Developing a Positive Environment
Ways to Incorporate LGBTQA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Ally) Material into the Curriculum and How to Deal with Harassment
- Find out who famous LGBTQA people in your area of study are.
- Incorporate information about LGBTQA professionals and contributions into your materials.
- Find out what resources or associations have LGBTQA committees, working groups, organizations, or interests. Know whether or not sexual orientation/gender identity/expression is part of the non-discrimination policy and whether or not domestic partner benefits are available.
- Have resource materials (people to contact, books dealing with LGBTQA issues and topics and/or by LGBTQA authors).
- Use research dealing with LGBTQA issues.
- Keep informed about LGBTQA issues and concerns in your area.
- Use inclusive language.
- Celebrate LGBTQ Awareness Days.
Other things you can do:
- Be supportive and vocal in your support. Interrupt/stop heterosexist behavior and statements made by yourself and colleagues. Do not support jokes that degrade any group of people.
- Display a Safe Zone symbol and explain its purpose and importance to those who ask.
- Take sexual orientation/gender identity/expression into account when producing publications such as training manuals, program brochures, or flyers.
- Support local organizations and efforts to eliminate discrimination or harassment of any group of people.
- Be an informed voter! Participate in the political process.
The following checklist (adapted from an assessment by Vernon Wall and Jamie Washington) can help you assess whether or not your (campus, union, organization, etc.) environment is supportive to LGBTQA students and staff.
___ “Safe Person/Safe Space/Ally” symbols are displayed to designate support.
____ My campus has a LGBTQA employee or faculty/staff association.
____ My campus has courses regarding LGBTQA history and culture.
____ The non-discrimination policies of my union and campus include sexual orientation and gender expression/identity.
____ I have openly LGBTQA people on my professional staff.
____ There is a workshop each semester on LGBTQA issues that is handled through our training program.
____ We monitor publications, flyers, and handbooks to assure that they do not exclude LGBTQA people by assuming heterosexuality.
____ There is a strong commitment in our office to treat all people equally. This is as evident with our LGBTQA population as it is with people of color and/or underrepresented and underserved groups.
____ LGBTQA people would find my campus a relatively comfortable environment.
____ When there is an office social, LGBTQA colleagues are encouraged to bring their significant others or partners.
Points to keep in mind:
- Have a good understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity and be comfortable with your own
- Be aware of the coming out process and realize it is not a one-time event (refers to a LGBTQA persons coming out or coming out as a friend, family member, ally, or advocate)
- Understand internalized “homophobia” or anti-LGBTQA bias.
- Realize and understant the diversity within the LGBTQA community (LGBTQA people are not all alike).