Allan Spear Lecture in Public Policy

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Press Release
Statement from Toni McNaron
Statement from Lisa Albrecht and Naomi Scheman
Statement from Tammy Baldwin

U of M mourns country's first openly gay male state legislator and longtime history professor Allan Spear

Allan Spear, the country's first openly gay male state legislator and a longtime history professor at the University of Minnesota for 36 years, died Saturday night at age 71 after complications following heart surgery. Spear leaves behind a legacy as one of the state's most influential legislators and left an indelible impact on students and colleagues at the university.

"As both a faculty member and the state senator representing our Minneapolis campus, he truly was a transformational leader who was deeply committed to our institution," said U of M President Robert Bruininks of Spear. "There is probably no greater honor for any leader than to have those who follow you say you made a difference in their lives and the lives of the community. That can certainly be said of Allan Spear."

"Allan believed, as a good historian, that not knowing our history can mean we repeat the same mistakes over and over," said colleague Toni McNaron, a professor emerita of English at the university who came out publicly shortly before Spear in 1974. "His teaching was always infused with an urgency to apply what was learned in his classrooms to the nightly news, or to a person's attitudes toward their neighbors who might not always agree with them."

Spear began teaching in the University of Minnesota's history department in 1964 and retired in 2000 after 36 years of academic scholarship as an associate professor of history. In 2000, the University of Minnesota's Steven J. Schochet Center for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Studies celebrated Allan Spear's life and work by naming a speech in the Schochet Distinguished Lecture Series in his honor, the Spear Lecture in Public Policy.

Spear inaugurated the Spear Lecture in Public Policy on Sept. 26, 2000 and the series has since been a forum for prominent figures such as U.S. Congressman Barney Frank and U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, as well as activists and scholars of GLBT Studies such as Suzanne Pharr and Dean Spade.

Spear was one of the chief architects of the 1993 Human Rights Act Amendment, which extended a guarantee of protection from discrimination in employment, education, and housing to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Minnesotans. It is with the passage of this act that Allan realized what he himself called his "proudest legislative achievement." A selection of his personal papers are archived in the U of M's Tretter Collection in GLBT Studies.

"Allan was proud of his role as a ground-breaker for our communities," said Beth Zemsky, former founding director of the U of M's GLBT Programs Office. "Once he opened a door, whether in the state legislature, at the university or in the community, he was committed to helping others walk through it. Allan was always accessible for a discussion, to attend a community meeting, to lend a funny or pointed story, or to share one of his deeply held convictions. He was a valued mentor, adviser and friend who will be deeply missed."

A private burial for Spear has been scheduled, and a public memorial service will be arranged. He is survived by his long-term partner of over twenty years, Junjiro Tsuji.

For questions or comments, please contact Beng Chang, Schochet Endowment Graduate Assistant, at 612-626-2562 or schochet@umn.edu.

Condolences may be sent to Allan's partner of over 20 years: Junjiro Tsuji, at 2429 Colfax Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55405.

 

Statement from Toni McNaron

Toni McNaron is Professor Emerita of English at the University of Minnesota, and the namesake of the McNaron Lecture in Arts and Culture, part of the Steven J. Schochet Distinguished Lecture Series in GLBT Studies.

The GLBT community, the University of Minnesota, and the State of Minnesota lost a sterling member when Allan Spear died on October 11. Those who worked with Allan in the State legislature will honor his leadership there, but let me speak about him as an academic colleague. In the early 1970s NO faculty at the University were "out." When I changed that by coming out in a Women’s Studies class, I wished for companions. Within a few months I got a phone call from Allan Spear, asking me what it had been like since I had come out. He was seriously considering joining me, but was understandably worried since his field, History, might well not accept him as relatively easily as my own had done. (I taught literature.) At the conclusion of our conversation, Allan told me he was going to risk it. Of course, I applauded those words, but I also worried because I realized that coming out at the U. meant, ipso facto, that he was coming out at the State Capitol and that was an entirely different reality. But Allan’s constituents did not turn on him, and he continue to serve long and well for years after that momentous moment.

I know of his passion for history and of his belief that knowing about history should rightfully lead people to act for justice and against fear and small-mindedness. He also believed, as a good historian, that not knowing our history can mean we repeat the same mistakes over and over, so his teaching was always infused with an urgency to apply what was learned in his classrooms to the nightly news or to a person’s attitudes toward their neighbors who might not always agree with them. Allan served as a fine role model to countless graduate students in history who were making their way into the profession.

After retiring, Allan continued to work to improve the life and educational contexts for gay and lesbian students, faculty and staff. When the University founded its Schochet Center for GLBT Studies, a lecture series was set up in Allan’s honor and he generously agreed to deliver the inaugural lecture as a fund-raiser. That series has drawn to the University and the Twin Cities some outstanding political figures as well as activists and scholars of GLBT history.

I have been fortunate to count Allan as a colleague and a friend. Now that he has moved on, I will miss running into him at our local Lund’s supermarket. More importantly, I and many others will miss his voice and his example.

 

Statement from Lisa Albrecht and Naomi Scheman

Lisa Albrecht is Associate Professor in the School of Social Work. Naomi Scheman is Professor in the Departments of Philosophy and Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies. Professors Albrecht and Scheman are Co-Chairs of the Schochet Advisory Board.

We've lost a friend, colleague, GLBT leader and extraordinary social justice activist. Allan Spear died of complications following heart surgery on Saturday, October 11, 2008. We, as Co-Chairs of the Advisory Board for the Steven J. Schochet Endowment for GLBT Studies and Campus Life, want to convey our deepest condolences to all of Allan’s loved ones, especially his partner of over twenty years, Junjiro Tsuji.

Allan served on our Advisory Board and brought his uncompromising politics to all of our meetings. Since 2000, the Schochet Endowment has been privileged to offer the Allan Spear Lecture in Public Policy, honoring Allan’s legacy. Allan was passionate about the lecture series, and challenged us to invite GLBT leaders whose work bettered all of our lives. At Board meetings, when we discussed possible speakers, Allan asserted the importance of inviting grassroots leaders as well as academic scholars.

It's been less than two weeks since our most recent Spear Lecture, given by Suzanne Pharr on October 2, 2008. Allan was preparing for surgery, and was saddened that he could not attend; he was also very upbeat about his recovery and looked forward to his ongoing involvement with the Schochet Endowment.

Allan was an Emeritus Associate Professor of History at the U., and continued to serve the GLBT community since his retirement from the Minnesota State Senate after twenty-eight years in office. Allan helped to found the National Association for Gay and Lesbian Elected and Appointed Officials as the first out gay male legislator in the U.S.

Lisa best remembers Allan through his work with gay and lesbian elected and appointed officials. "When I was Chair of the Minneapolis Commission on Civil Rights, I attended several meetings of the National Association for Gay and Lesbian Elected and Appointed Officials. I was awed at Allan’s leadership. He spoke to the need for GLBT rights, but he also stood up and demanded that we work for the civil rights of all our constituents. I was incredibly proud to be a Minnesotan and know Allan Spear."

 

Statement from Tammy Baldwin

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin was the featured presenter for the 2007 Allan Spear Lecture in Public Policy.

In Senator Allan Spear's passing, I have lost a mentor. Allan encouraged countless individuals to enter the political arena and use their talents to confront the challenges of the day. He was particularly inspirational to those of us who, like Allan, are a part of the LGBT community. Allan was among the first in our nation's history to come out in office, making a path that many others could follow. And while Allan made history as one of the pioneers of the LGBT civil rights movement, his legacy is that of principled public service. As a Senator, he gave his best for his constituents and as a professor he gave his best for his students. I will miss my dear friend and role model Allan Spear. But, as with all great mentors, I will keep the lessons he shared forever.

 

Allan Spear

As the first and longest-serving openly gay male legislator in the nation, Allan Spear served in the Minnesota State Senate for over a quarter of a century. He was also Associate Professor Emeritus in the History Department at the University of Minnesota with research interests in recent American, Afro-American, and Minnesota history.

Established in 2000 by the Steven J. Schochet Center for GLBT Studies, the Allan Spear Lecture in Public Policy honors this groundbreaking University of Minnesota faculty member and distinguished Minnesota citizen.