November, 1975

Lesbian

Dr. Dolores

HIGH GEAR

An Interview With Dolores Noll

Noll is an associate professor of English at Kent State University, with a specialty in medieval literature. She has been active in the gay movement since 1971, when she helped organize and became the faculty advisor of the Kent Gay Liberation Front, one of the largest and most active student groups at Kent State. She has spoken about gay rights and lesbianism on TV and radio. shows and before numerous groups in Ohio and the Midwest. Professor Noll also has taught for credit several gay related courses in the Kent State Experimental Program: "Gay Womanhood," "The Politics of Gay Liberation," and "Sexual Minorities." Dr. Noll also has had considerable experience in advising gay persons and their relatives. An essay in which she describes her experiences as a lesbian/feminist college professor has been published in a special issue (Nov. 1975) of College English. She served as a member of the editorial board for the Arno Press series of works on lesbians and male homosexuals, issued in the fall of 1975.

High Gear: How did you first become associated with the Kent GLF, and how do you describe your current role in that organization?

Dr. Noll: I came out in the summer of 1971 in Washington, D.C. and soon after learned about a gay group at the University of Maryland. When I returned to Kent State in the fall of 1971, I had to decide whether to go to gay bars "in disguise" or come out more openly. I had both a desire and need to politically come out. To some extent, the environment was favorable for such an action. I had tenure, job security and the moral implications my decision propelled me to do what I thought was the right thing.

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I signed up as a speaker for an experimental course on gay education (credited alternative education). During the talk I announced I was gay. After a week, I informed the chairperson that I was gay, and he responded with support.

As my philosophical beliefs grew, I soon incorporated feminism into gay politics. A male student on campus heard about my openness and ap-

Feminist

proached me about starting an organization. Initially, we met at my house. Shortly thereafter, we discovered another gay group on campus headed by Gail Pertz. Our two groups combined around Christmas of 1971 and Kent Gay Liberation was formed with the separate establishment of a Women's Rap Group.

I function in KGLF as a faculty advisor and co-ordinator of The Speaker's Bureau. The structure of our organization is such that there are always two co-equal chair people one man and one woman. The steering committee meets every week and is open to all people (There are no dues or membership lists. Straights are welcome). The committee makes political and business decisions every Tuesday evening before the general meeting (8:00 p.m., Room 206 in the Kent Student Union). Our present steering committee co-ordinator is David Goodenough. KGLF's Speaker's Bureau averages 100 speeches for special interest groups, etc. The speakers we have brought to KGLF meetings include bar owners, revolutionaries, and religious advocates.

High Gear: To what do you attribute the success and "staying power" of Kent GLF?

Dr. Noll: Without meaning to sound egotistical, I think in part to myself and a few others, among them Deborah Core, David, Wendy Gaylord, and Bill Hoover, all who have been residents of Kent for the past five years. From the start, there have always been those in KGLF who were willing to contribute to the group in one way or another. Of course, it might be most easier at KSU since students are away from home... I also feel that for any college groups to be successful, it is important that faculty members get involved. Those with job and financial security can provide the necessary spark for further development.

High Gear: How would you assess the progress of the gay movement first in Ohio and then nationally?

Dr. Noll: In several cities in Ohin the gay movement has fallen behind in the last three years, and just now getting itself back together. Columbus was at its peak in 1972 as was GAA in Cleveland. The KGLF, on the other hand, has been more suc-

cessful in its consistent

presence. One reason that the gay movement has lost speed is due to the lesbian/separatist movement; another is the base and continuous turnover on college campuses.

Nationally, most groups have split; but it appears the splits are beginning to heal. Despite such setbacks, there has been significant progress. Just look at organizations like The National Gay Task Force, The Gay Academic Union, and professional caucuses like the Gay Caucus for Modern Languages. Stereotypes are being chipped away. Matlovich's trial, Elaine Noble's election to political office, and the Bella Abzug-sponsored bill in the House of Representatives have also been very important. The gay movement is more open now; but we still have a long way to go.

High Gear: Kent GLF seems to be one of few the organizations which has withstood a schism between males and feminist separatists. How?

Dr. Noll: KGLF has continued to represent both gay women and men largely because I am a woman. If I had been a man, the story might have been different. After attending a Cleveland lesbian/feminist conference sometime last year, many of the women wanted to split from KGLF. I emphatically opposed the split; however a good number of women dropped out of the organization

and simply remained inactive for a few months. There is a separatist group now, and strongly support it since it has gone beyond KGLF in my estimation. The organization is a different kind of group formed as a result of a new level of consciousness. I

continue to ask the separatist group for reciprocal support of KGLF. I am concerned that there be an organization of men and women who can work together. Thus, my major support is to KGLF.

High Gear: At the recent Bicenntenial Conference in Washington, D.C., at which you spoke, most feminists seemed to encourage reconciliation. Is this a trend?

Dr. Noll: Yes, I had the sense that it was a trend at the conference. Actually, it's a selective process. If the gay women were separatists, they would never have accepted the invitation. The trend seems to make sense for a couple of reasons. First, there is political strength in numbers, and second, the psychological development of lesbian feminists has reached a point where some can now work constructively with men. Having worked solely with women gave lesbian feminists the opportunity to assert themselves and gain self-confidence.

At the recent Indiana Gay Conference there were a number of separatists. Frankly, I don't think separatism is a bad thing; but it is necessary for some women to also be active in gay liberation.

High Gear: As a lesbian, are your first loyalties to the gay movement or the women's movement?

Dr. Noll: I think most of my energies are directed toward the gay movement; yet I still feel very much a part of the lesbian/feminist movement. I don't think the two necessarily conflict.

High Gear: You are among the few educators at major universities to come out publically. Has this threatened

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your position? Do you recorco mend such a step to otheneel especially those in prominesine positions?

Dr. Noll: It has not threatenenar my position. Perhaps the Boane I of Trustees may have wanted b get rid of me; but it would bive very difficult for a state univey c sity to terminate one solely ovee the basis of her/his sexury c preference, especially in casexu of those who have tenure. Othreal facuity here at Kent have realhir not come out yet. Yes, I do thiniaa those with prominent positionior should come out partly for thr tt movement, but mainly for what hat will do for them as individuahaa The internal tension of stayirtual in the closet makes you yourseyir the enemy. Once you come ourse any tension you may feel is dɩ du to external reasons anubi something you can't blame your yo self for.

Being involved in KGLF ha. I greatly changed my life. Itoo: given me a lover and cloaco friends, both female and maloci I'm moving in a different socicio: group now. Before I came oucc my life was much lonelier ......... don't think people should forosr themselves out of the closelos Things should really grow frosnn the inside. When you first com yo out, there exists a situation yonn can tolerate. Gay pride soo y develops, however, and yclos can't tolerate living in the closonc anymore. Everytime you conoce out a little more, you fee! freece and we all repeat that proces o periodically. No one comes os 'e of the closet all at once, exces maybe Leonard Matlovich Coming out is something you ow for yourself.