Academic Panel – Saturday March 30, 2019 – Solidarity & Identify

Posted on March 27, 2019 by GALA Chair

In conjunction with the ND Department of American Studies, GALA will host a panel discussion called Solidarity & Identity during the 2019 LGBT Leadership Award Weekend.

In his book, Fr. Martin’s call for ‘Bridge Building’ between the LGBTQ community and the institutional Church echoes the Catholic Social Teaching principle of Solidarity. Readers are invited to examine the experience from each side’s perspective, and to find common ground to move forward.

Solidarity is not just a faith concept – it is also a method of political change. Past and current movements in the LGBTQ community and the church have built solidarity with other communities, such as immigrants or the labor movement, in their fight for civil rights.

Solidarity speaks to our ideas of dignity, faith, and the common good. Our panel will explore different examples of movements and reach toward an understanding of their goals, results, and philosophies.

Speakers Include: Fr. James Martin (via Skype), Professor Michael Hebbeler, and Shelly Fitzgerald.

Location: Andrews Auditorium Geddes Hall
Time: 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Registration: No advance registration is required. The event is free and open to everyone

2019 LGBTQ Leadership Awards Announced

Posted on January 22, 2019 by GALA Chair

Award Dinner Registration Now Closed

GALA ND/SMC is pleased to announce the 2019 Thomas Dooley and LGBTQ Leadership Award recipients. This year’s award recipients are:

Thomas A. Dooley Award – Father James Martin S.J.
Distinguished Service Award – Pete Buttigieg, Mayor of South Bend
Distinguished Alumni Award – John Sullivan ND Law ’83

The individuals will be recognized at a dinner and ceremony on the Notre Dame campus on Saturday March 30th starting at 6:30pm. Registration is now closed. Go to: 2019 LGBTQ Awards Dinner.

The award ceremony is just part of the overall LGBTQ Leadership Award Weekend Celebration taking place Friday March 29th through Sunday March 31st.

In addition to the Awards Dinner and Ceremony, other activities taking place over the weekend include:

Alumni/Student Networking Event – Friday March 29 – 8:00pm
Academic Panel – Saturday March 30 – 1:00pm
Alumni Social – Saturday March 30 – 10:30pm
Mass – Sunday March 31 – 10:00am

2019 Tom Dooley Award Event Being Planned

Posted on January 9, 2019 by GALA Chair

Every two years GALA ND/SMC recognizes individuals who have made contributions to the LGBTQ community. Planning is now underway to announce the 2019 Thomas Dooley Award and LGBT Leadership Award recipients during a weekend in South Bend in Spring ’19.

The weekend will include the awards ceremony and an academic panel related to the award recipient’s work. Stay tuned for the “Save-The-Date” announcement!

Fourth Annual NYC LGBT Student Scholarship Benefit – November 18, 2018 – Save The Date!

Posted on July 6, 2018 by GALA Chair

GALA ND/SMC, is pleased to announce the Fourth Annual NYC LGBT Student Scholarship Benefit to take place on Sunday November 18, 2018 at 4:00pm. The benefit will be hosted once again by Phil Donahue ’57 and his wife Marlo Thomas’ at their beautiful apartment overlooking Central Park.

Join fellow alumni and friends for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and camaraderie to raise money for the LGBT Student Scholarship Fund. Since the fund’s inception, members & friends have contributed over $115,000 of the $250,000 target. Our goal for this year’s event is $50,000. The featured guest will be 2018/2019 Scholarship Recipient Tim Jacklich ND ’20.

The weekend coincides with the Shamrock Series game being played at Yankee Stadium on Saturday November 17th. Come to NYC for the weekend and join us in raising money for the scholarship fund!

Registration will be open later in the summer, but make your plans now to attend. If you are unable to attend in person, you can still participate by making a donation to the scholarship fund here: GALA ND/SMC Giving

For more info go to 2018 Scholarship Benefit.

Saint Mary’s Reunion Panel – Saturday June, 2018 – 3:30pm

Posted on June 2, 2018 by GALA Chair

On Saturday, June 2nd, join Saint Mary’s alums for SMC’s Reunion 2018 LGBTQ alumnae panel and group discussion 3:30-4:30pm in Spes Unica room 145. The event will be livestreamed at GALA ND/SMC’s Facebook group, so join virtually if you can’t be there in person.

In addition to the panel discussion, those gathered will talk more about the new Saint Mary’s-focused group, SMC LGBTQ Alumnae and Allies.

ND Reunion Panel: Inclusion & Diversity at Notre Dame – Join The Conversation – Saturday, June 2, 2018 – 9:00am

Posted on April 26, 2018 by GALA Chair

As a Notre Dame community, we have an obligation to ensure that the principles of diversity and inclusion for people of all colors, genders, faiths, sexual orientations, social or economic class, and nationality are welcome and supported. Join diverse members from a variety of ND alumni communities (Black, Hispanic, LGBT, Asian Pacific and Native American) as we discuss this critically important and relevant topic. Panel sponsored by GALA ND/SMC, the Gay and Lesbian Alumni/ae of the University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College. MODERATOR: Bryan Ricketts ’16, ’17, GALA ND/SMC Vice-Chair Membership

The event will be held on Saturday June 2nd at 9:00am in DeBartolo, room # 126. All alumni & friends are welcome! To see the event info on the ND Alumni Reunion Seminar Website, go here.

Notre Dame Day – 2018

Posted on April 18, 2018 by GALA Chair

In its 5th year, Notre Dame Day is a chance for our LGBT Alumni community to celebrate and give back to what we love at the University. Give a gift of $10 or more and receive 5 votes to distribute. We encourage you to donate and vote for PrismND, the LGBT student group. Help them raise funds for programming and for a portion of the $1.1M matching funds!!!

Update: Through the generous contributions of our alumni community and others, PrismND was able to raise ~$2,000 in direct contributions & $5,000 in matching funds!!!!

GALA ND/SMC DC Area LGBT Alumni Social – Sunday March 11, 2018 – 3:00pm

Posted on February 6, 2018 by GALA Chair

GALA will be holding an Alumni Social on Sunday March 11th to bring together DC Area Alums & Friends. This will be a casual get-together of light appetizers and drinks. The event is hosted by Bob Davidson ’76 at his beautiful home in Chevy Chase MD. Come and join other alums to catch up and talk about future events and activities in the area.

The event will start at 3:00pm and run until 6:00pm. Bob’s home is located at 4308 Stanford St, Chevy Chase MD, 20815. There is plenty of on-street parking and is a short walk from the local Metro stop (Bethesda Station) using the Red Line.

Our host will be providing the main food and beverages, and invites guests to bring an appetizer or light dessert “pot-luck” style if they desire. For more info and to register, go to GALA DC Alumni Social or email Bob directly at Robertdcc@Gmail.com.

ND/Miami Game Watches in Chicago & NYC – Saturday November 11, 2017

Posted on November 7, 2017 by GALA Chair

GALA is happy to sponsor two game watches for the very important matchup between Notre Dame and Miami on Saturday November 11th.

New York City – Join your Fighting Irish LGBT NYC alumni family to hear (from some of us) about what the heated rivalry was really like back in 1989 and hopefully watch ND get another W. As with previous game watches, Boxers in Chelsea (37 West 20th St) will be the venue. Kickoff is at 8:00 pm. And don’t forget to wear your ND attire!

Chicago – GALA members, and LGBTQ & ally members of the ND family: Let’s catch up over a few beers and watch the Irish beat the Hurricanes! If you’ve ever wished the ND LGBTQ community had events in Chicago, you enjoy Irish football, or you just want to connect with fellow alums, come join us Saturday evening at Declan’s! Look for the table with a pride flag on it (near the back).

ND Magazine – Letter to the Editor on Tom Dooley Award Weekend

Posted on October 6, 2017 by GALA Chair

In the Autumn 2017 edition of the Notre Magazine, Liam Dacey ’04, GALA ND/SMC Board member, wrote a “letter to the editor” on the 2017 Tom Dooley Award Weekend. In the letter, Liam talks about the significance of the award in recognizing Kristen Matha and her contribution to the LGBT community. To read the full piece, go to: ND Magazine Letter To The Editor-Autumn 2017.

LGBT Student Scholarship Campaign Hits $100,000 Milestone

Posted on October 4, 2017 by GALA Chair

On September 24th, GALA ND/SMC held our Third Annual NYC LGBT Scholarship Fundraiser. The event was hosted once again by Phil Donahue ’57 and his wife Marlo Thomas’ in their beautiful apartment overlooking Central Park.

Due to the generosity of everyone attending, the Scholarship Campaign has now hit the $100,000 milestone of the targeted $250,000 endowment goal. Thanks to everyone who has donated throughout the program including members who have contributed through the “Enhanced Membership” levels.

To donate, go to: LGBT Scholarship Campaign or upgrade your membership level here.

Adoptapalooza – NYC’s Pet Adoption Event – Sunday September 17, 2017 – 8:45am-1:00pm

Posted on August 21, 2017 by GALA Chair

On Sunday September 17^th, the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals is holding their signature pet adoption event Adoptapalooza in Union Square Park (Broadway and East 17th St).

As part of GALA ND/SMC NYC Community Service Program, join other alums and friends to help make this event a success and see many of these pets be adopted by deserving families in NYC.

To register by Monday August 29th, go to: Adoptapalooza Community Service Event. Even if you can’t volunteer for the whole time, come for a few hours and help out. For more info, contact Martin van Koolbergen at mvan@kgmlighting.com and at 310-291-9726, or go to: Pet Adoption Volunteer Opportunity.

Third Annual NYC LGBT Student Scholarship Benefit – September 24, 2017

Posted on June 24, 2017 by GALA Chair

GALA ND/SMC is pleased to announce the Third Annual NYC LGBT Student Scholarship Benefit on Sunday September 24, 2017. The benefit will take place once again at Phil Donahue ’57 and his wife Marlo Thomas’ beautiful apartment overlooking Central Park. Join fellow alumni and friends for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and camaraderie to raise money for the student scholarship.

Registration is now open. Tickets are now available for both the main event and a special VIP Reception. For more info and to register, go to: 2017 NYC Scholarship Benefit.

The benefit will be part of a full weekend of activities starting Friday evening September 22th through Sunday September 24th. More info is available at 2017 NYC Alumni Fall Weekend. Plan your trip to NYC now!!