LGBT Resource Center

Holiday of Heterosexism

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

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

Posted 2:46 PM 0 Comments

Beyond the Wedding Ring: LGBT Activism Today

Please join us February 16, 2010 at 4 p.m. for the OnGoing LGBT Conference: LGBT & Leadership:

"Beyond the Wedding Ring:

LGBT Activism Today"

Presented by Urvashi Vaid

Urvashi Vaid is the Executive Director of the Arcus Foundation and former Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

Ms. Vaid is author of the book, Virtual Equality: The Mainstreaming of Gay and Lesbian Liberation and was named one of Out Magazine's "50 Most Influential Leaders" in April 2009 and one of the "Top Ten Most Influential Asian Woman in America" by Ms. Magazine.

This event will take place in the Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center, Allendale, MI. For more information please visit our website. For directions, click here. This event is free and open to the public.

Labels: gay marriage, LGBT Leadership, marriage equality, OnGoing LGBT Conference, Urvashi Vaid

Posted 1:05 PM 0 Comments

Queer Eye for the Straight Bible Reader

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Rev. Dr. Miguel de la Torre returns to West Michigan this Tuesday, January 19, to present "Queer Eye for the Straight Bible Reader" to our OnGoing LGBT Conference: LGBT and Spirituality.

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

Posted 9:20 PM 0 Comments

What Does It Mean to be Transgender?

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

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.

The LGBT Resource Center is proud to present our OnGoing LGBT Conference: LGBT Gender and Sexuality featuring Donna Rose - a nationally-respected post-operative transsexual woman. Donna lived successfully for 40 years as a man in a man's world. Today she is a well-known educator, author, advocate, and spokesperson on transgender and transsexual issues. Donna will be speaking on "Transgender: Myths, Stereotypes, and Realities."

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

Posted 1:48 PM 0 Comments

Tipping Point

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

The past seven days have been incredibly significant for the LGBT movement. If you've walked by the LGBT Resource Center (KC1161) in the past week, you may have noticed signs, streamers and balloons as well as a big party!

Last Wednesday, October 28, President Obama signed the federal hate crimes bill into law. It was an historic and long-awaited victory. In describing the Matthew Shepard & James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Bill which he was about to sign, President Obama said the following:

"After more than a decade of opposition and delay, we've passed inclusive hate crimes legislation to help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like, who they love, how they pray, or who they are."

This is the first ever LGBT-inclusive piece of federal legislation!

Acknowledging this historic moment, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force issued the following statement:

"Joy comes not easily when we have all waited a too-long 11 years for passage of federal legislation that actually brings a measure of justice to victims of violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, gender, national origin and disability."

The LGBT Resource Center thanks all who labored tirelessly for 11 years to make this happen.

History has also been made in our own state. Yesterday the citizens of Kalamazoo passed an inclusive Non-Discrimination Ordinance in a 2 to 1 vote! This ordinance adds protection in employment and housing for discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

The LGBT Resource Center sends a huge shout out to ONE Kalamazoo (or "WON" Kalamazoo!) for their hard work to pass this ballot measure.

Washington state's Referendum 71, which would preserve the state's expanded domestic partnership law, was leading 51% to 49% as of last night. Election officials are expected to release the results this afternoon. We are hopeful. [Later that day, we learned that Washington State passed Referendum 71 keeping legal protections for lesbian and gay couples! Add that to the tipping point!]

It is also a sad day as we acknowledge the defeat of marriage equality in Maine. There is no way to explain the level of injustice in putting the rights of a minority up to a vote of the majority. Thank you to all those individuals who worked on the "No on 1" campaign.

Putting this defeat in context, Rea Carey, Executive Director, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force offered the following:

"Despite this setback, the tide clearly is turning nationwide in favor of marriage equality. We are confident that Maine will again join the growing number of states that extend the essential security and legal protections of marriage to all loving, committed couples."

Happily, with this administration, we see the tide IS turning, and we are hopeful that these victories represent a tipping point on matters of equality and justice for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and trangender communities.

Labels: federal hate crimes law, GVSU LGBT Resource Center, Kalamazoo Non-Discrimination Ordinance, marriage equality, No on 1, Referendum 71

Posted 10:11 AM 0 Comments

Is Gay the New Black?

Monday, October 12, 2009

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

Posted 7:13 AM 0 Comments

The "Queer" State of the Union!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

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

Posted 11:24 PM 0 Comments