LGBT Resource Center

Holiday of Heterosexism

noreply@blogger.com (Colette Beighley) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:46:00 +0000

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

Beyond the Wedding Ring: LGBT Activism Today

noreply@blogger.com (Colette Beighley) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:05:00 +0000

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.

Queer Eye for the Straight Bible Reader

noreply@blogger.com (Colette Beighley) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:20:00 +0000

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.

What Does It Mean to be Transgender?

noreply@blogger.com (Colette Beighley) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:48:00 +0000

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.

Tipping Point

noreply@blogger.com (Colette Beighley) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:11:00 +0000

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.

Is Gay the New Black?

noreply@blogger.com (Colette Beighley) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:13:00 +0000

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.

The "Queer" State of the Union!

noreply@blogger.com (Colette Beighley) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 03:24:00 +0000

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.

3 Ways to Get Involved with the LGBT Resource Center

noreply@blogger.com (Colette Beighley) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:28:00 +0000

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:

Ice Cream Social

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.

Mentor Program

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!

I Want the World to Know

noreply@blogger.com (Colette Beighley) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:55:00 +0000

Beautiful coming out stories at the I Want the World to Know!

GVSU's LGBT Resource Center has Star Power!

noreply@blogger.com (Colette Beighley) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:23:00 +0000

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.

Community Conversation has Begun!

noreply@blogger.com (Colette Beighley) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:26:00 +0000

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!

The Impact of Spiritual Violence

noreply@blogger.com (Colette Beighley) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:24:00 +0000

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!

Speaking Truth to Power

noreply@blogger.com (Colette Beighley) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:34:00 +0000

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

Fall Down Seven Times, Get Up Eight!

noreply@blogger.com (Colette Beighley) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:31:00 +0000

Last week LGBT Resource Center Director Milt Ford and I were in Denver for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s Creating Change conference. This event was attended by over 2,300 activists from around the country who pursue equality and justice work on behalf of the gay community. This was my second Creating Change conference and no less life changing than last year’s event. The opening plenary for this conference always features the Executive Director (ED) of the Task Force delivering “The State of the Movement” address. This year new Task Force ED Rea Carey shared her perspectives.

Understanding the state of the movement is particularly important at this time in history. The November elections were politically significant for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities. The election of Barack Obama marked many firsts for our nation including the fact that his acceptance speech was the first of its kind to acknowledge the gay community. As leaders in the movement, we celebrate the election of an LGBT-friendly President who believes that the United States Constitution applies to ALL Americans.

There were other substantial victories that bright November day. Representing Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District, Jared Polis became the first openly gay candidate to run for the U.S. House of Representatives where he handily won victory! A new day also dawned in Michigan. Our citizens voted in record numbers. In an exhilarating rout, Barack Obama won Michigan with 57% of the popular vote changing the political landscape of our state! Additionally, a significant upset occurred when Judge Diane Marie Hathaway unseated Clifford Taylor on the Michigan Supreme Court! The impact of Judge Hathaway’s victory is immeasurable, considering Judge Taylor’s longstanding opposition to LGBT equality. Judge Hathaway’s election provides renewed hope for justice and equality in the LGBT community.

However, the losses were profound. Sadly, Hamtramck no longer has a comprehensive anti-discrimination policy. Additionally, equality suffered devastating blows in California, Florida, Arkansas, and Arizona.

In her “State of the Movement” address Rea Carey commented on these losses,

“As we look back on this year, our confidence has been shaken and our anger has
been roused — but now is the time to turn our anger into action and our action
into long-lasting change. We must now refocus on regaining marriage equality in
California and winning across the country. But we need to remember that these
anti-marriage ballot measures are fundamentally about the larger right-wing
assault on the ever-expanding diversity in the United States, our freedom to
live openly and to create and define our sexuality, ourselves and our families.
. . As the magnet on my grandmother's fridge says, ‘Fall down seven times, get
up eight!’”

And so we brush ourselves off and renew our commitments. As we remember President-elect Obama’s acceptance speech and his acknowledgement of our community, we remain hopeful that this new President will bring the values of inclusion and equality to our broken nation and help us in the continuing journey on the road to equality.

Colette Beighley is Assistant Director of the GVSU LGBT Resource Center at 1161 Kirkhof Center. Her personal blog is “Mostly Sunny with a Chance of Gay.”