PROFILES IN DIVERSITY
LGBTQ STUDENTS
included, and works to help campuses address issues per- tinent to the LGBTQ student, including family diversity, stereotypes and bullying. In the summer of 2010, the HRC embarked on an Equality Tour, during which its yellow and blue bus stopped by various campuses to help spread the word about equality.
THE GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCE NETWORK Te Gay-Straight Alliance Network (GSA) is a stu- dent-initiated and –run club that works “to create a safe space in schools, to educate the school community about homophobia, and to fight discrimination and harassment in schools.” Tese efforts are made by both straight and LGBTQ community-members, forming a dynamic and meaningful alliance to students impacted by these increas- ingly pervasive issues.
RESOURCE CENTERS Over 200 schools have a physical LGBT resource center for LGBTQ students to utilize. But outreach is more than a building. Officially recognized LGBT organizations on campus give LGBTQ students, mentors and peers a safe space, not to mention sending a powerful message that the school recognizes that LGBTQ students exist and are worthy of an official organization, Gingrich-Jones says. Many schools also reach out to LGBTQ students by taking stands on issues that are important to LGBTQ stu- dents. A current example is Chick-Fil-A. Upon learning that the organization has contributed millions of dollars to anti-gay causes, it’s not only students that are rallying to have the franchises taken off of campuses–adminis- trators are taking the opportunity to say, “we hear you, we support you and we won’t stand for intolerance on campus.”
PUT IT IN WRITING LGBTQ students are more than two times as likely as non-LGBTQ youth to say they have been verbally ha- rassed (51 percent versus 25 percent), and are also more likely to experience physical assault (5 percent versus 3 percent)3
. For this reason alone, instating a non-dis-
crimination policy that addresses sexual harassment and gender orientation is vital. Gingrich-Jones suggests that one of the easiest ways to show students that a campus is LGBTQ-friendly is by having open and out faculty and staff members, who would also be impacted by a non-dis- crimination policy. Several bills have been proposed–such as the Student Non-Discrimination Act, and the Safe Schools Improvement Act–to help eliminate some of this harassment at the elementary and secondary levels. But
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TODAYSCAMPUS.COM
the bullying doesn’t stop once youth reach college, mak- ing instated non-discrimination policies that address these issues a critical tool in curbing harassment.
FRIENDLY FACILITIES While there have been decades of research regarding the lesbian, gay, bisexual and questioning student, the transgender student has slightly different needs. For example, Gingrich-Jones says, bathroom use on campus can become an issue for students who are gender variant; they often face harassment when they attempt to use the bathrooms of their associated gender. An easy solution? Single-stall, unisex bathrooms. Most campuses already have these single-stall bathrooms, Gingrich-Jones adds–it’s just a matter of making students aware of their existence. Tere’s also the matter of a preferred name listed on class rosters–something that can be addressed by Enrollment Managers to ease a transgendered student’s transition to the college classroom.
With more support on campus, LGBTQ students can
focus more on the goal at hand–grades, academic success, term papers, and of course–graduation. It shouldn’t be any surprise in the digital age that these issues are import- ant to LGBTQ students, most of whom are vigilant in researching prior to committing to an institution. “You want to let people know that you exist. You want to know that you’re not alone, that there’s someone who cares that you exist and cares about your needs. Tat’s a really, really powerful thing,” asserts Gingrich-Jones. For college administrators and campuses, LGBTQ-friendly resources, non-discrimination policies, and campuses can make all the difference in supporting a welcoming, safe environ- ment–and showing students that their school is an ally.
Rachel Wiley is the Managing Editor at Today’s Campus and can be reached at:
Rachel@TodaysCampus.com
(1)
www.campuspride.org (2)
www.hrc.org (3)
www.hrc.org/youth
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