The 1990s  

Kent State University begins regularly offering the course The Sociology of gays and Lesbians, a course which is now part of the Lesbian, gay, Bisexual and Transgender Studies minor.  During this time the course is taught be Dr. Robert Johnson of the Department of Sociology and Criminology.  The Kent State University College Republicans campaign within the university and statewide to have the course banned.  The situation attracts national attention and is cited in many books and articles about the 1990s university-based culture wars.  The university is recognized for maintaining academic freedom in the face of internal and external pressures.

The Kent State Division of Human Resources establishes a committee to explore the costs and ramifications of extending domestic partnership benefits to university employees.

Dr. Robert Johnson and Dr. Molly Merryman from the first of several ad hoc committees of faculty and staff committed to the effort of having Kent State extend domestic partner benefits to faculty and staff.