Waxing, Waning, and Moving

A constant thread throughout the existence of the GPA lounge was its profession as a space that existed for students to safely explore and express their identities. However, hostility toward gay and lesbian students and the GPA often seemed to be directed at the GPA office in Jones. Many logbook entries describe how signs to the office were often torn down and in one instance even burned. These acts were carried out in addition to other posters put up by the GPA advertising events being torn down.  

GPA holds community responsible

January 1981 article describing the burning of GPA office signs. 

The strong, active use of the lounge by the GPA around its founding in the late 1970s seems to have gave way to a less active period in terms of usage. This pattern of lounge usage, where the group recedes in activity and popularity, and then gains it again, is typical of not only the GPA, but other student groups at Haverford and other colleges like it. This pattern is exemplified by the lack of log book entries, as well a February 1985 article stating that the GPA has "opened an office," despite it having existed before, implying that the office had been inactive for some period of time. Despite the apparent period of relative inactivity, the office continued to serve the same basic purposes as a place for a library as well as socializing. 

Gay People's Alliance opens office

February 1985 advertisement for the GPA office. 

With the construction of the Campus Center in the early 1990s, there was a large amount of space on campus shuffled around. With many student clubs moving into the new building, spaces previously occupied by them were scheduled to be vacated. This led many in the club to think they were going to be granted a space in the basement of Leeds Hall. By this time, the GPA had reformed into BGALA (Bisexual, Gay, and Lesbian Alliance). However, at the direction of the President, the group was instead granted a larger space in the basement of Jones. Listen below to Theo Posselt '94 discuss the change. 

Floor Plan of Jones Basement

A floorplan of Jones basement, showing the new location of the BGALA lounge, which continues to exist there today. The original location of the GPA office is unclear, but likely was one of the rooms (perhaps 10 or 11) next to the laundry.