How graduate students can advocate and organize effectively for LBGT

From presentation by Doris Dirks, HDC Committee Chair, at the Western Regional Conference in Boulder, Colorado, April 7th, 2006

Individual Initiatives:
What can I do about homophobia and heterosexism?

Whether you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, two-spirited, queer, transgendered, trans-identified or heterosexual, we all share the responsibility to end homophobia and heterosexism. Here are some tips:
BE NON-JUDGMENTAL. Being LGBQTT is not something to be ashamed of or judgmental about. Homophobia, not sexual orientation or gender identity, is the problem.
USE GENDER INCLUSIVE AND NON-HETEROSEXIST LANGUAGE. Do not assume that you know someone's sexual orientation and/or the gender of one's romantic/sexual interests. Use inclusive language even if you know someone is heterosexual. Help educate and encourage others to use inclusive language, as well.
ASSUME THAT ANYONE COULD BE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, QUEER, TWO-SPIRITED, TRANSGENDERED OR HETEROSEXUAL. Don't assume that everyone is heterosexual "unless you know otherwise" or that everyone should be heterosexual. Similarly, don't assume that someone is LGBQTT based on stereotypes or assumptions about one's friends.
DON'T TEASE OR HARASS OTHERS for exhibiting behaviours that are not traditionally associated with their gender (or what you perceive their gender to be).
DON'T "OUT" PEOPLE. Do not force anyone to disclose one's sexual orientation. Also, if you know that someone is LGBQTT or is questioning one's sexual orientation, don't assume that you may tell anyone else. Be sensitive to the fact that some people are "out" in some areas of their lives, but not in others.
DON'T THINK OF LGBQTT PERSONS SOLELY IN TERMS OF THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION. Just as the lives of heterosexual people include far more than their attraction to members of the opposite sex, LGBQTT persons also have friends, skills and multifaceted interests unrelated to their sexual orientation. Don't define anyone by one's sexual orientation.
DON'T ENGAGE IN HOMOPHOBIC JOKES, COMMENTS, SLURS OR OTHER BEHAVIOURS. Speak up against these when you witness them. If you don't, your silence condones and encourages such behaviours.
EDUCATE YOURSELF. If there are things you don't know or understand about LGBQTT issues, do some research, ask questions or contact a group that deals with these issues.
TALK ABOUT SEXUAL DIVERSITY. Maintain an inclusive group, classroom, living or workspace by talking openly and respectfully about LGBQTT issues when they come up. Treat these issues as you would any other issue.
REMEMBER THAT AN INDIVIDUAL'S SEXUAL ORIENTATION INVOLVES MORE THAN SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR. It includes attraction, companionship, intimacy and emotional attachments as well as sexual activity.
DO NOT FORCE PEOPLE TO HIDE their sexual orientation or gender identity.
DON'T ASSUME THAT LGBQTT PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING or have regrets about their sexual orientation and want to be heterosexual. Likewise, if someone who is LGBQTT is having problems, don't assume that sexual orientation is the cause.
RECOGNIZE INTERSECTIONS AND SIMILARITIES OF PREJUDICE. Heterosexism and other forms of oppression and discrimination have similarities and areas of overlap. For example, a black lesbian may experience homophobia, racism and sexism. An East Asian man may be disadvantaged by racism in ways that are similar to the ways a gay man is disadvantaged by homophobia and heterosexism.
ENGAGE IN INCLUSIVE PRACTICES. Create work, study and living environments in which gender and sexual diversity are included, modeled and valued.

Institutional Initiatives:
What can we do about homophobia and heterosexism?

For Graduate Students:

• Support funding for LBGT graduate groups
• Create safe classrooms
• Offer mentoring and support
• Facilitate opportunities for networking
• Nurture a climate of support for LBGT/Queer research topics
• Provide information on grants and scholarships for LBGT graduate students:
• www.finaid.org/otheraid/gay.phtml
• www.washburn.edu/sobu/broach/glbt-scholar.html

For All LBGT Students/Faculty/Staff:

• Advocate for LBGT Resource Centres on your campuses
• Advocate for sexual orientation and gender identity to be included in the university’s EEO statement: http://www.transgenderlaw.org/college/index.htm
• Advocate for domestic partner benefits to be included in faculty/staff/graduate student benefit packages: http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm?Section=The_Issues&Template=/TaggedPage/...
• Initiate an Assessment of Campus Climate for LBGT Students: See attached Reflective Assessment Tool from:
  Eddy, W., & Forney, D. S. (1999). Assessing campus environments for the lesbian, gay and
  bisexual population. In V. A. Wall & N. J. Evans (eds.), Towards acceptance: Sexual
  orientation issues on campus (pp. 147-150). Lanham, MD: University Press of America.
  See also: www.thetaskforce.org/downloads/CampusClimate.pdf

The following guidelines are suggested for student groups, who are committed to creating change on campus:

1. Choose battles strategically
2. Know the decision-making process of the campus and use it to benefit the group
3. Plan and be organized
4. Identify internal and external allies
5. Know the law
6. Be aware of the personal consequences of activism