The Academy’s Role in LGBTQ+ Rights and Representation: A Focus on Midwest Activism

Higher education institutions have played a pivotal role in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, providing spaces for activism, research, and community-building. Our Flyover Country exhibit highlights the significant contributions of Midwest universities to this movement.

Iowa State University was home to the first LGBTQ+ student organization and hosted the inaugural MBLGTACC conference, a groundbreaking event that brought together LGBTQ+ students from across the region—and now the entire country. The University of Michigan established the first university-sponsored LGBTQ+ campus center and held the first Lavender Graduation celebration, recognizing the achievements of LGBTQ+ graduating students.

Student activists such as Judy Greenspan and Kathy Kozachenko, who were active in Madison, Wisconsin, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, respectively, made history by running for public office. Greenspan and Kozachenko were pioneers, paving the way for future generations of LGBTQ+ elected officials.

The Academy has been a crucial site for LGBTQ+ research, too. Alfred Kinsey’s groundbreaking research into human sexuality, much of which was conducted with the help of students, challenged societal norms and sparked important conversations about sexuality and gender.

Flyover Country is the perfect way to celebrate the rich history of LGBTQ+ activism on college campuses and inspire future generations of queer leaders. Let’s honor the legacy of these trailblazers and continue to fight for a more just and equitable world.