The Center for Research in Feminist, Queer, and Transgender Studies

Sue Rankin is the person responsible for me being the Director of Penn’s LGBT Center.  Bold, but true words.  I was in a Ph.D. program I did not like, as the field was becoming more quantitative and I did not feel supported in what I wanted to study or who I was.  I admit I was in a rough patch personally, having arrived on campus barely six months after the sudden death of my partner, so I am sure faculty did not know quite how to treat me, nor did I even know how to grieve or really do my best work (more info on that in person if you really want to know about it).  I found solace in a good shrink (thank you, Mary!) the campus LGBT graduate student group, and Sue who advised us.  I soon became the group’s co-chair, organizing protests against Rene Portland, Pride Week events, and watching the heterosexual support group S.T.R.A.I.G.H.T from afar (yes, it existed).  I even had death threats and my taillights broken out. 

Through it all, Sue was there with a listening ear and hosting pick-up football games at her house.  She was the former varsity softball coach who was asked to resign because she was lesbian, who stayed at the same school to do diversity work as an administrator.  Sue was strong, committed to her work and students, would tell you like it is, and just plain fun.  More importantly, she was a successful, humble, approachable lesbian who did not let obstacles stand in her way.  Before Sue I did not really know any ‘grown-up’ queer folks who were out and happy.  I mean, when my mother met her, she finally felt that I could have a livable life because Sue did.  It was big. 

So, how is Sue specifically responsible for my career as a paid queer?  I wanted to leave my Ph.D. program after my M.A. and went to talk to her about it and where my future may lie.  In typical Sue style, she said it was obvious I loved my activism and diversity work and I should consider doing that fulltime.  I did not even know it was possible.  She continued, saying her pal Bob was hiring someone at Penn’s LGB Center (no ‘T’ yet) on limited funds (read: salary not guaranteed beyond two years) and I should apply.  Plus, she would tell him I was ‘the best thing since sliced bread.’  You can figure out the rest of the story since I am still at the Center and now the Director. 

We have stayed in touch intermittently over the years, as I grew as a professional and Sue became a professor who now owns the top campus climate consulting business is the nation.  I always know I can drop her a line and she is there.  Thanks, Sue.