The Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance grew out of several significant events in the 1970s. In 1973, the newly formed 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 being unable to create a visible campus presence, was forced to disband in 1975. The Lesbian Alliance (LBA) was founded the following year (and chartered in 1977) by Jennet Inglis and Liza McKinley, both Class of 1978. 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 LBA had a strong 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 the Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance (LBTA) sometime between 1999 and 2002 (exact date is unknown).
From the guide to the Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance Records RG 80., 1976-2003, (Smith College Archives)
