About the HGSC

The Harvard Gender and Sexuality Caucus is composed of more than 5,000 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender alumni/ae of Harvard University’s College and Graduate Schools, its faculty, staff and current students.

The HGSC was formed in 1984 as the Harvard Gay and Lesbian Caucus to pressure Harvard University to include sexual orientation in its non-discrimination policy.

HGSC's purposes include:

  • Building a sense of community among Harvard and Radcliffe gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people;
  • Maintaining and expanding a network of LGBTQ alumni/ae;
  • Pressing for a non-discriminatory and diverse academic, living and working environment at Harvard;
  • Educating others and ourselves about LGBTQ concerns and contributions;
  • Undertaking community service projects; and
  • Encouraging informal coordination among LGBTQ student groups throughout the University.

In 1985, HGSC accomplished its original goal; after meeting with Caucus members, the President and Fellows of Harvard College created a new University-wide anti-discrimination policy that included discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
In 2013, in response to increasing feedback from our membership, to changing norms in LGBT culture, and to align ourselves with the site of Harvard University’s LGBTQ studies, the Committee on Studies on Women, Gender and Sexuality, the HGLC changed its name to the Harvard Gender and Sexuality Caucus. 

Other HGSC activities:

  • The establishment of The Open Gate Foundation in 1987, a fund for gay and lesbian life at Harvard University;
  • Lobbying Harvard to offer benefits to same-sex partners of its employees, which were finally extended in 1993;
  • Launching the Harvard Gay and Lesbian Review (now known as the Gay and Lesbian Review, Inc.) in 1994, a bi-monthly journal of literature and ideas;
  • Supporting the opening of the QSA Resource Center in the fall of 1996;
  • Awarding the annual HGSC Public Service Fellowship; 
  • Honoring Harvard affiliates for contributions to the LGBTQ community; and
  • Supporting the study of the LGBTQ studies at Harvard by supporting the Matthiessen Chair, an endowed chair which brings visiting faculty to Harvard in this field.

Any Harvard/Radcliffe affiliates who support our mission are welcome to join the Caucus regardless of sexual orientation. Although the Caucus is intended mainly for alumni/ae, faculty, and staff, full-time students are also eligible for associate (non-voting) membership. Membership includes three issues of the Caucus Newsletter, a monthly online E-Newsletter, access to our online membership directory, local chapter events, as well as an invitation to our annual Commencement dinner in May.
Dues are voluntary and only $20 a year. For an additional $15 (a 25% discount), members receive six issues of the Gay and Lesbian Review.