Member Profile
Maida Tilchen
MSEd’76, Instructional Systems Technology
Community-oriented, creative, busy.
Project manager for library services at Cambridge College in Cambridge, Mass. I design and provide library instruction, administrate online library services, and co-chair our college Academic Technology Committee.
My first novel, Land Beyond Maps, was just published. Set in 1929 in the southwest, it is a historical novel about Laura Gilpin and Betsy Forster, a lifelong lesbian couple. Gilpin took photos of the Navajo people while Betsy served as a nurse on the Navajo reservation. Heavily researched, it’s a novel of biography, travel, adventure, and lesbian and women’s history. It’s available at www.amazon.com and other online bookstores, or ask your local bookstore or library to get it.
Why I chose IU
I was a VISTA Volunteer (domestic Peace Corps) from 1973-74, serving in Vincennes, Ind. To come out as a lesbian, I came to Bloomington often and moved there after VISTA. I organized lesbian/gay conferences, women’s music, lesbian "free university" classes, and the Lesbian and Gay Literary Circle. Several friends were in the Instructional Systems Technology department at the School of Ed, so I decided to get a masters there.
Favorite memories of IU
The 1975 Midwest Lesbian and Gay Conference, which I helped organize. We had 1,200 attendees. I met almost every lesbian/gay political icon of 1975 that weekend, from Elaine Nobel to Leonard Matlovich to Vito Russo to Malcolm Boyd. Hope you all had as much fun as we did!
The 1979 Lesbian/Gay March on Washington: We organized a statewide car cavalcade of four cars to drive all night. It unified and created friendships from lgbt pockets across the state. We thought our twin-sheet sized banner would be the biggest in the March — nope, we were lost in the crowd. It was the most exuberant, happy crowd ever. We went to see our Republican congressman, who wouldn’t meet with us.
Advice for GLBT students
Great oaks grew from the little acorns we planted in the 1970s. We didn’t let ourselves imagine the progress for lgbts today, it seemed so impossible. So go for it!
We had to make our own organizations, events, and fun in the early 1970s. It was "do-it-yourself" grassroots community. When the bars started openly "gay nights," we lost that spirit, and alcoholism became a problem. Now there is so much provided to the lgbt community by formal organizations and businesses that newbies may feel they have to fit into what’s there. Hey — do it yourself, make it happen, learn how to organize, and create community. Or, be part of those organizations, not just a consumer.
Why the GLBTAA is important to me
When we held the Midwest Lesbian Gay Conference in 1975, many closeted IU staff helped us behind the scenes to get facilities and equipment. The possibility of a lesbian/gay branch of the IUAA was a joke to us, it was so unlikely. It’s so wonderful that IU is now so openly supportive. Don’t take it for granted — it’s one of so many achievements of the lesbian/gay movement that started so small and so boldly, especially in rural states like Indiana.