Transcript GLBT-What? Information You Need to Know but Are Afraid to Ask

GLBT-What? Information You Need
to Know but Are Afraid to Ask
Presented by
Sara Bendoraitis & Rachel Lachenauer
Goals
• Generate awareness of another cultural group;
one that’s often misunderstood
• Learn the ways in which homophobia and
heterosexism affect everyone
• Understand ways in which you can help your
organizations and campus be more inclusive
What does GLBT mean?
The Basics
• Sex v. Gender
– Gender Identity
– Gender Expression
• Sexual Orientation
What is the Difference Between
Gender & Sex?
Our physical sex is what we are born with in
terms of chromosomes, hormones and our
primary and secondary sex characteristics.
Male
Intersex
Female
Genitals do not determine identity!
Gender & Gender Identity
• Gender is the collection of characteristics that are culturally
associated with maleness and femaleness
• The absolute dichotomy of male/female, women/men is
socially constructed
• Our gender identity is an internal identity that we develop
at an early age (by age 3).
Man
Fluid
Woman
What is Gender Expression?
• In contrast to gender identity, a person’s gender expression
is external and socially perceived.
• Gender expression refers to all the external characteristics
and behaviors that are socially defined as either masculine or
feminine: hairstyle, clothing, gestures, shape of one’s body,
vocabulary, tone of voice, etc.
• In other words, it is one’s outward expression of gender.
Masculine
Androgynous
Feminine
What is Sexual Orientation?
The direction of our sexual, emotional and intellectual
interest toward members of the same, opposite, or both
sexes
Homosexual
Bisexual
Heterosexual
GLBT
LGBT
GLBTA
GLBTAQ
GLBTAQ²
GLBTAQ²I
GLBTA Vocabulary
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Lesbian
Gay
Bisexual
Pansexual
Heterosexual
Homosexual
Straight
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ally
Queer
Transgender
Transsexual
Intersex
Other Terms?
Coming Out
Coming Out
• Coming out is a process of understanding, accepting,
and valuing one's sexual orientation/identity.
• Coming out includes both exploring one's identity and
sharing that identity with others. It also involves coping
with societal responses and attitudes toward GLBT
people.
• The coming out process is very personal. This process
happens in different ways and occurs at different ages
for different people.
• Coming out is a continuing, sometimes lifelong, process.
The Benefits and Risks
The benefits of coming out:
• Developing closer, more genuine
relationships.
• Building self-esteem from being
known and loved for who we
really are.
• Reducing the stress of hiding your
identity.
• Helping to dispel myths and
stereotypes about who GLBT
people are and what their lives are
like.
• Making it easier for younger
GLBT people who will follow in
your footsteps.
The risks of coming out:
• Not everyone will be
understanding or accepting.
• Family, friends or co-workers may
be shocked, confused or even
hostile.
• Some relationships may
permanently change.
• We may experience harassment or
discrimination.
• Some young people, especially
those under age 18, may be thrown
out of their homes or lose financial
support from parents.
Many Paths Along the Journey of
LGBTQ Development
• Discovery – What events or processes might prompt a person to
discover or realize they may be LGBTQ?
• Disclosure – If, to whom, how many, and when does a person tell
others about their LGBTQ identity?
• Diverting Attention or Hiding Out – What are different ways in
which LGBTQ people might “hide out” or various strategies for
deflecting attention (their own as well as others) away from their
LGBTQ identity due to the stigma of homophobia and heterosexism?
• Managing Multiple Identities – What are different ways in which
LGBTQ people many handle or hold their multiple identities:
LGBTQ along with religious, cultural, racial, and/or ethnic
identities?
Homophobia: The irrational tear and/or
hatred of GLBT people because these
individuals do not conform to traditional
sex-role stereotypes.
Heterosexism: A conscious or unconscious
action or institutional structure that
subordinates a person because of his/her
sexual orientation.
Privilege: A right or resource that one group
has access to and from which other groups
are denied.
Privilege
I don’t worry about my safety when holding my boyfriend’s / girlfriend’s hand as
we walk down the street.
 I don’t worry about telling my friends about what I am doing on Saturday night. I
never need to cover up my plans because I am afraid of what they might think.
 I am never concerned that my friends might describe me as their “straight friend.”
 Representations of my family structure, romantic relationships and general daily
experience are widely represented in films, books and on television.
 I can live in any state and not be afraid of being fired or losing my housing simply
because of whom I love.
 I will never be imprisoned for consensual sex with my chosen partner.
 I don’t have to worry that my parent(s) might disown me, throw me out, or not
pay for my education, if he/she/they knew who I was friends with, or with whom I
was in love.
 I never worry about telling my friends of the clubs/campus activities I participate
in.

Privilege
I never have to worry about coming out to my friends as heterosexual.
 I am not automatically suspect if I choose to work with any youth organization.
 I have never been confronted for being in my assigned public restroom.
 I have never been mistaken for another gender.
 I have never been excluded from a job or social activity simply because the
organizers think it would be an embarrassment to have me participate or that it
would be too great a hassle to ensure needed accommodations.
 I have never had to hold my urge to use the restroom while on campus or
anywhere else in public simply because I fear being confronted and possibly
attacked or arrested.
 I have never had someone I love refuse to acknowledge or even use my chosen
legal name.
 I don’t give second thought that the shower and locker room facilities at my
gym are available for me to safely use.

How Does
Your College
Measure Up?
Things To Think About
Sexual orientation and gender identity and expression
included in the college non-discrimination policy?
 Does the college offer domestic partner benefits to all?
 Does the college have events with a GLBT focus or theme?
 s there a GLBT student organization?
 Is there a GLBT campus office?
 Are there open GLBT faculty and staff?
 Are there GLBT housing options?
 Are there courses in GLBT Studies?
 Major/Minor in GLBT Studies offered?
 Are there gay neighborhoods near the college campus?
 Does the campus feel welcoming to GLBT students?
 Have you met GLBT students?

Steps to Improve Campus Climate for
GLBT People
– Safety on Campus & Training of Public Safety Issues
– Non-Discrimination Policies
– Gender Designation on College Records
– Single User/Gender Neutral Restrooms
– Residence Halls & Housing Options
– Access to Inclusive Health Care
– GLBT issues & Queer Theory in Academics
What Can You Do To Help?

Know Thyself – Be aware of what your own thoughts and ideas are on GLBT issues.
Decide where you stand, and if you can be supportive regarding all facets of GLBT issues.

Role Model –Be vocal about your support of the community, and let your peers know why
you feel that way.

Confront Homophobia –When you become aware of homophobic acts/speech, confront
them. When the opportunity arises to discuss GLBT issues, do not shy away from it.

Combat Heterosexism –We assume that everyone we know is heterosexual-that is rarely
true. However, in only safe environments do members of the GLBT community feel
comfortable “coming out.”

Confront Oppression – Appreciating diversity within your organization usually starts
with a conversation about how the members are all the same, and then how the members are
all different. How does your group reach out to those who are different from them racially,
socioeconomically, culturally, etc?

Do Something – Do not be immobilized by the fear of doing something “wrong” in regards
to discussing GLBT issues. The more mistakes you make, the more you and your peers will
learn.
Questions?
Resources
• National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:
www.thetaskforce.org
• National Center for Transgender Equality:
www.transequality.org
• Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN):
www.glsen.org
• Human Rights Campaign: www.hrc.org
• Advocates for Youth:
www.advocatesforyouth.org/glbtq.htm
• Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFlag):
www.pflag.org
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Ally Resource Center
American University
202-885-3347
[email protected]
www.american.edu/glbta