President Buxton: Taking Pride in a safe and welcoming community for everyone

Durham Technical Community College
Jun 14, 2021


To the Durham Tech College Community: 

The events in June 1969 at the Stonewall Inn in New York are recognized as the beginnings of the movement for equality and justice for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) community. These events led to what has been more than a 50-year fight for equality and a commitment to every individual’s dignity and worth – and this moment in our history is why June is recognized as Pride Month in this country. 

At Durham Tech, we stand for and strive to reflect these values. Our pledge is to be a safe and welcoming campus for all and our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is enshrined in our Equity and Inclusion Action Plan.  

We are grateful for the work of our SPECTRUM Club, an active Student Government Association organization with the mission to advocate for and support the needs of Durham Tech’s LGBTQ+ community. SPECTRUM provides a framework for support and a place to share common concerns and experiences. It is a social club that serves as a place for the LGBTQ+ community to get to know one another while discussing topics and sharing perspectives, doing volunteer work/community service, and joining the larger LGBTQ+ community and allies for events like NC Pride. 
 
The College is taking additional steps to deepen our commitment to ensuring a safe and welcoming campus environment: 

  • The College’s Council on Committees has recently approved a Safe Zone Committee whose mission is to create and sustain a culture of advocacy, inclusion, and accessibility for members of the LGBTQ+ community;
  • Our Student Government Association will continue to host Let’s Talk About It sessions this fall, including focused sessions for LGBTQ+ students; and
  • In Fall 2021, we plan to create Employee Resources Groups, starting with an LGBTQIA+ group. 

At Durham Tech, we want an environment for student success that is second to none. Critical to this goal are campus spaces and experiences that are welcoming and create a sense of belonging for all of our students, faculty, staff, and community partners. Thank you for your role in making that goal a reality.   

J.B. Buxton,

Durham Tech President