The Good 5 Cent Cigar

Issue date: 11/1/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Alexa King Professor Albert Lott

11/01/07 - Some people get tired of working on projects after a couple of weeks. Professor Albert Lott has been working on the same project for 10 years, and still isn't tired of it.

In early October, Lott was notified that the Rhode Island Psychological Association was presenting him with the Musiker-Merenda award for "significant contributions to mental health."

Lott said the award came "out of the blue" and it was "a pleasant surprise." It was for what he considers his most important project so far - working to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy of the U.S. military.

The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy states that no openly gay man or woman can serve in the armed forces. Lott said that the military is losing some great people because they cannot serve because of social injustice.

Although it has been a tough road, Lott describes the experience as energizing and says that there have been small victories along the way. He said the hardest part of achieving his goal is "trying to persuade [U.S.] Sen. Jack Reed to repeal the bill."

With Reed's military background, Lott feels that he will be a great asset in repealing the policy if he gains the senator's support. Despite this setback, Lott has remained determined and is aware that some things just need time.

Lott became involved with the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy after years of fighting for social justice for homosexuals. He is an avid believer that public discrimination should be gone, and for this reason, he is involved with same-sex marriage issues.

Currently, Lott is working with Roger Williams University law students to lobby in Washington, D.C. to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy." He said that as of right now, working with the students is going very well. His social psychology knowledge and skills aid in all the efforts he is currently working on.

Lott joined the faculty at the University of Rhode Island in 1969 and retired in 1996. He thought that it was time to get some of the older people out, and a newer crowd in, and see what they had to offer. According to a university press release, he is a pioneer in men's and women's studies, and an important contributor to society because of his commitment to social justice.

During his time at the university, Lott was a chairman of the psychology department, president of Faulty Senate, a sponsor of an Honors Colloquium and a faculty adviser for a group of students studying the issues of gays, lesbians and bisexuals.

Even today, Lott continues to have an impact on the URI community. His Men and Masculinity course continues to be taught on the Kingston campus.

Lott currently resides "just across the street" from the URI campus and is a frequent visitor. He will continue to work to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and fight for social justice.

Kat Quina, a colleague and member of the Psychology Department, praised the work of Lott.

"Al remains one of the most popular and beloved professors and mentors to have taught at URI," she said.

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