University of Virginia: Dean Groves recognized for LGBT leadership

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Dean Groves recognized for LGBT leadership

Equality Virginia names Groves recipient of 6th annual OUTstanding Virginians Award
by Catherine Valentine | Mar 18 2014 | 14 hours ago

Equality Virginia named Dean of Students Allen Groves a recipient of the sixth annual OUTstanding Virginians award last Wednesday, marking the group’s 25th anniversary. ... A committee comprised of Equality Virginia staff members, board members and active LGBT individuals chose Groves as one of nine award beneficiaries.
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In 2004, Groves was openly criticized for his decision to run for international president of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. ... “A very senior alumnus approached me the night before and told me to withdraw from consideration because of my sexual orientation,” Groves said in an interview with Equality Virginia. “‘Someone like you can’t be president,’ he said.”

Groves proceeded to win the office position the following day and, after a markedly successful term as international president, accepted an apology from the affronting alumnus. ... “The fact that I am a gay man is perhaps significant in terms of breaking barriers or challenging stereotypes, but I am involved because I believe in the value of fraternity, not because I am gay,” Groves said. ... In 2012, Groves also became Chairman of the North-American Interfraternity Conference.

Equality Virginia also credited Groves for his response to a 2009 memo from then-Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s which said state universities had no obligation to extend non-discrimination policies on the basis of sexual orientation. ... “Nothing anyone says will make U.Va. reject its core value of nondiscrimination,” Groves said in a meeting at the time. ... Groves continues to endorse this statement.