CREATING SAFE SPACE FOR LGBTQ STUDENTS JOHNSON CENTER LUNCH, SEPTEMBER 2015

TERMS & CONCEPTS LGBTQ: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning Transgender Terminology: terminology terminology Queer: A term used to refer to lesbian, gay, bisexual and often also transgender people. Some use queer as an alternative to “gay” in an effort to be more inclusive. Depending on the user, the term his either a derogatory or an affirming connotation, as many have sought to reclaim the term that was once widely used in a negative way.

TERMS & CONCEPTS LGBTQ: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning Transgender Terminology: terminology terminology Gender Identity: An individual’s internal sense of being male, female, or something else. Since gender identity is internal, it is not necessarily visible to others

TERMS & CONCEPTS LGBTQ: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning Transgender Terminology: terminology terminology Gender Expression: How a person represents or expresses one’s gender identity to others, often through behavior, clothing, hairstyles, voice, or body characteristics.

TERMS & CONCEPTS LGBTQ: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning Transgender Terminology: terminology terminology Transgender: A term for people whose gender identity, expression, or behavior is different from those typically associated with their assigned sex at birth

TERMS & CONCEPTS LGBTQ: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning Transgender Terminology: terminology terminology Genderqueer: A term used by some individuals who identify as neither entirely male nor entirely female. Gender non-conforming: A term for individuals whose gender expression is different from societal expectations related to gender.

VIDEO “What LGBTQ Students Want Their Professors to Know” Via Chronicle of Higher Education: What-LGBTQ-Students/232797http://chronicle.com/article/Ask-Me- What-LGBTQ-Students/232797

CLASSROOM PRACTICES Inclusive statements on syllabi: Pronouns: All humans have the right to be addressed in accordance with their personal identity. Sometimes this means you’d prefer me to call you “Jim” rather than “James.” Sometimes this means that though your given name might be “Helen,” you identify as male and would prefer to go by a different name and a masculine pronoun. In all cases, students’ preferences of address will be honored. If you have reason to believe that I may refer to you by the incorrect pronoun (“s/he”), please let me know how you would prefer to be addressed (she, he, they, ze, etc.) right away.

CLASSROOM PRACTICES Inclusive statements on syllabi: This will be a partially discussion-oriented class, where we will explore the world of color together. I look forward to hearing your ideas about and reactions to the texts. I also remind you that your voice and the voices of your peers and classmates are equally valuable. Under no circumstances should you respond, verbally or nonverbally, with ridicule, disparagement, harassment, or any other unkindness, to anything they have to say. I do not expect any disruptions to this policy. However, in the event that you engage in disrespectful behavior (including discrimination, inflammatory speech, or cell phone activity during class), I may ask you to leave class and count you as absent.

CLASSROOM PRACTICES Inclusive statements on syllabi Avoid outing students by using given/legal names in class Take roll on first day by reading last names, ask students for preferred first names Have students fill out a card with their name and identifying information rather than calling out names students before class to ask for preferred names Send around the roster, have students write in preferred names Managing difficult situations

FACULTY-STUDENT RELATIONSHIPS Making connections for students Ask the student for the preferred strategy Don’t out them to others without permission Traveling with students Mentor/mentee relationships