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UMBC
Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery

LGBTQ+ Research Guide

A Timeline of LGBTQ+ History at UMBC

It’s not uncommon for queer folk on campus to feel lonely or without resources. This page will highlight UMBC’s queer history as well as some notable organizations founded over the years. 

Here are some notable milestones in the LGBTQ+ UMBC timeline:

In 1988, Dr. Carole McCann, a professor in the Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies, taught the first LGBTQ+ class on AIDS in the American studies department. 

In 1992, the LGB FSA (Faculty-Student Association) was formed 

In 1994, the Retriever Weekly celebrated “Coming Out” Day 

In 1995, the Freedom Alliance was founded 

In 2008, gender neutral housing was implemented

In 2014, the first lavender celebration was held to honor LGBTQ+ graduates and allies 

To learn more about LGBT FSA click here.

Other Resources at UMBC

Search Tips 

Here are two places to search through UMBC's Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery:

  • Special Collections Search
    • By clicking on the tabs in this link, it can help limit what is being searched for within the Special Collections Department.
    • One can find photography collections, finding aids, fanzines, radical literature, Maryland and regional maps, artwork and posters, university publications, books within UMBC Special Collections, and UMBC's digital collections.
  • UMBC Library Home Search
    • By clicking on the tabs, it will limit the scope of the topic being searched.

Here are some tips when searching through our library pages:

  • Finding articles
  • Advanced Search:
    • This search tool can be extremely helpful if one knows what exactly they are looking for or more specifics than just a topic.
  • Tips on making the search specific:
    • Use quotes for phrases, e.g. "Spring Grove"
    • Or, use AND for phrases, e.g. Spring AND Grove
    • For name searches, use last name, first name in quotes, e.g. "Adams, Ansel