campus community. These events often were co-sponsored with other organizations like the Black Student Union, the Student Government Association, and Women’s Resource Center.