This week, Hopkins published an OUTList – a list of LGBT students and faculty – on the University's website. This was a productive and positive step. As intellectual centers, universities should marshal social change and understanding. Hopkins has made its symbolic commitment to the LGBT community clear by creating the list.
There are several practical benefits of creating this list. Current LGBT students will be able to recognize students and faculty within their respective departments, thus initiating greater dialogue. Even though LGBT groups on campus are an effective outlet for some of these concerns, it is often easier to speak to someone with whom one has regular contact. Additionally, the fact that the University published the list shows that Hopkins as an institution is committed to LGBT persons. This will ease concerns of prospective students about the LGBT friendliness of campus. It also gives prospective students a chance to see that there are LGBT persons in many departments across many roles.
It takes a great deal of courage to put one's sexual orientation on a public list. That students and faculty have done so is a testament to the fact that they are willing to go the extra mile in making people from all walks of life feel comfortable with their sexual identities.
