SAA Council Supports Equal Civil and Human Rights
That shouldn’t be a surprising headline, I hope. The Society of American Archivists’ Council made a clear statement this weekend, I think, in response to a request from SAA’s Diversity Committee and Lesbian and Gay Archives Roundtable (background here, if you need it).
In response to a Discussion item submitted by the Diversity Committee and Lesbian and Gay Archives Roundtable, revised SAA’s “Equal Opportunity/Non-discrimination Policy” to include in protected categories “gender identity/expression,” “religion,” “sexual orientation,” and “veteran status” and adopted a resolution that “reaffirms [the SAA Council’s] commitment to the principle that human and civil rights are immutable and inherent in each individual and should not be abridged by political manipulation, social attitudes, or prevailing opinion…. and reaffirms its commitment to equal opportunity, non-discrimination, and civil and human rights for all of its members….” From the support statement: “In revising the Equal Opportunity/Non-discrimination Policy and adopting this resolution, SAA clearly asserts the principle that all of our members, including our gay and lesbian members, deserve full human and civil rights, and commits itself to working toward the realization of those rights by whatever practical means are appropriate to a professional organization. We encourage ongoing dialogue and suggestions for further activities that will make SAA as inclusive an organization as possible.” To view the revised Equal Opportunity/Non-discrimination Policy, go to: http://www.archivists.org/governance/handbook/app_b.asp To view the newly adopted Council resolution, go to: http://www.archivists.org/statements/EOPolicy.asp.
This is great news, I think, and helps make SAA an organization that its members, and the profession, can be proud of. I suspect there are some members who will not agree, and we may be hearing from them in the future. But for now, let’s celebrate, and although I suspect Frank Boles may be a little tired of having his email box fill up, I think it’s always nice to tell someone when you think they’ve done a good job. Share your good feelings here, and with your favorite member of Council, if you choose to. And thanks to everyone who worked to ensure this positive outcome!
Archival profession, Salary & career issues for archivists, Society of American Archivists (SAA) | Kate T. | 
March 3, 2009 12:21 pm
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By Kris, March 3, 2009 @ 12:29 pm
I too commend SAA, but I have two requests for that will probably be seen as nitpicky. 1) I wish they had said gay, lesbian and transgendered members (or similar language) in this communi — 2) I wish they had not placed “gender identity/expression” between “family” & “individual lifestyle” but by sexual orientation. Maybe there is a good reason not to, but that’s where I thought it should fit.