“Lil” Purple Backpack Guide, 2nd Edition Are you ready to QUEER IT UP? Campus Pride’s “Lil” Purple Backpack Guide is intended to help LGBTQA student leaders create safer, more inclusive college campuses. This pocketsized resource is full of student organizing and social justice tips and tricks to impact change in your community. Campus Pride is excited to introduce new content this year such as our annual Top 25 LGBT-Friendly Colleges and Universities, 5 LGBT Questions To Ask Fraternities and Sororities on Your Campus, 6 Ways to Make Your Campus Trans-Friendly and many more. Let Campus Pride help you make a positive difference for LGBT and ally issues on your campus. The “Lil” Purple Backpack is available online at www.campuspride.org or in print - FREE!
Lead With Pride,
Shane Windmeyer Founder & Executive Director, Campus Pride 3
The Do’s and Dont’s of Campus Organizing .....................................pg 7 Creating Change in our Community .............................................. pg 9 Queer Tips for Increasing Attendance for Campus Groups ................pg 12 Rate your School’s LGBT-Friendliness ............................................pg 15 Top 25 list of LGBT Friendly Colleges ..............................................pg 17 7 of the Most LGBT-Friendly Religiously Affiliated Colleges Leading The Way ...................................................................... pg 18 Tips to Block Out the Hate Preachers .............................................pg 19 How to Be an Ally to Queer People of Color .....................................pg 21 LGBT & Ally Student Leader Checklist ............................................ pg 25 6 Ways to Make Your Campus Trans-Friendly ................................ pg 29 5 LGBT Questions to Ask Fraternities and Sororities on Your Campus ....................................................................... pg 32 Trans Advocacy Into Action ........................................................ pg 36 Campus Pride Speaker’s Bureau .................................................. pg 39 Resources ................................................................................pg 44
5
The Do’s and Don’t’s of Campus Organizing The Do’s: Do strive to reach win/win agreements for both the university and the organization. Look for alignments between the university’s and organization’s missions, visions, values and commitments.
Do seek to understand what motivates people to join the organization. What motivates one member might not motivate another. This is okay! Offer programming that appeals to a wide variety of people. Talk to your less active members and see what they’re looking from in your organization.
Do ask for help instead of trying to do it all on your own. Utilize the talents of your organization’s members, and reach out to faculty and staff allies. Partner with other organizations. Getting more people involved makes your organization stronger.
Do organize with a playful heart and maintain focus on the 5 P’s: Purpose, Passion, Presence, Power and Possibilities. Remember, just because it’s work doesn’t mean it can’t also be fun.
Do share your impressions freely-and hold your opinions. Are you making assumptions about the situation or are you assessing the situation? By using assessment tools, you and other leaders can help the university focus on solutions and create a process for gaining a clear, objective picture of the current situation.
7
The Don’ts: Don’t judge and make the university feel under attack. The job of a student leader is to help the university be the best it can. The focus is finding solutions, not placing blame. The governing board of the university will give more of themselves when they are focused on the positive.
Don’t forget to remain true to the leadership Code of Ethics. Remember these five keys: Respect, Trust, Confidentiality, Credibility and Integrity. Consistently “role model” these values.
Don’t work without a timeline. A timeline will auto-magically build in accountability. Set benchmarks for the next meeting or the next step in the process. Start early and delegate tasks.
Don’t assume you’re without prejudice. All of us have prejudices and are subject to prejudice. Understand your prejudice and exercise your personal power and privilege to foster more diversity.
Don’t try to control your organization. Lead your organization! When it feels like you are steering your organization’s sailboat, it’s time to give up the helm. Empower your organization members to participate and explore for themselves. Remember, change comes from within. Your fellow organization members have great wisdom and feel ownership only when they are part of the solution. Source: Christopher Bylone & Jess McDonald, Campus Pride, 2012.
8
Creating Change In Our Community Help make places “Safe Zones.” Use LGBT-inclusive language and display LGBT-friendly materials such as books, pamphlets, or stickers. If you see something, say something. Confront anti-LGBT remarks, including slights and slurs that you overhear. Let people know in no uncertain terms that such speech is unacceptable and should not be tolerated.
Don’t assume anyone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Individuals may wish to disclose, or not disclose their sexual or gender identity for different reasons. Respect everyone’s right to privacy. Establish or work to establish Gay-Straight Alliances at local schools. Make sure GSAs in your area are trans-inclusive.
Support LGBT-friendly companies and businesses. Support LGBT-friendly companies and businesses that support their customers and their employees. Through financial support, you can help LGBT business owners thrive and become successful in your community.
Show your pride and support for the LGBT community. Even small displays of support can make all the difference for a LGBT person feeling uneasy or isolated.
Lead with Campus Pride. Remember you are always a leader, whether you have a title or not. Others are watching what you say and do – your actions. Demonstrate integrity, diversity and value all contributions and help by everyone.
Online Resources: http://www.campuspride.org/Resources/ 9
Queer Tips for Increasing Attendance for Campus Groups Many student organizations want to increase their membership. Whether your organization is just starting or has been around for years, attracting new members and increasing your visibility on campus is very important to having a successful year.
Creative Advertising Explore policies on posting flyers, chalking sidewalks, and adding your event information to your college’s online calendar. Find out if you can hang large, colorful banners on the sides of buildings or from balconies. Pass out candy along with information about meeting times. Consider using table tents in dining halls to reach a broader audience.
Email Reminders Build a contact list by having a table at orientation or another wellattended event early in the school year. Consider getting in touch with other political activism groups and progressive groups on campus (Amnesty International, Young Democrats, Women’s/Gender Studies Department) to see if they will send an email out for you.
Online Outreach Create and maintain a fabulous web page and don’t forget Facebook andTwitter. Keep them all updated and include each web address on fliers, signs, mailings, etc. This is great way to reach questioning or shy students who are too nervous to stop at a table and get information.
12
Reconsider Meeting Times Send out a survey asking members what meeting times and days are best for them. Based on responses, consider moving your meetings to an earlier or later time. You might also think about alternating meeting times, such as meeting at 3 p.m. one week and 7 p.m. the next. It might seem complicated, but it could increase your meeting attendance.
Partner with Other Organizations This is one of the easiest ways to increase your attendance! Find common ground and plan an event such as a voting drive with a political organization or a panel on the experiences of LGBTQ people of color with the Black Student Union or similar group. Reach out to community groups such as PFLAG to pool your resources and reach a broader audience when hosting speakers or other events. You can also plan social outings or service days with other organizations to create new connections.
Hold Exciting Recruiting Events A Drag Ball, Show or Contest can be exciting and get people involved. Another interesting event is “Live Homosexual Acts,” also known as “Queer Zoo.” Rope off an area or chalk the sidewalks (get permission!), give out tickets, and show queer students...going about their daily business! Have “out” members of your group do homework, eat lunch, and chat in this little viewing area to show that they’re not so shockingly different from other students after all. You could also hold a Film Festival! You can show both serious dramas and campy classics. There are also lots of foreign language films dealing with LGBT themes.
Free Food A tried and true favorite! Advertise that there will be free food at your event/meeting and make sure there will be enough for everyone. Source: Nicky Rohrkemper & Jess McDonald, Campus Pride, 2012. 13
Rate Your School’s LGBT-Friendliness The Campus Pride Index is designed to help students, faculty and staff provide an accurate, in-depth assessment of their college or university’s programs, policies and practices for LGBT safety and inclusion. Is your campus doing all it can to create a welcoming environment for everyone? Learn more about the Index and how to assess your campus’s inclusion in eight different areas ranging from counseling and health to safety and policy inclusion at www.CampusPrideIndex.org.
Want to get started? Follow these important tips: 1. Discuss the issues: Bring together a small group of students, faculty and staff to discuss current policies and programs on your campus. Visit the Campus Pride Index to see our assessment categories and do an informal assessment over the course of one or two meetings. 2. Take the plunge: After your initial, informal assessment, have a faculty member take the lead on your new assessment committee and sign up for a free account at the Campus Pride Index. 3. Begin your official assessment: Once your account is approved, have your faculty or staff lead complete the index tool consisting of 50+ selfassessment questions. Keep your team in the loop and be sure to include students, faculty, staff and administrators who reflect the diversity of your campus population (age, race, ability, involvement, etc.). 4. Review your results: When you’re done, an assessment review will be returned. Review the results and recommendations and set your campus on a course to increased diversity and inclusion! Learn more and get started at www.CampusPrideIndex.org. 15
Campus Pride’s 2013 Top 25 LGBT-Friendly Colleges & Universities (in alphabetical order)
Campus Pride is proud to announce the 2013 Top 25 campuses for LGBT students. The rankings are based on data from the Campus Pride Index, which rates both colleges and universities on LGBT policy inclusion, student life, academic life as well as other relevant practices using a ďŹ ve (highest) to one (lowest) star rating system. The full index comprises a total of nearly 400 campuses across the country. Carleton College Case Western Reserve University Connecticut College Ithaca College Macalester College Oberlin College Portland State University Princeton University Rutgers University Southern Oregon University Stanford University The Ohio State University University of California, Riverside University of California, Santa Cruz University of Illinois at Chicago University of Maryland, College Park University of Massachusetts, Amherst
University of Michigan University of Minnesota - Duluth University of Minnesota - Twin Cities University of Oregon University of Pennsylvania University of Southern California University of Washington Washington State University
www.CampusPrideIndex.org
17
7 of the Most LGBT-Friendly Religiously Affiliated Colleges Leading the Way These campuses still have LGB and more T work to be done but are nonetheless “progressive” in being out advocates in what is often a challenging campus environment on religious affiliated campuses. Agnes Scott College Elmhurst College Hamline University Muhlenberg College
Baldwin-Wallace College Georgetown University Macalester College
Learn more online at www.CampusPride.org/Faith
18
Tips to Block Out the Hate Preachers Hate preachers thrive on attention and publicity. They use provocative language in an attempt to ‘hook’ people.
Some effective strategies that others have used include: • Ignore the haters completely. Do not give them any media attention. • Do NOT touch any of the haters. Some of these groups fund themselves by claiming they were ‘touched.’ • Conduct a positive campaign of rainbow ribbons, buttons, banners – ‘Not in R House.” • Form a ‘moving circle of love’ – surrounding haters. Hide them! • Counter-schedule another ‘unity’ event at the same time. • Create a fundraiser for a positive group on campus. Every time the haters use words like ‘fag’ have pledgers donate a $1. • Use the ‘Angels’ strategy used by allies at Matthew Shepard’s funeral. People wear white gowns and construct HUGE angel wings to wear. They stand with their backs silently to the protesters and ‘block’ the hater signs. • Play music like “I’m coming out” and dance around them. • Grab a bunch of people and have a same-sex kiss-in all around the protesters. Campus Pride, 2013.
19
How to be an Ally to Queer People of Color (QPOC) 1. Understand LGBTQ Stereotypes and how they often do not include people of color. 2. Be open to different types of communication (restricting to modern/ standard English is in and of itself oppressive.) 3. Learn all of the terms of the Rainbow Spectrum (downe, stud, same gender loving (SGL), dom, etc...) 4. Understand Appropriation (twerking, two-spirit, sass/invoking of black womanhood stereotypes) 5. Just Listen (Defer until you understand) 6. Don’t apologize for your privilege or guilt; don’t thank me for sharing what POC folks have known to be true for years 7. Find other white folks to process your white guilt. 8. Understand how people of color have helped to pave the way for the work you do. (Inclusive LGBTQ History, Stonewall, etc...) 9. Don’t just know who’s missing from the room; invite those folks to create the space with you. 10. Know that our community experiences regarding race are more complex than simply just Black/White 11. Know that just because we do not discuss the impact of racism in our lives on a daily basis, that our everyday realities as people of color are in fact shaped by the continuous institution and perpetuation of racism especially when it goes unaddressed. Developed by the Camp Pride 2013 QPOC Caucus 21
LGBT & Ally Student Leader Checklist Use this handy checklist to determine how LGBT-inclusive your campus is and which areas could use more attention and resources from student leaders, student organizations, administrators, faculty and staff. Fill-in the blanks at the end with five of your own LGBT-friendly checklist items for your campus. Keep the checklist handy as a guide to measure how much work needs to be done and where to focus your time and energy.
Your Name of College/University:
How to Measure Your Checklist Results: 19+ Yes Responses: LGBT-Friendly Campus; Definitely on a path to progress. 18-10 Yes Responses: More LGBT-Friendly efforts necessary; Apparent areas of success & improvement. 9-1 Yes Responses: Much work to be done; Warrants definite attention.
25
TOPIC/SERVICE/PROGRAM
Yes
1. High number of Out LGBT Students? 2. High number of Out LGBT Faculty/Staff? 3. High number of Visible LGBT Allies? 4. Significant number of LGBT social events? 5. Significant number of LGBT educational events? 6. Visible signs/symbols of LGBT support on campus? 7. LGBT & Ally Student Organization? 8. LGBT Resource Center/Office funded by campus? 9. LGBT Pride Week/Coming Out Week? 10. Variety of LGBT Studies/Courses? 11. Safe Zone/Safe Space or Ally Program? 12. LGBT student scholarships available? 13. Nondiscrimination policy inclusive of sexual orientation? 14. Nondiscrimination policy inclusive of gender identity/expression? 15. Same-sex domestic partner benefits available? 16. Inclusive LGBT housing options/themes? 17. LGBT-inclusive health services/testing? 18. LGBT-inclusive counseling/support groups? 19. Procedure for reporting LGBT bias, harassment & hate crimes? 20. First-Year Experience/Orientation inclusive of LGBT issues? 21. * 22. * 23. * 24. * 25. * 26
No
6 Ways to Make Your Campus More Trans-Friendly By Genny Beemyn
1. Gender-Inclusive Bathrooms
Colleges should create and publicize the location of gender-inclusive bathrooms—that is, restrooms available to people of all genders—in order to provide a safe, comfortable place for trans people to “pee in peace.”
2. Gender-Inclusive Housing
Currently, more than 120 colleges offer a gender-inclusive housing option, in which students can choose to live with other students of any gender on campus. This option should be open to both incoming and returning students and offered in different parts of campus and, if possible, in all types of housing.
3. Hormone and Gender-Affirming Surgery Coverage
Colleges need to remove the standard clause that excludes coverage for transition-related expenses in student health insurance policies and add language that provides coverage for mental health care, hormones, and surgery for trans students without a cap.
4. Name and Gender Change on Records and Documents
Trans students who go by a name other than their legal one should be able to use that name on college documents, such as course and grade rosters, online directory listings, unofficial transcripts, and ID cards. Otherwise, the student is at risk of being outed as trans.
29
5. Gender-Inclusive Recreational Facilities and Intramural Sports
Trans students should have safe and convenient access to bathrooms and locker rooms in Rec Centers and other athletic facilities and have the right to participate in Intramural and Rec Sports programs in keeping with their gender identity.
6. Educating about Trans People
Students, staff, and faculty are generally much less aware of the experiences of trans people than they are of cisgender LGB people. As a result, colleges should develop trans-speciďŹ c ally trainings and training programs and not just rely on an LGBTQ Safe Space or Safe Zone program to address the educational needs of the campus community. Online Resources: www.CampusPride.org/TPC
30
5 LGBT Questions to Ask Fraternities and Sororities on Your Campus 1. Does your fraternity/sorority have any written nondiscrimination policies regarding sexual orientation?
2. Does your organization restrict membership to a single sex/gender? If so, is a transgender student eligible for membership?
3. Do you discuss the issue of sexual orientation and/or gender identity and being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender in any of your educational programs and resources?
4. Do you include the issue of sexual orientation and gender identity in
training for staff (such as leadership consultants) or volunteer alumni?
5. Would you be open to including an article or resources about sexual
orientation and gender identity in your international/national magazine or other publications?
Tell Campus Pride What You Find Out?
www.CampusPride.org/OUTGREEK
32
Trans Advocacy Into Action “I felt alone and isolated. No one cared. No one really understood me and what I was going through. I loved school, but I never felt safe there because I was trans. I was threatened, followed, cornered, pushed, spit on, kicked, slapped, punched, beaten, and assaulted. I decided this is not the way I wanted to get an education and so I dropped out.”- Keisha, age 21 As educators, students, advocates, and activists, we have to take the lead on trans issues and concerns on campus. After educating ourselves, we must educate others on our campus. To be true advocates, we must empower ourselves and others by identifying power imbalances and creating opportunities to correct those power imbalances through collective action that transforms our educational institutions into safe and supportive environments. The following is a checklist of ways to improve the educational and work environments of colleges and universities for trans students, staff, and faculty.
Update Policy and Forms: 1. Include gender expression and gender identity in official nondiscrimination policies. This helps to provide a safe educational and work environment for everyone, especially in matters of protecting against violence, harassment, and discrimination in tenure, promotion, student admissions and financial aid. 2. Be gender inclusive with all forms, including surveys, administrative forms, and applications. Do not limit gender and sex categories to “male” and “female,” but also include “transgender” or “trans.” 3. Develop guidelines to assist trans students, staff, and faculty in navigating your school system, including addressing concerns with bathrooms, residential living arrangements, school identification picture cards, name changes, possible issues of harassment, etc. 36
Use Appropriate Language: 4. Provide workshops, guest speakers, and professional trainings to encourage use of gender-neutral and trans-friendly language. For example, use parent or guardian instead of mother/father, use partner instead of girlfriend/boyfriend. Do not assume the sexual orientation of a trans person. 5. Respect trans people by using appropriate pronouns and preferred names. When in doubt, ask! (Some people may prefer gender neutral pronouns such as “they” or “ze” instead of he or she, and “their” or “hir” instead of his or her.)
Create a Safe Environment: 6. Include trans literature, brochures, books, magazines, art work, and posters in your lobby or office. This helps people to feel welcomed and more comfortable. 7. Be an ally. Create an atmosphere in which derogatory remarks regarding trans people are not acceptable. 8. Hire openly trans people as staff and faculty who provide valuable knowledge about trans needs, as well as help trans students, and other trans staff and faculty feel represented in your school.
Increase Awareness & Provide Educational Training: 9. Ask for help from trans-specific local and national organizations. Build collaborative relationships between your schools and local centers, organizations, and support groups. 10. Have your campus LGBT center be inclusive of trans people as well. Providing trans-specific services, programs, and resources. Create a safe and welcoming space by training staff to be aware of trans experiences and concerns. This is essential for support, outreach, education, and advocacy. 11. Encourage staff and faculty to include trans films, articles, books, guest speakers, and panels in their curricula to provide a place for open discussion, increased awareness, and education about the various issues affecting trans people. 37
Establish Resources: 12. Designate resource people in your college or university to update and provide trans specific resources for students, staff, and faculty. Make sure your personal or office libraries, as well as your college or university libraries, can provide current books and films on trans issues and experiences. 13. Fund students to attend trans specific conferences to educate themselves, and encourage them to present their findings or share their information with campus organizations and others. Source: Lydia A. Sausa (Collegiate Empowerment, Inc.) & Jess McDonald, 2012
38
SPEAKER’S BUREAU • BOOK NOW www.campuspride.org • info@campuspride.org • 704.277.6710, ext 0
Speaker’s Bureau The Campus Pride Speaker’s Bureau represents diverse voices, topics and stories from LGBT and ally artists. These artists work directly with Campus Pride and give a portion of proceeds from every booking back to Campus Pride to support our mission of building LGBT and ally leaders and safer, more welcoming campus communities.
Shane Windmeyer Leading author on gay campus issues, and a champion for LGBT issues on college campuses, cofounder and executive director of Campus Pride.
Kara Laricks Former sorority woman, out lesbian, and fashion designer, Laricks is the perfect speaker for challenging gender norms and for bringing together the fraternity and sorority community and the LGBT community.
Justin Utley Singer/songwriter, an “out” ex-Mormon and survivor of ex-gay therapy, Justin speaks candidly about his life and experiences.
Brian Sims Advocate and policy attorney who is the only openly gay college football captain in NCAA history and Pennsylvania’s first openly gay state legislator.
J Mase III Black/Trans/Queer/Rowdy-as-Hell Poet with a capital [P] based in New York City and creator of Cupid Ain’t @#$%!: An Anti-Valentine’s Day Poetry Movement. 39
SPEAKER’S BUREAU • BOOK NOW www.campuspride.org • info@campuspride.org • 704.277.6710, ext 0
Ben Cohen Professional rugby player and ally who created the StandUp Foundation to combat bullying, particularly against the LGBT community.
Randi Driscoll Singer and songwriter, Randi says that her greatest personal accomplishment is her song, “What Matters,” written in response to the death of Matthew Shepard
Rev. Jamie Washington President and founder of the Washington Consulting Group, a multicultural organizational development Firm out of Baltimore, MD.
Anna Aagenes Executive Director of GO! (Generation Out) Athletes and former out college track and cross-country athlete.
Ma Purdy Educator, speaker, and award-winning ally speaker/activist, Ma is passionate about working with the majority population to move from being bystanders to upstanders.
Jack Mackenroth All-American swimmer, HIV activist & celebrity fitness model and fashion designer featured on Project Runway.
Kye Allums First “out” transgender person to play NCAA Division I athletics, he has also been named to The Advocate’s 2011 “Forty Under 40,” TheGrio’s 100 History Makers in the Making for Black History Month, and OUT Magazine’s OUT 100 for 2011. 40
SPEAKER’S BUREAU • BOOK NOW www.campuspride.org • info@campuspride.org • 704.277.6710, ext 0
Greg Miraglia Dean at Napa Valley College in California and has authored two books, “Coming Out From Behind The Badge,” and “American Heroes: Coming Out From Behind The Badge.”
Vernon A. Wall Director of Educational Programs and Publications for the American College Personnel Association (ACPA), College Student Educators International.
Dr. Ronni Sanlo Founder of Lavender Graduation and Director Emeritus of the UCLA Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Center and a frequent keynote speaker and consultant on LGBT issues in Higher Education.
Dr. Genny Beemyn Director of the Stonewall Center, Genny is also coordinator of the Campus Pride Transgender Policy Clearinghouse.
Cyd Zeigler Co-founder of Outsports.com, he has written extensively on athletes coming out at all levels of sports and the impact homophobia has on closeted athletes.
Dr. Susan R. Rankin Research Associate in the Center for the Study of Higher Education and Associate Professor of Education in the College Student Affairs Program at The Pennsylvania State University.
41
SPEAKER’S BUREAU • BOOK NOW www.campuspride.org • info@campuspride.org • 704.277.6710, ext 0
Daniel Hernandez Jr. Hernandez talks about his difficult journey overcoming discrimination in language, ethnicity, poverty, sexual orientation and why he loves being an American.
Bebe Zahara Benet BeBe was the winner of the inaugural season of RuPaul’s Drag Race and has used her platform to educate individuals on the pride and dignity found in the art of drag.
Robyn Ochs Educator, speaker, award-winning activist, and editor of the 42-country anthology, Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World and the Bi Women newsletter.
Christina Kahrl Sportswriter and editor for ESPN.com, and a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America (and one of the first internet writers as well as the first trans* woman voted into its ranks).
42
Resources Campus Pride www.campuspride.org
Campus Pride Blog www.campusprideblog.org
Stop The Hate www.stophate.org
Campus Pride In Faith www.campuspride.org/Faith
Campus Pride Index www.CampusPrideIndex.org
Out To Play - LGBT Athletes www.campuspride.org/OuttoPlay
Lambda 10 for Fraternities/Sororities www.lambda10.org
Campus Pride Shop www.campuspride.org/Shop
44