Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance (Smith College)

The Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance grew out of events in the 1970s. In 1973, the newly fomed Women's Resource Center hosted Smith College's first "Women's Weekend," at which a workshop on lesbianism was held. From this workshop an underground organization called Sophia's Sisters was founded. This organization was denied chartering and funding, and unable to create a visible campus presence, was forced to disband in 1975. The Lesbian Alliance was founded the following year and chartered in 1977 by Jennet Inglis and Liza McKinley. Despite frequent hostility and funding difficulties, the organization grew. In 1984, the college administration closed Hover House, a predominantly lesbian resident house. However, by this time, the Alliance had a foothold on campus and was gaining widespread acceptance. In 1988, as bisexual women gained more visibility and the lesbian/gay rights movements expanded, the Lesbian Alliance officially changed its name to the Lesbian Bisexual Alliance. The organization changed its name to Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance sometime between 1999 and 2002.

From the description of Records of the Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance, 1976-2002. (Smith College). WorldCat record id: 52235073