The Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Gender and Sexual Identities is seeking nominations of individuals, departments/units or campus organizations that have made a significant impact on the LGBTQA+ community at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

The Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to the LGBTQA+ Community was first presented in 2000 and recognizes outstanding efforts to create an inclusive, respectful, and safe climate for the queer and trans community on campus. Students, faculty, staff, organizations and departments/units at Nebraska may all be nominated for contributions. Previous nominees may be re-nominated.

“The creation of this award and support from the chancellor helped recognize our community and the importance of the contributions being made to help make Nebraska a welcoming and inclusive community for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities,” said Pat Tetreault, director of the Gender and Sexuality Center. “The recognition this award provides is an acknowledgement of the commitment and caring of the recipients to rectify the historical exclusion and marginalization of our community.”

Examples of such efforts might include:

• advocating for LGBTQA+ individuals, groups, and issues in UNL campus settings;

• promoting the professional advancement of LGBTQA+ faculty and staff members, and encouraging and supporting the recognition of service contributions beyond those normally expected;

• commitment to creating projects that promote greater awareness of LGBTQA+ issues, including actual and potential oppression, within the university; and

• designing activities and programs that convey an active commitment to diversity and inclusion, personal safety and mutual respect for, and among, LGBTQA+ students, faculty, and staff.

Nominations require name and contact information of the nominee and three letters of support, including one from the nominator. The deadline is March 1. All nominees and award recipients will be honored at Lavender Graduation, planned for April 28.

Learn more about the Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to the LGBTQA+ Community.

For more information, contact Jared Ludwig at jared.ludwig@unl.edu.