Spring 2010 - Tufts University

TUFTS UNIVERSITY LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER CENTER
Tufts LGBT News
DIRECTOR’S WELCOME SPRING SEMESTER
EVENTS:
Dear Friends,
As LGBT issues continue to take a prominent place in national news, the Tufts LGBT
Center also continues to provide a safe space for LGBT and allied students, faculty, staff
and alumni. A few of the projects we’ve been working on lately include:
�� A confidential Coming Out/Questioning support group for students
�� Assisting Tufts Human Resources Department as they consider if Tufts’ parental leave
policies are equitable for adoptive parents
�� Holding more social events for students
�� Bringing a new coffee machine into the Center
�� Revamping our website (check it out, your picture might be on it!)
We hope this newsletter will help you feel even more up-to-date on what’s going on with
LGBT life at Tufts. We encourage you to also visit http://ase.tufts.edu/lgbt for the latest
Center information!
Sincerely,
Tom Bourdon, LGBT Center Director
LGBT CENTER DISCUSSION GROUPS
One of the Center’s most important functions
is as a space for discussion groups to
host their weekly meetings. The leaders of
these student-run groups choose discussion
topics from the news or their personal
experiences each week, but the conversations
tend run wild! Sometimes the
groups will mix up the action with a field
trip or a board game night.
Groups include:
�� Women’s Group (pictured)
�� Queer Students of Color and Allies (QSOCA)
�� Bisexual Students Group
�� Men’s Group
�� Coming Out/Questioning Group
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
SPRING 2010
�� Transgender Students Group (BATS: Boston Area Trans Students)
For more information, please visit http://ase.tufts.edu/lgbt/organizations/index.asp
�� Soul Food Night
�� Graduate Student
Wine & Cheese Social
�� Documentary Film
Screenings
�� “GAYpril”
�� Ex “ex-gay” Wayne Besen
�� Dance Dance Revolution
Tournament
�� Guest Speaker:
Rev. Irene Monroe
�� Intercollegiate Dance
�� Bolles House Barbecue
�� LGBT Senior & Faculty
Networking Night
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Q UEER STUDIES AT
TUFTS
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT:
ALLISTER CHANG ‘12
2
3
TEAM Q UPDATE 3
ALUMNUS Q&A:
ANDY SALZER ‘94
4
LGBT C ENTER INTERNS 5
ALUMNOTES 6
GET TO KNOW THE
CENTER
7

PAGE 2
Jennifer Burtner is a
lecturer in the
Anthropology department.
“QUEER THEORY
GOES FAR
BEYOND FEMINISM
AND EVEN LGBT
ISSUES.
IT CHALLENGES
THE IDENTITIES
OF ALL PEOPLE,
NOT JUST LGBT-
IDENTIFIED
PEOPLE.”
QUEER STUDIES AT TUFTS:
A CONVERSATION WITH JENNIFER BURTNER
BY CLAY HARMON, LGBT CENTER GRADUATE ASSISTANT
Jennifer Burtner developed a deep connection with the LGBT community’s struggle for civil
rights and equality during her graduate studies at the University of Texas. As a “safe zone” in the
South for LGBT and allied folks and a cradle of LGBT activism, Austin was hit hard by the HIV/
AIDS epidemic of the 1980s and the ensuing political firestorm. Many of Burtner’s mentors
succumbed to the disease—an experience that informs her continued determination to work for
LGBT equality. Now a lecturer in the Tufts Department of Anthropology, Burtner teaches
WS191: Introduction to Queer Studies and is a prominent supporter of LGBT issues on campus.
I sat down with her to learn more about Queer Studies at Tufts.
—
Why is it important to teach and learn queer studies/queer theory?
TUFTS LGBT NEWS
The LGBT experience is something that touches on almost every aspect of human endeavor, so it
can be easy to teach queer studies as part of another subject, whether it be law, public policy,
English or anything else. It is much more difficult to convince college administrations that as an
independent social movement, the LGBT experience should be taught as its own separate subject.
We are fortunate to enjoy strong support from the Tufts administration, and I think the
continued popularity of the course has convinced the university of its necessity.
Tufts’ mission is to train students for public service and active citizenship in myriad divergent
paths. Recognized courses are essential for this purpose: they create a dedicated time and space
for discussion of certain topics, offer official recognition of students’ work, and result in natural
cohorts of students with similar interests.
LGBT issues should not be only an extracurricular activity at Tufts. It is impossible to deny their
crucial role in all public policy discussions. Furthermore, the LGBT community is currently
experiencing a critical moment for reform and change. Future leaders in the public and private
sectors must be well-versed in queer studies.
Is queer theory only for LGBT people? Why should anyone else care about it?
Queer theory is certainly not only for LGBT’s. This question is relevant, however, because there
is a sort of wall or tension when it comes to discussing LGBT issues, arising from the fact that it
is not always possible to tell who is LGBT and who is not. Many people fail to understand the
fluidity of sexual expression and the changes they will experience in their own identities and
actions throughout their lifetimes. Queer theory goes far beyond feminism and even LGBT
issues. It challenges the identities of all people, not just LGBT-identified people.
How have you seen the Tufts LGBT community change during your time here?
I have been at Tufts since 2006. In that time, there has been a steadily increasing visibility of
LGBT folks and issues on campus thanks in large part to Tom Bourdon’s work in the LGBT
Center, and to the queer studies course. I have noticed more and more allied students taking the
course, which helps the community grow exponentially.
This story continues on page 5.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: ALLISTER CHANG ‘12
Allister Chang ‘12 is a History major and a Co-President of Queer-Straight Alliance (QSA), the
LGBT and allied student club at Tufts. We’re not sure how Allister found the time to answer our
questions with his busy schedule!
How did you get involved with LGBT life at Tufts and with QSA specifically?
Getting involved with LGBT organizations at Tufts was not challenging. At least for me, the wider
Tufts community has been accepting, if not encouraging, of participation in queer activism. I participate
mainly with QSA because I see the present struggles of all non-heteronormative peoples as integrally
enmeshed, regardless of how the identities themselves coincide. Beyond campus, I represented
the Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project at last year’s Boston Marathon and I've been helping
Massachusetts State Representative (and Tufts alumnus) Carl Sciortino at the State House to pass
H.1728 to add "transgender" to the list of identities protected by the non-discrimination bill.
What's the most rewarding part about leading QSA?
I think we've built a solid community in QSA this past semester. One highlight was Fall 09’s National
Coming Out Day Rally. Attendees included Father O'Leary, Reverend Harthan, the President's
Chief of Staff Michael Baenen, Rabbi Ruttenberg, and MA State Representative Carl Sciortino. I look
forward to doing more advocacy work with QSA this spring.
What hobbies and interests do you pursue when you’re not being a student or a QSA
leader?
Since I was 4, I've played piano and figure skated. At Tufts, I've coordinated elections as the treasurer
of the Elections Commission, sang in the University Chorale and the Third-Day Gospel Choir,
worked at the Office of the Vice Provost, and tutored through the Leonard Carmichael Society. I am
a member of Synaptic Scholars, World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, and the Skating Club
of Boston. On weekends, I hike, ski, rock climb, and ice climb with the Tufts Mountain Club.
What are your post-graduation plans?
I'm thinking about law school after I hike the Appalachian Trail.
Do you have a message for Tufts LGBT alumni?
I think it would benefit the LGBT students at Tufts to communicate more with Tufts LGBT
alumni. We welcome any Tufts LGBT alumni to attend our weekly QSA meetings at the LGBT Center
Mondays at 9:00PM.
TEAM Q UPDATE BY BRUCE WANG ‘13 (TEAM Q MEMBER)
Team Q is a speaking bureau comprised of students who are trained to speak about a variety of
LGBT issues by sharing their unique personal stories. Over this year, Team Q has begun to expand
beyond its formal discussion panel structure into being a team of students that attend various
LGBT and diversity events on campus, facilitating and provoking discussion.
After attending a short training retreat in Provincetown, MA last September, Team Q has facilitated
discussions following “Transgeneration” and “Milk” film screenings, hosted a “Guess the
Straight Person” event, and given its first formal speaking panel at the Tufts Women’s Center.
All these events were very successful and many students outside the LGBT community were
offered first-hand insight into the LGBT experience.
Team Q will travel to Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School this March. We were invited by a Team
Q alumna who is currently teaching there, to host a panel in which members of Team Q will
share their personal stories and engage in a subsequent Q&A session with high school students.
We’re very excited to be reaching out to the Tufts community and beyond with our stories!
PAGE 3
Allister Chang ‘12 invites
Tufts LGBT alumni to attend
QSA meetings and meet
current students.
Members of Team Q at the
Provincetown Inn Retreat,
September 2009.

PAGE 4
Andy Salzer ‘94 hopes that
current Tufts students
have time to relax and to
appreciate their relationships
with people.
“I TOOK MY LIBERAL
ARTS DEGREE AND
KIND OF PUT IT IN A
BOX. LITERALLY.
IT'S AT MY PARENTS’
HOUSE
SOMEWHERE.”
ALUMNUS Q & A: ANDY SALZER ‘94
TUFTS LGBT NEWS
Andy Salzer (BA in Art History) has built a career in retail, fashion and consulting since
graduating from Tufts in 1994. A Seattle native, he currently lives in New York.
What have you been up to since you left Tufts?
Here's the zoom zoom version. I took my liberal arts degree and kind of put it in a box. Literally. It's at
my parents’ house somewhere. After graduation, I moved back to Seattle and decided to open up a retail
store. And then I opened up another one. After a couple years, I got kind of bored with having stores. So
I sold them and launched an ecommerce company. I moved that to NY and did that for a couple years, and
sold that project right before the .com era crashed. Honestly, after all that, I was exhausted. So I took a
year off. And traveled. And decompressed. Over that year, I decided that if I was going to stay in fashion,
I wanted to work on a project more personal to me. I launched a menswear line called Yoko
Devereaux which was a wild 10 year ride. I closed that down at the end of June and took another
break. Now I'm consulting. That's so abridged, but there you have it.
How did you get started in fashion design? Was it something you always wanted to
do?
I totally fell into it. I've always been more about brand strategy. Since this was a menswear project, I
inevitably had to learn all about design. For me, the whole project was recognizing that clothing is a powerful
form of communication. And having an opportunity for me to express a point of view. That still
fascinates me.
Yoko Devereaux was a big success. What are you doing these days?
I took a huge break after I closed down the brand. That was 10 years of relentless work, and I loved it so
much. The larger question inevitably is 'What next?'. It looks like consulting is where I'll be for awhile -
all arrows have pointed to that, which is a-ok with me. It prevents me from reporting to an office cubicle,
so I'm all for it.
What is your favorite memory from Tufts?
Just one? Tufts completely changed my life. My favorite memory? Hmmmmm... Is it the time we all
went to DC and marched on Washington (including my dad) or the time I was chased down frat row in
heels or possibly bringing Jenny Livingston to campus to screen and discuss directing 'Paris is Burning' or
the endless face time with the Dean of students explaining and defining homophobia like it was a word that
we just made up or the writing of letter upon letter to the editor at the Daily? It was total mayhem. And I
wouldn't trade it for anything. It was an amazing 4 years.
Who is someone who has inspired you in the LGBT community?
At Tufts, there were 7 students that had the biggest impact on me. Wally Pansing, Wayne Hoffman, Jere
Halligan, Jim Sherred, Lisa De Wolf, Candice Greenberg and Sandra Hanna. That sums up my ENTIRE
Tufts experience. I was well taken care of by the minds and personalities of these individuals. I was very
fortunate indeed. Beyond the university experience, Dustin Lance Black is personally one of my favorites
right now. With 'Milk', he's mobilized and energized a whole new generation of activists. But I think the
most interesting activism is coming out of the trans communities - that's pretty amazing stuff.
How did your experiences at Tufts shape your approach to life?
I remember a relentless conversation about our privileged lives in an academic ivory tower. That dialogue
still carries a lot of validity and resonance. But only if we take that conversation to the streets, so to
speak. If you can mix it up: the academia and real life, you're in a good place. It keeps you on your
toes. I still live my life like that.
Any advice for current Tufts students?
Don't be so serious. Seriously. Life is way too short. And know that your relationships with people are
more important than anything. Everything else is just filler.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
QUEER STUDIES AT TUFTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
What is in store for the future of queer studies and the LGBT community at Tufts?
First of all, queer studies must continue to be taught, no matter who teaches it. The course
should not be dependent upon one interested faculty member, but should be considered a necessary
part of the Tufts curriculum. More queer studies courses should be developed, perhaps at
the Experimental College. There are so many fascinating and important areas of LGBT life to
explore, such as advocacy, organizing, art and literature, and popular culture. We should see
more LGBT-related art shows here at Tufts and begin forging closer ties with the vibrant LGBT
arts scene in Boston. We are fortunate to have many allies and resources here to effect social
changes in a variety of ways. We all need to work together to stay on the agenda. (Editor’s
Note: Burter is helping bring the art show “Who We Love: Older Lesbians and Gay Men on
Life, Aging and Love” to the Aidekman Slater Concourse Gallery this March.)
Any closing thoughts?
When I teach the queer studies course, I feel a special kind of energy and satisfaction: a feeling of
“this is what I’ve wanted to do all my life.” I am thrilled to be a part of queer life at Tufts.
LGBT CENTER INTERNS
The LGBT Center employs four enthusiastic undergraduate interns and one graduate assistant who
plan and market events, staff the Center, and build community in the Center and on campus.
Outside, clockwise from top left: Alex Watling ‘12, Katherine Nittmann ‘12,
Clay Harmon Ed. M. ‘10 (Harvard Graduate School of Education), Bruce Wang ‘13
Center: Tabias Wilson ‘13
PAGE 5
“WE ARE
FORTUNATE TO
HAVE MANY
ALLIES AND
RESOURCES HERE
TO EFFECT
SOCIAL CHANGES
IN A VARIETY OF
WAYS.”

ALUMNOTES
NEWS AND UPDATES FROM YOUR FELLOW JUMBOS
Stuart Falk ‘64
Would enjoy meeting other members living in or visiting the Los Angeles area. I don’t know how
many members, if any at all, we have in LA, but it might be nice to organize a get-together. stufalk@ca.rr.com
Brian Ganson, F’88
is thrilled to announce his October 2009 marriage to Laurent Menez of Lille, France. They will be
emigrating to a country that respects marriage equality.
Chuck Provancher, A ‘89
and his spouse, David Lenoir, recently adopted their son Anthony, age 9. Chuck can be found at
www.facebook.com/provancher.
Adam Glick '89
I am a therapist in Boston, running a coming out support group for adults and have a private practice
with a specialty in coming out, sexual orientation and gender identity. It would be fun to connect
with other tufts alums. admglick@gmail.com.
Brendan Feeney, MAT ‘96
Looking to network with others in the field of education. Presently I am at my 11th year as a high
school history teacher. Any others working in the field of education looking to network are welcome
to contact me at Tree14tree@aol.com
Dan Barry '03
Earned my massage therapy license and started my own practice, De Fabrica Therapeutic Massage.
Living in a mini co-op (Fort Awesome) in Middletown, CT. Need a massage? Wanna catch up?
You can reach me at defabricamassage@gmail.com.
Adam Pulver ‘05
I’m winding down a 2-year clerkship for a federal district judge in Los Angeles, and looking for
jobs in civil rights litigation. Would love to hear from fellow West Coast Jumbos:
Adam.Pulver@alumni.tufts.edu
Bill Barnert, G ‘05
I joined a startup in Cambridge last year - Tap 'n Tap - we hope to become the #1 software for tablets
competing against the (ahem!) iPad. Still very active in the Cambridge Men's Group
(CambridgeMen.org) -- check it out!
Judy Neufeld ‘05
I will be starting as the Executive Director of Emerge Massachusetts (www.emergema.org) on
February 22nd. Emerge Massachusetts helps to recruit, train, and support Democratic women to
run for office. If you're interested in learning more about supporting our work or the training program,
please contact me at jpneufeld@gmail.com.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PLACE AN ANNOUNCEMENT IN OUR NEXT ISSUE, PLEASE
EMAIL LGBT@TUFTS.EDU AND PUT “ALUM ANNOUNCEMENT” IN THE SUBJECT LINE.
ANNOUNCEMENTS MUST BE UNDER 40 WORDS.

TUFTS UNIVERSITY LESBIAN, GAY,
BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER CENTER
Bolles House
226 College Avenue
Medford, MA 02155
Your Address Line 4
Phone: 617-627-3770
Fax: 617-627-3579
E-mail: lgbt@tufts.edu
V I S I T O UR W E BS I TE AT
HTTP://AS E.TUF TS. E DU/ L G BT
PRIDE ON THE HILL
Looking to connect with LGBT Tufts alumni/ae, get
career advice, or find out what life is like after
Tufts? Look no further than Pride on the Hill (POTH),
Tufts’ own LGBT alumni/ae organization.
To stay informed about POTH events, sign up for our
email list at http://ase.tufts.edu/lgbt/alumni/
index.aspx . You can also check the POTH web site at
www.prideonthehill.org, or find the group on
Facebook.
Pride on the Hill will be hosting an LGBT Alumni Trivia
Night in late March--details will arrive via the alumni email
listserv soon!
Save the Date! Graduation Weekend LGBT Alumni
Reception, May 22nd from 3-6pm at the Tufts LGBT Center,
Medford, MA
The programs and services of The LGBT Center support the needs of lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender students, faculty, staff and alumni of Tufts University. The
Center is available to anyone on campus interested in learning more about LGBTrelated
subjects or issues of sexual and gender identity. The Center is committed to
maintaining LGBT visibility on campus and providing campus-wide education on
sexual and gender identity and the effects of homophobia.
Our services include advocacy on behalf of LGBT students; counseling and referrals
to students in need; information about resources available to LGBT people on and
off-campus; research assistance with topics relating to sexuality; a student outreach
and education team (Team Q); trainings and workshops for faculty, staff, or student
groups; email lists networking people affiliated with Tufts University; and programming
that reflects the diversity of students at Tufts.
The LGBT Center works collaboratively with many groups on campus, including
the Dean of Students Office, the Women's Center, the Asian American Center, the
Latino Center, the Africana Center, the Office of Residential Life and Learning, the
Hillel Center and the Tufts Chaplaincy.
Drop by the Center and enjoy a comfortable and safe space dedicated to supporting
and celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer identities.
GET TO KNOW THE CENTER
The Tufts LGBT Center is home to more than just the LGBT
News. Five different student groups meet in the meeting
room on the second floor (see below). In addition, the
Center’s library contains close to 600 books, films and TV
shows that students may check out. Students can access the
LGBT Center library through the Tisch Library website at:
www.library.tufts.edu/Tisch/otherTuftsCollections.html
or via LibraryThing at
www.librarything.com/catalog/TuftsLGBT.
Want to donate your LGBT films or books?
Please email us at lgbt@tufts.edu, we love to grow our
LGBT collection!