Dear Pacific Lutheran University Community,
As LGBTQ faculty and staff and their allies at PLU, we write to express our outrage at the rise in bigotry and hate speech in the wake of the 2016 presidential election. We are committed to actively realizing the university’s mission of thoughtful inquiry, service, leadership and care for others, our communities and the earth. Â
In order to fully achieve this goal, we call on all members of the PLU community to pay attention, speak out and act bravely to work against inequity, discrimination and oppression wherever they may reside, whether on or off campus.
In the wake of the 2016 presidential election, LGBTQ students, faculty and staff face a possible future where recently won victories are under serious threat: homophobic legislation that had been widely contested, such as legitimation of conversion therapy, legalized refusal of service and discriminatory employment laws now find new potential advocates in the highest ranks of government. The current fight against transphobic violence and legislation, such as the North Carolina HB2 Bathroom Bill, will now require a renewed vigilance and commitment to counteract hateful rhetoric and exclusionary ideologies.
Rather than simply advocate for the rights and lives of the LGBTQ community, it is essential that we forge solidarity among all vulnerable communities.
We stand with those who are particularly targeted at this time: the trans community, especially trans people of color; those who hold DACA or undocumented status, refugees, and asylum-seekers; members of the Muslim community; members of racially and ethnically marginalized groups, as well as women and children. Â
In this light, we must remember the lessons learned from queer, trans and women of color activists and continue to center intersectional approaches to our activism and allyship that embody the diversity of backgrounds and belief systems of LGBTQ people and their allies.
For our LGBTQ students, we invite you to seek us out if you are in need of support or resources. Â For bold and sincere allies in the struggle to build justice for all, we also stand with you.
PLU student activists always welcome new energy and ideas, and we urge students to check out QASU [Queer Ally Student Union, qasu@plu.edu] and other campus student organizations that work to reduce bigotry and discriminations of all kinds.
Finally, for anyone seeking further resources, consider contacting these additional organizations that serve our community:
PLU Trans Taskforce: Tolu Taiwo taiwota@plu.edu (253) 538-6303
Counseling Center: counseling@plu.edu  (253) 535-7206
PLU After-Hour Counseling Center: (253) 535-7075
Rainbow Center: info@rainbowcntr.org  (253) 383-2318
24-Hour Crisis Hotline: 1 (800) 346-755
Sincerely,
LGBTQ Identified Faculty and Staff of PLU
Rayne Allinson, Assistant Professor of History
Rick Barot, Associate Professor of English; Director, MFA Program in Creative Writing
Brandi Gordon Bennett, Head Softball Coach
Rachel Betron, Resident Director for Hong and Hinderlie Halls
Abigail Blankner, Transfer Student Advisor
Ryan Branchini, Admission, Advising, and Certification Coordinator
Jennifer Childress-White, Head Women’s Basketball Coach
Dawn Cuthbertson, Gender Based Violence Advocate
Alex Domine, Assistant Director of Annual Giving
Antonios Finitsis, Associate Professor of Religion
Asuka Goya, Web Developer
Maggie Hendrickson, Resident Director for Tingelstad Hall
Jenny James, Assistant Professor of English
Beth Kraig, Professor of History
Juliet Meggs, Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology
Saiyare Refaei, Coordinator for Sustainability Integration
Rev. Jen Rude, University Pastor
Luke Ruiz, Resident Director for South and Kreidler Halls
Nolan Ryan, Assistant Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations
David Simpson, Assistant Professor of Social Work
Nancy Simpson-Younger, Assistant Professor of English
Lace M. Smith, Executive Director of Content Development
Tolu Taiwo, Outreach and Prevention Coordinator, Center for Gender Equity
Neal Yakelis, Associate Professor of Chemistry
Affiliated Allies
Mark Albanese, Director of Sports Communication
Jim Albrecht, Professor of English
Tiffany Artime, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Ann Auman, Professor of Biology
Jp Avila, Associate Professor of Art & Design
Bradford Andrews, Associate Professor of Anthropology
Mare Blocker, Visiting Assistant Professor of Art & Design
Callista Brown, Associate Professor of English and Director of First-Year Experience Program
Wendy Call, Assistant Professor of English
Michelle Ceynar, Professor of Psychology and Vice Chair of Faculty
Teresa Ciabattari, Associate Professor of Sociology and Chair of Women’s and Gender Studies
Galen Ciscell, Visiting Assistant Professor of Sociology
Kirsten M. Christensen, Associate Professor of German, Director of Holocaust and Genocide Studies
Luann Corso, Assistant to the Director of Athletics
Beth Crippen, Senior Evaluations Administrator
Melannie Denise Cunningham, Director of Outreach & Engagement, Campus Ministry
Emily F. Davidson, Assistant Professor of Hispanic Studies
Hal DeLaRosby, Director of Academic Advising
Steve Dickerson, Head Men’s Basketball Coach
Seth Dowland, Associate Professor of Religion
Gail Egbers, Associate Professor and Instruction and Reference Librarian
Peter Ehrenhaus, Professor of Communication
Mary Ellard-Ivey, Professor of Biology
Amanda Feller, Associate Professor of Communication
Sara Finley, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Leslie Foley, Director of Academic Assistance
Adam Frye, Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach
Heather Fullerton, Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology
Joanna Gregson, Professor of Sociology and Chair of Faculty
Aaron Gunther, Â Head Athletic Trainer
Michael Halvorson, Associate Professor of History
Angie Hambrick, Assistant Vice President of Diversity, Justice, & Sustainability
Christine Hansvick, Professor of Psychology
Rachel Haxtema, TIES Program Coordinator, Center for Community Engagement and Service
Sergia Hay, Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Jody Horn, Recruiting & Outreach Manager, Career Connections
Kate Hoyt, Visiting Assistant Professor of Visual Communication
Dave Huelsbeck, Professor of Anthropology, Dean of Social Sciences
Nicole Juliano, Assistant Director of The Diversity Center
Rabbi Bruce Kadden, Lecturer, Department of Religion
Rona Kaufman, Associate Professor of English
JoDee Keller, Professor of Social Work
Kara Lanning, Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology
Heather Leque, Academic Advisor
Tiffany Lemmon, Assistant Director for Center for Community Engagement & Service
Anna Leon-Guerrero, Professor of Sociology
Jordan Levy, Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Lisa Marcus, Professor of English
Tess Matsukawa, Resident Director of Harstad Hall and RHA Advisor
Heather Mathews, Associate Professor of Art & Design
Emily McCann, Associate Director of Admission
Laura McCloud, Assistant Professor of Sociology
Rose McKenney, Professor of Geosciences and Environmental Studies
Donna Miller, Director of Career Connections
Andrea Munro, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Kevin O’Brien, Dean of Humanities, Associate Professor of Religion
Timothy O’Neill, Visiting Assistant Professor of History
Nathalie op de Beeck, Associate Professor of English
Kim O’Rourke, Senior Administrative Assistant
Carmiña Palerm, Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies
Tracy Pitt, Advising, Admission, and Student Support Coordinator, School of Nursing
Kelly Poth, Assistant Registrar
Zach Powers, Media and Content Manager
Adela Ramos, Assistant Professor of English
Juanita Reed, Director MBA and Undergraduate Programs, School of Business
Michael Rings, Visiting Assistant Professor, Philosophy
Wendy Robins, Commons Operations Manager, Hospitality Services & Campus Restaurants
Scott Rogers, Assistant Professor of English
Joanna Royce-Davis, Vice-President for Student Life
Rachel Samardich, Budget & Office Coordinator, I&TS
Heidi Schutz, Assistant Professor of Biology
Valerie Seeley, Business Operations Manager, Hospitality Services & Campus Restaurants
Shannon Seidel, Assistant Professor of Biology
Ami V. Shah, Assistant Professor of Global Studies and Anthropology
Andrea Shea, Academic Advisor
Wendelyn Shore, Professor of Psychology
Amy Siegesmund, Associate Professor of Biology
Kaitlyn Sill, Associate Professor of Politics and Government
Ksenija Simic-Muller, Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Jen Smith, Director of Center for Gender Equity and Faculty, Women’s and Gender Studies
Jennifer Spence, Visiting Instructor of Anthropology
Amy Stewart-Mailhiot, Associate Professor/Librarian
Allison Stephens, Associate Director of Academic Advising
Jes Takla, Director of Residential Programs
Amanda Taylor, Visiting Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Claire Todd, Associate Professor of Geosciences and Environmental Studies
Rob Thompson, Coordinator of Recreation
Laurie Turner, Director of Athletics & Recreation
Giovanna Urdangarain, Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies
Katherine Wiley, Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Tracy Williamson, Assistant to the Dean of Humanities
Rebecca Wilkin, Associate Professor of French
- Laree Winer, Associate Director for Student Success
Jane Wong, Visiting Assistant Professor of English
Amy Young, Associate Professor of Communication and Chair of Communication & Theatre
Joel Zylstra, Director, Center for Community Engagement and Service
P.S. We recognize that many LGBTQ identified faculty and staff as well as allies may not yet be represented as signatories here; we hope to provide further opportunities for collaboration and outreach in the Spring semester.
