QLF, Lefton meet to discuss safety

Steve Bushong

Members of Queer Liberation Front met with Kent State President Lester Lefton yesterday to discuss issues concerning the group and the progress made on the issues since their last meeting in December.

It was the group’s second meeting with Lefton, and April Templeman, president of Queer Liberation Front, said it was successful.

“Just by virtue of him meeting with us twice this year is progress,” she said.

At the start of the meeting, Lefton presented the group with a two-page progress report detailing advances made since their last meeting.

“I take (their issues) very seriously,” he said.

Issues discussed included the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender library, unisex restrooms, last semester’s safety walk, and the group’s safety survey, which Templeman said will be completed in March.

Lefton said he agreed with some of the group’s goals, including having unisex restrooms.

Financial restraints and building codes could limit the implementation of one-person restrooms in existing facilities, but future buildings would likely have them, he said.

Lefton suggested the LGBT library, currently located in Merrill Hall, be moved to an “on-reserve” area on the ninth floor of the main library.

For other issues, including campus lighting and emergency phones, Lefton referred the group to David Creamer, vice president of administration, who deals with those types of issues.

“We look forward to meeting with (Creamer), and working with him,” Templeman said.

Contact minority affairs reporter Steve Bushong at [email protected].