GSAND at the 2018 CLT Pride Parade

LGBTQ+ Alumni Network

The Davidson LGBTQ+ Alumni Network (DLAN) serves as a source of support, advocacy, visibility, and programming for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or questioning alumni population of Davidson.

Our Goals

  • Provide opportunities for interaction among LGBTQ+ alumni and allies, through electronic communication and on- and off-campus Davidson events
  • Increase the visibility of LGBTQ+ alumni
  • Facilitate connections between LGBTQ+ alumni and current students for mentoring and advocacy for campus diversity initiatives
  • Share information about opportunities for LGBTQ+ alumni to get involved in college volunteer opportunities, such as career networking or prospective student recruitment
  • Collaborate with constituents and partner organizations at Davidson

History

The Gay-Straight Alumni Network of Davidson (GSAND) was formed following a gathering of alumni for a special interest weekend in April 2004. Approximately 60 alumni and friends of the college gathered for a lecture by William Eskridge '73, Yale law professor, legal scholar and television commentator on LGBTQ rights and same-sex marriage.

Following the high level of interest in this weekend, the Office of Alumni and Family Engagement sponsored a "Gay Life at Davidson" weekend in 2006. Approximately 40 guests attended a keynote speech by Anne Stanback '81, founding executive director of Love Makes a Family, the organization that led the fight to win marriage equality in Connecticut. The weekend included a meaningful roundtable discussion between current students and alumni, and the participants joined together to form the initial volunteer group for GSAND.

Since that time, GSAND receptions have been held during many major alumni programs, including Reunion Weekend. GSAND also organizes a marching group each year at the Charlotte Pride parade and hosts a post-parade alumni gathering. 

In January 2020, after a year-long process, the name of this identity network was transitioned to the Davidson LGBTQ+ Alumni Network in order to lend more visibility to all LGBTQ+ people and to allow flexibility to include additions to the community in the future. 

Resources

Career Resources
The Betty and B. Frank Matthews II ’49 Center for Career Development (Matthews Center) has compiled a list of resources in Handshake (login required) where you can learn about LGBTQ+ rights in the workplace, gay-friendly job search organizations and websites, industry and geographic resources, and tips for assessing the inclusivity of employers.

Student Organizations
Explore our student organizations related to issues of gender and sexuality. DLAN (formerly GSAND) partners most frequently with Queers & Allies (formerly the Gay-Straight Alliance).

Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity and Inclusion fosters mutual respect and understanding among–and for all–people of different cultures, backgrounds, experiences and worldviews, and helps the college achieve its stated commitment to diversity.

LGBTQ Caucus
A group of faculty, staff, and students at the college have come together to create the LGBTQ Caucus, a group that advocates for and supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer persons at the college by attending to the issues, ideas, social history and cultural practices that are of interest to them, and which matter to a diverse community. See the LGBTQ at Davidson page for more information.

Get Involved

Want to help lead the network, share a program idea, or help host an LGBTQ+ related chapter event in your city? If you would like to be added to the DLAN email list, please contact Sarah Taylor, associate director, at sataylor@davidson.edu.