Better Learned Than Legislated: Increasing Queer Institutional Power at the University of Florida, 1982–1995

• In Event: Activism in Higher Education in the Late 20th Century

Abstract

Fruitfully grappling with the complexity of contemporary issues of social justice in education requires intimate knowledge of their historical roots. This historical case study, anchored by the oral histories of queer activists, is designed to reveal the complex inner-workings of a queer rights movement amongst faculty, staff, and students in an a large public institution of higher education during a critical juncture in queer acceptance on campus, offering insight into how queer people and allies maneuvered within largely homophobic higher education institutions to incrementally change both minds and laws. This paper is of both historical and modern significance as queer people continue to struggle to claim and maintain their civil rights and human dignities both on and off college campuses.

Author

• Brittney Leigh Beck, University of Florida