During the weekend of April 30-May 2, more than 30 faculty members from 13 campuses in the California State University system gathered at Humboldt State University in Arcata for three days of discussion, debate and planning related to teaching lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender studies in the CSU system.

Organized by Eric Rofes from Humboldt State University and Nan Alamilla Boyd from Sonoma State University, the "CSU Cross-Campus Collaboration on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Studies" drew faculty from campuses in Bakersfield, Channel Islands, Chico, Dominguez Hills, Fresno, Humboldt, Monterey Bay, Northridge, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, San Marcos and Sonoma.

HSU initiated a multicultural queer studies minor earlier this year and is the second CSU campus with such a program.

"This workshop has been the map to find a hidden treasure of the CSU system — a surprising wealth of expertise and energy around the teaching of sexualities as they intersect with race, class, gender, ethnicity, nationality and bodies," said Sara E. Cooper, assistant professor from Chico State, at the close of the weekend. "This positive and energetic gathering was exactly what I needed to envision an exciting present and future, despite all of the obstacles we are facing at this moment."

Faculty gathered in large and small groups to discuss teaching strategies, curricular development and the creation of new GLBT minors on several CSU campuses.

Activities included workshops on transgender studies and queer globalization as well as a range of discussion topics including "managing the double burden of queer service," "dealing with hostile students" and "disclosing identities."

Mike Gorman, assistant professor of social work from San Jose State University said, "I found that the structure of the weekend worked to facilitate thoughtful and, at times, provocative conversation about areas of important interest: curriculum, pedagogy, student support and support for fellow faculty members. I find I leave with a sense of satisfaction, excitement and enthusiasm."
The weekend was funded by the CSU Institute for Teaching and Learning, which promotes initiatives that bring together CSU faculty members across campuses or throughout the CSU system to develop stronger curricula and more effective instructional approaches.

The participants initiated several projects over the weekend, including the establishment of a CSU queer studies Web site (home.csumb.edu/r/reicharddavid/world/csuqs/gateway.html), an Internet listserv and a commitment to gather again in 2005 in Southern California for continuing discussions about queer studies in the CSU system.

Leilani Hall, an assistant professor of English at CSU Northridge, said, "The force behind the conference was clearly the exchange of knowledge that positioned the tremendous and varied needs of our CSU campuses. I am moved by the willingness to acknowledge the queer self in a place of both peril and power, and I look forward to our future dialogue."