INTRO TO LGBT

LGBTQQ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning:  Lesbian – a girl who is interested in dating, has loving feelings, or sexual attraction for another girl  Gay – a boy who is interested in dating, has loving feelings, or sexual attraction for another boy  Bisexual – a person who is interested in dating, having loving feelings, or sexual attraction for both boys and girls  Transgender – a person who feels on the inside a different sex than they were born. This person expresses their gender as different from their assigned sex at birth  Queer – Reclaimed derogatory slang for the sexual minority community  Questioning – Someone who is questioning their sexual orientation Review of Terminology

Exercise  Think of a time when you felt like an outsider.  How did you feel?  Who did you talk to?

LGBTQQ Students at Higher Risk  LGBTQQ students in the Iowa Pride Network survey of Iowa colleges were 25% more likely to consider suicide than their straight peers.  Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior Survey found LGBT high school students to be much more likely to have been harassed, threatened with a weapon, depressed and used hard drugs.

Supportive Staff and Resources Create Safer Institutions  Students didn’t know how to report.  Of students who reported being harassed or assaulted in the survey, the majority (62.6%) never informed campus officials.  Students feel safer if they know that their institution has an anti-harassment and non- discrimination policy; and even safer if they know how to report harassment and discrimination.  Policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity also make LGBT students feel safer.

Anti-Discrimination Statement  Maharishi University of Management believes that all educational and employment decisions should be based on an individual’s performance and qualification and not on irrelevant factors such as personal characteristics or happenstance of birth unrelated to academic or job performance. The University considers irrelevant factors regarding sex, age, race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran‘s status, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Code of Student Behavior  Honoring diversity is one of the core values of Maharishi University of Management. We honor cultural diversity as well as diverse backgrounds and viewpoints, and welcome everyone’s contributions. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. This includes, but is not limited to, harassment on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, disability, status as a veteran, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or political belief. Should you have any concerns, please contact the Dean of Student Life or any other member of the Department of Student Life. When the University becomes aware that harassment might exist, prompt and appropriate action will be taken.

What you can do  Work to make MUM a safe and supportive space for everyone  Don’t assume someone’s partner is of the opposite biological sex  Name it, Claim it, Stop it – if you hear homophobic remarks  Let others know that you support people who are LGBT – Safe Stickers  Support MUM’s Gay/Straight Alliance  Know how to report harassment and discrimination