LGBT Resource Center
Queer Eye for the Straight Bible Reader
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Labels: Bible, Grand Valley State University, GVSU LGBT Resource Center, Miguel de la Torre, OnGoing LGBT Conference, spiritual violence
Posted 9:20 PM
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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. Labels: Donna Rose, GVSU LGBT Resource Center, transgender, Transgender Day of Remembrance, transsexual
Posted 1:48 PM
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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
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Is Gay the New Black?
Monday, October 12, 2009
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
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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
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3 Ways to Get Involved with the LGBT Resource Center
Monday, September 14, 2009
Exciting times here at the LGBT Resource Center as we begin the new school year! Now all we need is YOU! Mark your calendar and turn out for these great events:
This Wednesday, September 16 -- Join us as we host an ice cream social for our student group Out'N'About. Stop by and help them kick off the new 2009-2010 academic year! You can check out the LGBT Resource Center at the same time: 1161 Kirkhof Center, 8:30 p.m.
Want to get connected to the LGBT community at GVSU? Need some help answering the question "What is Au Sable?" Sign up to participate in our mentoring program. We are accepting applications for mentors and mentees on our website. Registration ends this Friday, September 18.
"The Queer State of the Union"
On Monday, September 21, the first of this year's OnGoing LGBT Conferences will be presented by nationally-known LGBT activist Sean Kosofsky. Join us as Sean brings us up to speed on all the political changes affecting the LGBT community that have happened since President Obama's inauguration. Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center, September 21 at 4 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.
For more information on any of these programs or to request special accommodations, check out our website or contact our office at 331-2530.
Now is the time to get involved and be part of this GREAT year!
Labels: GVSU LGBT Resource Center, mentor program, OnGoing LGBT Conference, Out'N'About, Sean Kosofsky
Posted 4:28 PM
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I Want the World to Know
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Beautiful coming out stories at the I Want the World to Know!
Labels: coming out, courage, gay, homophobia, lgbt, suicide
Posted 10:55 AM
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