As part of the 2019 ND Alumni reunion, Dolly Duffy, NDAA Executive Director, welcomed LGBTQ alums back to campus with an inclusive message on Twitter:
To our LGBTQ alumni as we celebrate Reunion: Your journey and witness enrich the experience of every one of us at Notre Dame. Please know that wherever life takes you, you always have a home here at Notre Dame.
To see the full tweet and the associated video, go here.
GALA exists to promote the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people within the ND and SMC communities, and true to that principle, we are pleased to announce the kick-off of an internal inclusion initiative for GALA! We’ve had many discussions about our priorities for being more inclusive in the last few months and below, we’d like to share some of the initiatives we’ll be tackling this year. We’re excited to make this organization even better in 2019! If you have any questions, concerns, ideas to share, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
For the next year, our strategy will be divided into three efforts:
To get your feedback, we will host two virtual town halls to connect live and answer questions and comments. Please see here for more information on how to connect for members during these two sessions.
There is also comment page (available here for members) for you to provide written comments anytime before June 30 at 11:59 pm ET.
For complete information on these important changes, go to: GALA-ND/SMC Pride Month (June 2019) Newsletter & Announcement.
On Saturday April 27th GALA-ND/SMC sponsored our Second Annual DC Area Alumni Social. The event was hosted by Bob Davidson ’76 and his partner Amir at their beautiful home in Chevy Chase MD. Over 15 Alums & Friends gathered for a fun afternoon of light appetizers, drinks and great conversation.
GALA ND/SMC hosted the 2019 LGBTQ Leadership Award Weekend to recognize and honor LGBTQ leaders in the Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s community. The celebration took place Friday March 29th through Sunday March 31st.
Included in the weekend’s events were an Alumni/Student Networking Event, an Academic Panel and the Tom Dooley/LGBTQ Leadership Award Dinner & Ceremony.
For a complete weekend recap, including images press coverage and videos, go to 2019 LGBTQ Leadership Award Weekend.
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.
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:
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:
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!
GALA ND/SMC, the LGBT alumni group for the University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College, held the Fourth Annual NYC LGBT Student Scholarship Benefit on Sunday November 18, 2018. The benefit took place at Phil Donahue ’57 and his wife Marlo Thomas’ beautiful apartment overlooking Central Park.
The money raised at the event went to the LGBT Student Scholarship Fund which was created in the spring of 2015 to assist qualified LGBT undergraduate students of Saint Mary’s and Notre Dame. Through the generosity of the alums and friends who attended we have now gone over the $150,000 Milestone!!
The guest speaker at the benefit was 2018/2019 Scholarship Recipient Tim Jacklich ’20. Tim talked about his experience at Notre Dame as a gay student, and the support he’s received from his dormmates, fellow glee club members and the campus ministry staff. He also talked about the importance of the continued help from our LGBT alumni members both as role models as well as our on-going financial assistance.
For pictures of the event, go to: 2018 Scholarship Benefit.
Every two years, GALA ND/SMC honors one of the university’s most deserving alums Tom Dooley through an award in his name. The Thomas A. Dooley Award honors individuals who, through their faith-based background, have demonstrated personal courage, compassion and commitment to advance the human and civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans.
We are currently seeking nominations from our members for the 2019 Award, which will be announced at a dinner and award ceremony in April 2019. If you know of someone who you believe meets the criteria, complete this nomination form: 2019 Dooley Nomination. Please submit all nominations by Sunday November 11, 2018.
If you have questions, or to submit the nomination, reach out to Jack Bergen GALA ND/SMC Board Member at jack.bergen@yahoo.com.
GALA ND/SMC is happy to sponsor our Fourth Annual New York City Alumni Fall Weekend from November 16 to November 18, 2018. There are a number of planned events for GALA members and friends to enjoy over the weekend. Registration for all events is now open!
For complete weekend information and to register for the events, go to: 2018 NYC Alumni Weekend.
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.
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.
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.
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n 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 is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018/2019 LGBT Student Scholarships. This year’s recipients are Anne Jarrett ND ’20 and Tim Jacklich ND ’20. Congratulations to both winners!
For more information on each recipient, go to LGBT Student Scholarship and to the front-page article in the Observer Wednesday April 25, 2018.
The 2018 GALA ND/SMC Officer elections are now completed. Thanks to everyone who voted and congratulations to the new officer team! This is one of the most diverse group of officers our organization will have.
The 2018-2020 Officers are:
To see each of their bios, go to 2018-2012 Officers. The new officers will assume responsibility as of May 1, 2018 following a transition during the month of April.
Board Changes
In addition to new officers, we welcome Chris Becker, Associate Professor in the Department of Film, Television, and Theatre, as a new board member representing ND faculty. Chris replaces Ave Preacher who recently stepped down from this role. Also departing the board is Bryan Ricketts as he assumes his role as Vice-Chair Membership.
We want to thank these individuals in volunteering for these important roles, and are all looking forward to the leadership each of them brings to our LGBT Alumni community.
The Winter 2018 Newsletter was published on March 8, 2018. The newsletter includes a number of current-interest topics as well as upcoming events. To view the full publication, go to: Winter 2018 Newsletter.
Starting in February 2018, The NYC chapter of GALA ND/SMC is kicking off their monthly alumni socials called “Third Thursday Thing”.
The club will meet the Third Thursday of each month from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Rise Bar in Hell’s Kitchen to enjoy lively conversation, network with old friends, and meet new alums in the area. All are welcome!
For more information, go to: NYC Club Social Events
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.
Every two years GALA ND/SMC conducts elections for all officer positions. In 2018, elections will be taking place during March and we are looking for individuals to fill these roles. This is a great opportunity to take a leadership role in driving engagement for the Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s LGBT alumni & friends community. In addition, you get to play a key role in helping to strengthen our relationships with many key partner organizations both on campus and around the country.
Election Timeframe (Tentative)
WE CAN USE YOUR HELP!! The successfully elected individual is asked to make a two-year commitment, participate on monthly officer calls and attend major events for their position. The formal position descriptions can be found at: GALA Constitution. Regardless of the specific roles, all officers are encouraged to get involved in whatever way they feel they can make a difference. The positions available are as follows:
In addition to these elected positions, our group also has several other volunteer opportunities:
For more information, and to nominate either yourself or another alum by February 20th, go to: 2018-2012 Officer Elections.