NEWS & NOTES
B
oston College’s LGBTQ+ Alumni Council, the Alumni Association’s newest affinity group, hit the ground running in its first year, hosting three virtual events for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer Eagles and their allies. Built from the roots of a network of LGBTQ+ alumni who’d organized outside the University for decades, the Council seeks to create an active and inclusive community for LGBTQ+ alumni and allies, as well as to be a resource for the University. “LGBTQ+ alumni are eager to have an outlet to connect with each other and to support students,” says Laura DelloStritto ’13, co-chair of the Council. “I couldn’t have imagined as an undergrad that we’d have this group recognized by the University. It’s been exciting to see.” Co-chair Matt Putorti ’06 acknowledges that BC’s LGBTQ+ alumni had varying experiences at the Heights: “Some were out at BC, others were not; some felt welcomed and others did not. The Council is a way for us to support and affirm our connections to each other and to help make BC a better place for LGBTQ+ people.” Plans are already underway for another busy year. To learn more about new events and get involved, visit bc.edu/lgbtqalumni.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
CO-CHAIRS
a look at the
Laura DelloStritto ’13 (Any pronouns)
Matt Putorti ’06 (He/Him/His)
Veer Alwani ’19 (He/Him/His, They/Them)
Martin Casiano ’15 (He/Him/His)
Kelly DaltonCooney ’09 (She/Her/Hers, They/Them)
Liz Creamer ’14, MEd’15 (She/ Her/Hers)
Larry Holodak ’84 (He/Him/His)
Lisa Kahlman ’02 (Any pronouns)
Nick Minieri ’16 (He/Him/His)
Helene NortonRussell ’00, MA’02 (She/Her/ Hers, They/Them)
Chris Ramirez ’19 (He/Him/His)
Paul Wendel ’08 (He/Him/His)
Symone Varnado ’19 (She/Her/Hers)
The Executive Committee intentionally seeks to represent the diversity in age, race, ethnicity, sexuality, and gender identity among the LGBTQ+ community.
LGBTQ+ ALUMNI COUNCIL BY THE NUMBERS
13 52
Executive Committee members
3
virtual events hosted in first year
400+
alumni, parents, and friends on email list