Transcript ALLIES NETWORK TRAINING PITT - GREENSBURG Presented By Sheila Confer, MA Gayle Pamerleau, MSW, LCSW August 24, 2015

ALLIES NETWORK
TRAINING
PITT - GREENSBURG
Presented By
Sheila Confer, MA
Gayle Pamerleau, MSW, LCSW
August 24, 2015
 Welcome
and Introductions
 What is an Allies Network?
 Training Ground-Rules
 Sexual Identity/Gender Identity/Coming
Out/Homophobia/Heterosexism/Myths
 Student Panel Discussion-1
 Being an Ally
 Student Panel Discussion-2
 Campus and Community Resources
 Contracts and Closure
TRAINING OUTLINE
The Allies Network at Pitt-Greensburg provides a visible
source of support and information for gender and
sexual minorities. While other minority individuals
usually can identify role models and mentors, the
relative invisibility of sexual and gender diversity makes
it more difficult for GLBTQA (gay, lesbian, bisexual,
transgender, queer and asexual) members of a
university community to figure out where they can
safely turn for similar support. The Allies Network
identifies individuals who can provide those resources.
Upon completion of the training, staff and faculty can
choose to take an Allies Network sign for their office
wall or door.
WHAT IS AN ALLIES
NETWORK?
Ally:
An ally is a person who is a
member of the dominant
group who works to end
oppression in his or her own
personal and professional life
by supporting and advocating
with the oppressed population.
 Use
“I” statements and personally own any
comments
 Maintain confidentiality related to everything
that happens during this training.
 Be willing to ask questions and take risks should
the need arise.
 Demonstrate respect for the presenters and
other participants.
 Exercise your right to leave at any point in the
training if you feel so compelled.
 Do not interrupt others when they are speaking.
 Reserve the right to change your mind about
people and issues and about whether or not
you want to participate in the Allies Network.
TRAINING GROUND-RULES
I ______________________________________, am attending this
workshop of my own choosing and have in no way been
pressured to become an Allies Network member. I am
attending this workshop fully aware of the fact that I may
have prejudices (ideas) about lesbians, gays, bisexuals
and trans-gendered persons. I do hereby give myself
permission to set aside my pre-conceived ideas about
non-heterosexuals in order to potentially expand my
knowledge base related to LGBT people and issues. I also
give myself permission to freely ask questions about things
I do not understand or agree with. I agree to the Allies
Network Training ground rules listed below.
My purpose for attending this workshop is to learn more
about the Allies Network. I understand that at the
conclusion of the workshop, I can make a decision about
whether or not I wish to participate in the Allies Network.
ALLIES NETWORK
PERMISSION SLIP
NAMETAGS
THE “ALPHABET SOUP”
G
L
P
B
Q A
Q T
H
A
O
A
LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQA, TBLG: These
common acronyms refer to Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Asexual
(sometimes Ally). Although all of the
different identities within “LGBTQA” are
often lumped together there are specific
needs and concerns related to each
individual identity.
THE ACRONYM
What did you learn when you were
growing up about sexual and gender
minorities from:
•
Parents
•
Friends and family who are gay
•
Religion
•
Media (TV, Movies, Print Ads)
•
School
WHAT WE ARE TAUGHT
What words and stereotypes do
mainstream society apply to:
• Gay men
• Lesbians
• Transgender and other sexual
or gender minorities
WHAT WE HEAR
Always respect people’s desired selfidentifications. Never assume another person’s
identity based on that person’s appearance. It is
always best to ask people how they identify,
including what pronouns they prefer, and to
respect their wishes.
RESPECT
DEFINITIONS
A person’s emotional, physical and sexual
attraction and the expression of that attraction
with other individuals. Some of the better-known
labels or categories include “bisexual” (or
“multisexual”, “pansexual”, “omnisexual”),
“lesbian”, “gay” (“homosexual” is more clinical),
or “heterosexual”.
SEXUAL IDENTITY
A person who is primarily and/or exclusively
attracted to members of what they identify
as their own sex or gender. A clinical term
that originated in the late 1800s. Some
avoid the word because it contains the
base word “sex.” The terms “lesbian, bi and
gay” are preferred by many in the LGBT
community.
HOMOSEXUAL
A person who is emotionally, physically,
and/or sexually attracted and committed
to the members or a gender or sex that is
seen to be the “opposite” or other than
the one with which they identify or are
identified. Also called “straight”.
HETEROSEXUAL
A person who is emotionally, physically,
and/or sexually attracted to more than
one gender. Also called “bi”.
BISEXUAL
The fear or hatred of bisexual
people. This term addresses the ways
that prejudice against bisexuals
differs from prejudice against other
queer people. This fear or hatred
exists in lesbian, gay and
transgender communities, as well as
in straight communities.
BIPHOBIA
 King:
"Are you a non-practicing bisexual?"
 Paquin:
"Well, I am married to my husband and we
are happily monogamously married."
 King:
"But you were bisexual?"
 Paquin:
 Larry
"Well, I don’t think it’s a past-tense thing."
King: "No?"
 Paquin:
"No. Are you still straight if you are with
somebody -- if you were to break up with them or
if they were to die, it doesn’t prevent your sexuality
from existing. It doesn’t really work like that."
UNDERSTANDING
BISEXUALITY
A homosexual person. Usually used to
describe men but may be used to describe
women as well.
GAY
A homosexual woman.
LESBIAN
Used as an umbrella identity term encompassing
lesbians, questioning people, gay men, bisexuals, nonlabeling people, transgender folks, and anyone else who
does not strictly identify as heterosexual. Still considered
derogatory by many, it is being reclaimed and used as a
statement of empowerment. Some people identify this
way to distance themselves from the rigid categorization
of “straight” and “gay”. Some transgender, lesbian, gay,
questioning, non-labeling, and bisexual people, however,
reject the use of this term due to its connotations of
deviance and its tendency to gloss over and sometimes
deny the differences between groups.
QUEER
Thoughts, feelings, or actions based on
far, dislike, judgment, or hatred of
lesbians, gays and bisexuals. It is rooted in
sexism and can include prejudice,
discrimination, harassment, and acts of
violence.
HOMOPHOBIA
Internalized Homophobia: Fear or hatred of
homosexuality that exists inside one’s own
mind. Examples include:
 Making
a determined effort to dress or act
in such a way as to not appear to be queer
 Having
low self-esteem because of
concerns around being queer
A
gay man discriminating against another
gay man for acting ‘too feminine’ or ‘too
gay’
FORMS OF HOMOPHOBIA
Interpersonal Homophobia:
Homophobic speech and or actions of an individual
towards others who are, or who are perceived to be
lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender or queer. Examples
include:
 Violence,
physical harassment, name
calling, anti-queer hate crimes
 Jokes
that misrepresent or put down
queers, the suggestion that we should
‘understand’ when we are treated
differently
Institutional Homophobia: The ways in which
government, business, churches and other
organizations discriminate against lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender, and other queer
people. Examples include:

Policy or legislation that actively prevents same-sex
couples from being able to adopt or marry

Ignoring sexuality as a category on data collection
sheets

Being prevented from career opportunities or being
fired from a job for being queer or being perceived
as queer

Being prevented from taking a same-sex partner to
a school dance or prom.
From www.acon.org
Our anatomy as female, male or
intersex. Including internal and
external sex organs, chromosomes
and hormones.
BIOLOGICAL SEX
A set of classes that together include all nouns,
membership in a particular class being shown by the form of the
noun itself or by the form or choice of words that modify, replace, or
otherwise refer to the noun, as, in English, the choice of he to
replace the man, of she to replace the woman, of it to replace the
table, of it or she to replace the ship. The number of these in
different languages varies from 2 to more than 20; often the
classification correlates in part with sex or animateness. The most
familiar sets are of three classes (as masculine,feminine, and neuter in
Latin and German) or of two (as common and neuter in Dutch, or
masculine and feminine in French and Spanish).
GENDER
The sense of “being” male or “being”
female. For some people, gender
identity is in accord with physical
anatomy. For transgender people,
gender identity may differ from physical
anatomy or expected social roles. It is
important to note that gender identity,
biological sex, and sexual orientation are
not necessarily linked.
GENDER IDENTITY
Refers to the ways in which people
externally communicate their gender
identity to others through behavior,
clothing, hairstyle, voice and emphasizing,
de-emphasizing or changing their body’s
characteristics. Gender expression is not
necessarily an indication of sexual
orientation.
GENDER EXPRESSION
ASH BECKHAM ON GENDER
EXPRESSION
ASH BECKAM IS AN EQUALITY ADVOCATE WHO,
THROUGH HER WORK, SHARES HOW COMING OUT
AS A LESBIAN HELPED HER APPRECIATE OUR
COMMON HUMANITY AND BETTER UNDERSTAND THE
HARDSHIPS WE ALL FACE.
A person whose gender identity and
expression matches the gender
typically associated with their
biological sex. For example: a female
who identifies as a woman.
CISGENDER
A term which refers to individuals or groups who
“queer” or problematize the dominant notions of sex,
gender and desire in a given society. These people
possess identities which fall outside of the widely
accepted sexual binary. This term may also refer to
people who identify as both transgender AND queer,
i.e. individuals who challenge both gender and
sexuality norms and see gender identity and sexual
orientation as overlapping and interconnected.
GENDERQUEER
This is frequently used as an umbrella term to
refer to all people who deviate from their
assigned gender at birth or the binary gender
system. This includes transsexuals, crossdressers, genderqueers, drag kings, drag
queens, two-spirit people, and others. Some
people feel they exist not within one of the
two standard gender categories, but rather
somewhere between, beyond or outside of
those two genders.
TRANSGENDER
The fear or hatred of transgender people
or gender non-conforming behavior. Like
biphobia, this can also exist among
lesbian, gay, and bisexual people as well
as among heterosexual people.
TRANSPHOBIA
Surgical procedures that change one’s body to conform to one’s
gender identity. These procedures may include “top surgery”
(breast augmentation or removal) and “bottom surgery” (altering
genitals). For female-to-male transsexual individuals, surgeries
involve a bilateral mastectomy (chest reconstruction),
panhysterectomy (removal of the ovaries and uterus), and
sometimes a phalloplasty (construction of a penis) and
scrotoplasty (formation of a scrotum) or a metoidioplasty
(restructuring the clitoris). For male-to-female transsexual
individuals, surgeries consist of optional surgical breast implants
and vaginoplasty (construction of a vagina). Additional surgeries
might include a trachea shave (reducing the size of the Adam’s
apple), bone restructuring to feminize facial features, and hair
transplants. It is sometimes referred to as “gender reassignment
surgery” or “gender confirming surgery.”
HINT: IT IS NOT A SEX CHANGE
GENDER AFFIRMING SURGERY
“Off camera, I can talk to you, but I've chosen
not to talk about any of the stuff I've gotten
done, because I think so often when trans
people's experiences are talked about, we far
too often focus on surgery and transition, so I
don't talk about that. But I'm very happy with
the situation.” Laverne Cox responding to an
interview question about her surgeries.
Full Video
IT’S PERSONAL
Attitudes or behavior based on
traditional stereotypes of gender roles.
Discrimination or devaluation based on
a person’s sex or gender.
SEXISM
What role does sexism play in
discrimination against gender and
sexual minorities (LGBTQA)?
TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBOR
ASSESSING SEXUAL ORIENTATION
AND GENDER IDENTITY
•The Kinsey Scale
•Klein Sexual Orientation Grid
•The Genderbread Person
•Sexual Identity Development and Coming
Out
KINSEY SCALE
KLEIN SEXUAL ORIENTATION
GRID
Hiding one’s LGBT identity in order to
avoid negative social repercussions, such
as losing a job, housing, friends or family.
IN THE CLOSET
Many LGBT individuals are “out” in some situations and “closeted” in
others, based on their perceived level of safety.
To declare and affirm both to oneself and to others
one’s identity as lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, queer, etc. It is not a single event but
instead a life-long process.
COMING OUT
ASH BECKHAM ON COMING
OUT
FROM ASH BECKHAM’S TEDX BOULDER TALK. THIS IS
THE SECOND HALF OF THE TALK AFTER THE
EXCHANGE WITH PANCAKE GIRL.
Stage One – The Identity Question
Stage Two - Internal Identity Acceptance and
Education
Stage Three – Support
Stage Four – Pride
Stage Five – Relationships
Stage Six - Telling the Family
Stage Seven – Balance
SEVEN STAGES OF COMING OUT
Everyone is unique and not everyone will follow the
stages exactly. It is perfectly normal to go through the
stages in a different order, skip stages entirely or even go
through multiple stages at one time.
 Sunday,
October 11, 2015
 NCOD
was founded in 1988 by Robert
Eichberg, a psychologist from New Mexico and
founder of the personal growth workshop, The
Experience, and Jean O'Leary, an openly gay
political leader from Los Angeles and then
head of the National Gay Rights Advocates.
The date of October 11 was chosen because it
was the anniversary of the 1987 National March
on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights
NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY
(NCOD)
Sam Smith on Ellen
COMING OUT
Heterosexism refers to the social and cultural
“norms” that support the idea that
heterosexuality is inherently 'right' and anything
else isn’t. This is also known as ’heteronormativity’, the assumption that heterosexuality
is the norm and that everyone is heterosexual.
WHAT IS HETEROSEXISM?
HETEROSEXISM/
STRAIGHT
PRIVILEGE
Myths and
Oppressing Facts
LGBTQ People have many more sexual partners than heterosexuals.
FALSE
People who are LGBTQ can usually be identified by certain mannerisms or
physical characteristics.
FALSE
Transgender people face the similar types of discrimination as gays and
lesbians.
WORSE, ACTUALLY
The majority of child molesters are heterosexual men.
TRUE
Transgender people identify as homosexuals.
SOMETIMES
TRUE, FALSE OR SOMETHING ELSE?
Christians are united in their opposition to homosexual people
and homosexuality.
FALSE
All GLBTQ people are depressed and this proves that they are
going against all that is natural.
FALSE
Homosexuality can be cured with psychotherapy.
FALSE
If gay people adopt or have children they will raise them to be
gay.
FALSE
Bisexual people just “can’t make up their minds.”
FALSE
TRUE, FALSE OR SOMETHING ELSE?
 Who
am I
 How
do I define myself
 My
Experience at Pitt - Greensburg
STUDENT PANEL

Supreme Court Orders States to Recognize
Same-Sex Marriage – June 26, 2015

Arlington School Board Expands Protections for
Transgender People – July 1, 2015

OSHA Publishes Guide to Restroom Access for
Transgender Workers – June 1, 2015

Target to Remove Gender Based Labeling –
August 9, 2015
IT GETS BETTER

New York Man Arrested in Attack on Gay West Point
Couple – August 12, 2015

Teen Lesbian Couple Attacked in Alleged Hate Crime At
Six Flags New England – August 2, 2015

Authorities Investigating College Shooting As Possible
Anti-Gay Hate Crime – April 15, 2015

Gay Couple Thrown Off Bus, Told They Are Not ‘Real
Men’ For Kissing – October 21, 2014

Missouri Lawmakers Propose Ending Sexual Harassment
By Telling Interns To Dress Modestly – August 18, 2015
BUT…STRAIGHT FROM THE
HEADLINES
Papi Edwards
Lamia Beard
Ty Underwood
Yazmin Vash Payne
Taja DeJesus
Penny Proud
Bri Golec
Kristina Gomez
Reinwald
Tamara Dominguez
Keyshia Blige
Vanessa Santillan
Mya Hall
London Chanel
Mercedes Williamson
India Clarke
K.C. Haggard
Amber Monroe
Shade Schuler
Kandis Capri
Elisha Walker
TRANSGENDER WOMEN MURDERED
IN 2015 SO FAR
IN THE US ALONE
 73%
of Pennsylvanians are not
covered by a non-discrimination
ordinance which covers
discrimination based on actual or
perceived sexual orientation and
gender identity or expression in
employment, housing and public
accommodations.
HITTING HOME

Ally: Someone joined with another for a common
purpose.

Ally: A person who is a member of the
“dominant” or “majority” group who works to
end oppression in his or her personal and
professional life by supporting the gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgender communities.
SO YOU WANT TO BE AN ALLY
 Awareness
is the first level. Knowing who
you are and how you are different from
and similar to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender people is important. You
need to be able to think about who you
are and how you live your life.
4 STEPS TO BECOMING AN ALLY
 Knowledge/Education
is the second
step. Learning about sexual
orientation and what the experience
is like for gays, lesbians, bisexual, and
transgender people is necessary.
Understanding the effects of laws,
policies, and practices as well as
educating oneself about the culture
and norms of the gay community
enables a strong alliance.
4 STEPS TO BECOMING AN ALLY
 Skills
are the third level. Being
comfortable with and able to
share this new knowledge is an
important step in being an ALLY.
Being able to let others know your
status as an ALLY means
communicating this new
knowledge. Confronting
someone’s homophobic joke is an
example of using the newly
acquired skill.
4 STEPS TO BECOMING AN ALLY
 Action
is the final stage. This stage
involves actually initiating action to end
the oppression against gays, lesbians,
bisexuals, and transgender people. If this
new found information is kept to oneself,
then others are deprived of what has
been learned as well as how to develop
new insights and understandings about
the gay community. Developing or
participating in programs or events on
campus, joining the GSA or an activist
organization, marching in a gay rights
parade or wearing a pink triangle are
actions one can take at this stage.
4 STEPS TO BECOMING AN ALLY
AN IDEAL ALLY IS SOMEONE WHO...








Uses gender neutral terms, such as partner or significant other,
instead of gender specific terms like boyfriend or girlfriend.
Treats partners of LGBT friends the same as they would a straight
friend’s partner.
Doesn’t preface a statement on LGBT issues with “I’m straight,
but…”
Doesn’t expect an LGBT person to speak for the entire LGBT
community.
Doesn't assume everyone is heterosexual…or wants to be.
Does not ever out anyone. EVER.
Avoids anti-gay jokes and conversations and speaks out against
them.
Creates an atmosphere of acceptance and respect.
AN IDEAL ALLY IS SOMEONE WHO...
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Doesn’t think of people as “my gay student” or “my lesbian
friend.”
Understands the basics of LGBT issues but is not afraid to ask
questions.
Avoids stereotypes and makes clear that stereotypes don’t
represent the entire LGBT community.
Creates an atmosphere of acceptance and respect.
Actively pursues a process of self-education. Read and ask
questions. Educates others: one-on-one, group programming,
teachable moments.
Is an ally in the fight against sexism and racism as well, as these
issues all intersect.
Acknowledges and takes responsibility for one’s own socialization,
prejudice and privilege.
ASH BECKHAM ON ONE TINY THING
YOU CAN DO THAT WILL MAKE YOU A
SUPER AWESOME ALLY

THE PERFECT ALLY
Four Tips to Being A Better Friend To Trans
People
Liberty Hill and Emotions the Poet - 4 quick tips
Example of a media outlet being trans
supportive and respectful
Caitlyn Jenner - Nightline Story
BEING A TRANS ALLY
“I will not call myself an ally. Instead,
I will try to live my life in such a way
that others will call me one.” – Some
guy on Twitter
SHEILA’S FAVORITE TWEET EVER
What
would you expect
from an ally?
Situations
that might call
for an ally.
STUDENT PANEL
Campus and
Community Resources
 Pitt-Greensburg
Allies Network
 Pitt-Greensburg Gay Straight
Alliance
 Pitt-Greensburg Website –
Diversity Resources
 Straight for Equality
 Wipeout Homophobia on
Facebook
EDUCATE YOURSELF…

The Human Rights Campaign www.hrc.org

Equality Pennsylvania www.equalitypa.org

Transgender Law Center –
www.transgenderlawcenter.org

The New Civil Rights Movement
http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com

NOH8 Campaign http://www.noh8campaign.com/
OTHER WEBSITES…
Definitions have been modified from the following websites:

http://lesbianlife.about.com/od/trans/g/GenderExpressio
.htm

http://www.indiana.edu/~overseas/lesbigay/advise/pers
pective.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homophobia
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS
AND CLOSURE