Holiday of Heterosexism
For a majority of the population, February 14th is a day meant to symbolize our love and commitment to that special someone who fills our life with joy. This generally holds true for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Unfortunately, our expressions of love are often silenced by the heterosexism we experience in our day to day lives.
Whether it’s holding back from holding hands while walking down the street, having a dinner together in instead of going out on the town, or sharing a kiss in the shadows instead of under a streetlight; LGBT people are pressured by society to restrain their romantic expressions to the point of invisibility.
When was the last time you saw an LGBT couple exchanging any affection in public? How did you feel when you saw it? Whether it’s direct or perceived, the fear of being attacked for “flaunting their sexuality” is present in the minds of many LGBT individuals, even those who would describe themselves as fully out and comfortable with their identity.
This Valentine’s Day, when you’re sharing a moment with your loved one, remember those who are too afraid to share the same expressions with the rest of the world and take a moment to reaffirm your support of your LGBT friends and peers. Help reclaim Valentine’s Day as in inclusive holiday by making sure you use gender neutral language, like “partner” or “significant other” to refer your loved one. If you see an LGBT couple, don’t stare . . . smile! As a university, if we are working together to dismantle heterosexism bit by bit, shouldn’t we start with the holiday that celebrates it? Hopefully, one day all LGBT individuals will be able to experience Valentine's Day to the same extent as their straight peers.
Guest blogger: David Jaques, Graduate Assistant, LGBT Resource Center
Labels: discrimination, GVSU LGBT Resource Center, Valentine's Day
Queer Eye for the Straight Bible Reader
Former Hope College professor and current Associate Professor of Social Ethics at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado, Dr. de la Torre's work focuses on how religion affects race, class, and gender oppression.
Please join us this Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the LGBT Resource Center at (616) 331-2530 or visit our
website.
Labels: Bible, Grand Valley State University, GVSU LGBT Resource Center, Miguel de la Torre, OnGoing LGBT Conference, spiritual violence
From
GV Now:
The
Arcus Foundation of Kalamazoo has awarded a $150,000 grant to Grand Valley’s
LGBT Resource Center to enhance its social justice training efforts, build statewide resources and increase community collaborations and partnerships.
The 20-month grant will start in January and continue through August 2011. Colette Seguin Beighley,
LGBT Resource Center assistant director, said the purpose of the grant is two-fold. "We wanted to enhance our efforts to build student leaders who are civically engaged and include the greater Grand Rapids community in that effort," Seguin Beighley said.
The center will use part of the grant to fund a six-session Social Justice Training Series that would bring in nationally known speakers to train participants in effective advocacy. Other plans for grant monies are detailed below:
• Create statewide consortiums for both LGBT college centers and LGBT faculty and staff associations to share resources and create a unified voice for policy changes. The consortium for state LGBT centers would be co-hosted by GVSU's
LGBT Resource Center and the
University of Michigan's Spectrum Center.
• Partner with
Grand Rapids Community Media Center's Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids to sponsor LGBT Monthly Film Series; collaborate with WGVU for programming during LGBT History Month (October); and collaborate with Grand Valley’s theater department to produce “Coming Out Monologues.”
• Hire a graduate assistant to support programming efforts.
• Send staff members and student leaders to national higher education conferences for networking, presentations and advocacy.
Johnny Jenkins, program officer at
Arcus Foundation, said the grant comes from the foundation's Michigan LGBT Rights Program. "Our ultimate goal is to advance rights for the LGBT community in Michigan," Jenkins said. "GVSU and the
LGBT Resource Center have stepped up to the plate and have served as a tremendous resource in West Michigan."
Seguin Beighley said the
Arcus Foundation grant greatly helps support Grand Valley’s diversity efforts. "We’re so appreciative of the faith
Arcus Foundation has in our center and our university," she said.
Labels: Arcus Foundation, Grand Valley State University, grant, GVSU LGBT Resource Center, social justice
What Does It Mean to be Transgender?
The term transgender remains steeped in misconceptions, stigma, and ignorance. At the same time, people who don't necessarily conform to traditional gender stereotypes have never been more visible or active.
Join us Wednesday, November 11, 2009: 4 p.m., Pere Marquette Room, 2204 Kirkhof Center, Allendale campus. For more information and additional resources,
click here.
Labels: Donna Rose, GVSU LGBT Resource Center, transgender, Transgender Day of Remembrance, transsexual
Join us today at 3 p.m. for our OnGoing LGBT Conference: LGBT and Race
In November 2008, controversial words, "Gay is the New Black" were on the cover of the Advocate Magazine. Billy Curtis' letter to the editor the following month addressed these divisive words. Please join us as we continue this national conversation.
Today, October 12, 2009: 3 p.m., Pere Marquette Room, Kirkhof Center, Allendale, MI
For more information, click here.
Labels: Billy Curtis, Gay is the New Black, GVSU LGBT Resource Center, OnGoing LGBT Conference, Race
The "Queer" State of the Union
The LGBT Resource Center kicks off our fall programming with the first of our OnGoing LGBT Conferences this Monday, September 21. We are thrilled to have Sean Kosofsky joining us to talk about "The Queer State of the Union"! I guarantee Sean will rock the house as he brings us up to speed on LGBT politics!
Much has happened at the state and national level since Obama's inauguration. Sean will be discussing issues impacting the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities and taking your questions as well!
Sean is the Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina and is former Director of Policy for Triangle Foundation -- Michigan's anti-violence and advocacy organization serving the LGBT communities. For more info on Sean, click here.
Monday, September 21, at 4 p.m. in the Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center. LIB 100 APPROVED! This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
Please contact our office if you need special accommodations: (616) 331-2530.
Labels: GVSU LGBT Resource Center, Lib 100, OnGoing LGBT Conference, Sean Kosofsky, The Queer State of the Union
This spring the LGBT Resource Center updated Grand Valley's LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index profile. The goal of this national assessment tool is to help create respectful and welcoming environments for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students, faculty and staff as well as their allies. Fourteen different campus offices participated in this evaluation.
We are happy to report that,
as a result of recent policy changes at GVSU,
our campus has moved up in rank
from 3 of 5 stars to 4.5 stars of 5 stars!
We can be very proud of our 4.5 star rating. Only 18 campuses across the nation have achieved 5 of 5 stars. We are confident Grand Valley State University will be among the next to receive a 5 of 5 star rating.
The Grand Valley LGBT Resource Center is happy to participate in this national assessment in an effort to continue to look for ways our campus can provide the safest, most supportive and welcoming environment for our LGBT students, faculty and staff.
While this evaluation process served to update how we currently rank after significant policy changes such as our household member benefits and expanded EEO policy, it also served as a consciousness-raising tool to continue to make explicit ways in which we can constantly improve and better meet the needs of our LGBT faculty, staff and students as we pursue our continued commitment to a fully-inclusive campus.
Labels: diversity, Grand Valley State University, GVSU LGBT Resource Center, inclusion, LGBT Resource Center
Community Conversation Has Begun!
Thank you to the
nearly 400 participants who attended “Religion and Homophobia: Spiritual Violence in our Community.” The evening was a great success! The
LGBT Resource Center extends its thanks to our presenter Wayne Besen of “
Truth Wins Out” as well as our amazing panel members.
Our Director, Dr. Milt Ford, will be attending Focus on the Family’s “Love Won Out” conference tomorrow in Grand Rapids.
Don’t forget the Grand Rapids chapter of the
National Organization of Women will be hosting a protest to the “Love Won Out” conference
tomorrow (Saturday) at noon, Calder Plaza, GR. Mayor George Heartwell will be speaking at that event.
SAVE THE DATE: Join us on September 21st as Sean Kosofsky, former Director of Policy for Triangle Foundation and current Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina, will present
“The Queer State of the Union” for our OnGoing LGBT Conference. For more information, visit
our website.
To keep up on all the happenings at our center, join the “Grand Valley State University LGBT Resource Center”
Facebook group.
Follow “gvsuLGBTcenter” on
Twitter!
We thank you for your support and hope to see you at our future events!
Labels: GVSU LGBT Resource Center, Love Won Out, Religion and Homophobia: Spiritual Violence in our Community, Truth Wins Out
The Impact of Spiritual Violence
Many factors have led to my becoming an advocate for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. One of the most devastating events was the disappearance of my beloved friend Liz.
In college I was involved in a nationally-known, campus-based Christian organization. I found this group provided some structure for my life as well as deep, loving friendships. One of those friendships was with Liz.
Liz and I were the same age. She was bubbly, fun, animated, caring, and a great sister to me. Liz was one of my best friends and I loved her.
One Friday night, I went to our weekly meeting and Liz wasn't there. I asked the leadership and was told Liz was sick. That week I tried to reach Liz by phone but was unsuccessful. The following Friday night, no Liz. Once again I asked and was told that Liz would not be returning to the group and that I was not to ask anymore questions. Needless to say, I went ballistic. The head female group leader took me upstairs to a secluded room and sat me down. She then proceeded to tell me that that Liz was no longer part of our group and then informed me that I was forbidden to try to contact Liz because . . .
Liz was "a homosexual."
Of course, I did not respond to this news nor the directive in the manner to which I had been instructed. I was enraged!
I searched for Liz in the limited non-Internet ways that were available to me at the time but she was gone. I was both heartbroken and incredulous. Was this not the same Liz we had loved? Her being a lesbian had zero impact on my feelings for or commitment to her. That revelation was barely a blip on the radar for me. I just wanted my friend to know that I was not a part of the horrifying message she was receiving. I never got a chance to tell her. I never saw or spoke to Liz again.
My heart continues to break for Liz as I wonder how that rejection and alienation impacted her life. I search for her online periodically. Being connected to the devastating spiritual violence that Liz experienced is unfinished business in my own life. When the dominant group in society demands assimilation from the minority group, they not only oppress their target but also diminish their own humanity. I felt diminished. I feel diminished. I am diminished.
On Thursday, June 11th,
Grand Valley State University will host a forum to examine the impact of homophobia in faith communities. I hope you will join us and add your voice to this continuing conversation.
Religion & Homophobia: Spiritual Violence in our Community
Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 7 p.m.
GVSU downtown campus - Eberhard Center, Room 215
This event is sponsored by the
Vice President for Inclusion and Equity,
Dean of Students Office,
LGBT Resource Center,
Women's Center,
Office of Multicultural Affairs,
Allies & Advocates,
LGBT Faculty and Staff Association,
Department of Liberal Studies, and
Department of Women and Gender Studies.
For more information, visit the LGBT Resource Center
website. Also, follow us on
Facebook: Our fan page is "
Grand Valley State University LGBT Resource Center" and join the group "
Religion & Homophobia: Spiritual Violence in our Community." You can track this event and others on
Twitter by following "
gvsulgbtcenter."
We hope to see you on Thursday, June 11th at this important event!
Labels: GVSU LGBT Resource Center, Religion and Homophobia: Spiritual Violence in our Community
Speaking Truth to Power
Last week we blew the roof off the LGBT Resource Center!On Monday we received a letter that was written by the American Family Association (AFA) to its local members. This letter stated that in conjunction with the launch of the website http://www.silencingchristians.com/, the AFA had produced an hour-long infomercial entitled "Speechless: Silencing Christians" decrying advances in equality for the gay community. The show was set to air that night -- Monday, February 9th -- at 7 p.m. on WOOD TV8.The following were high points from the AFA letter informing its members of the content of "Speechless" and why they should tune in:"The TV show will reveal the truth about the claim that homosexuals are born that way and cannot change; the negative impact on children resulting from schools promoting the gay lifestyle; protected minority status for homosexuals.
The AFA letter went on to say "it will attack the major lies of militant gay activists head-on; alert viewers about what's at stake for the family if they get what they want; present helpful information to stop the radical homosexual political agenda.
Quickly the students and I set up a Facebook group entitled “Tell WOOD TV8 to Stop Hate!” and we sent an invitation to all our friends asking them to please contact WOOD TV8 to let them know this kind of irresponsible broadcasting is biased, unprofessional and leads to hate violence.Melissa Pope, Director of Victim Services for Triangle Foundation – Michigan’s leading anti-violence organization serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities – states, “There is a direct connect between this kind of anti-gay programming and violence against the LGBT community.” It is especially important to acknowledge this potential risk considering hate violence against the gay community in Michigan increased 133% last year!In a lightning fast response, WOOD TV8 pulled the programming for the evening and announced “Speechless” would be rescheduled later in the week. But we didn’t stop there.We continued to work with hundreds of campus allies as well as eleven local, state, and national organizations to let WOOD TV8 know that we value the diversity, as well as the safety, of our community.On Wednesday afternoon, after two reschedules of the program, WOOD TV8 rescinded their offer to air the show stating, “Our station is being bombarded with calls and messages, and we find ourselves in the middle of someone else’s fight.”GVSU’s “Do Something Guide” states the following:“Students also need to become active participants in making a difference outside of the classroom. Applying what you know to real life situations will help you better understand and educate others on the need for awareness and diversity.” (Fall 2008 p. 42)
The students of the LGBT Resource Center certainly put that into practice and received an electrifying education in the power of using their voices to address injustice and create change. The cancellation of the anti-gay infomercial “Speechless” by WOOD TV8 was a victory for fairness and safety. By the end of the week, our Facebook group had over 1,100 citizen activist members! Our grassroots effort received national media attention and changed the course of West Michigan history.I encourage all of you to join us, whether LGBT or ally, as the LGBT Resource Center works to educate and develop student leaders who are empowered to create social change. Join our Facebook group “Friends of the GVSU LGBT Resource Center” to follow our work and become involved in the equality and justice community.“When will justice ever come to Athens? Only when those who are not injured are just as indignant as those who are.” ~Thucydides
Labels: AFA, GVSU LGBT Resource Center, Speechless, Tell WOOD TV8 to Stop the Hate, WOOD TV8
