1. LGBTABC S AN INTRODUCTION TO LGBT CONCEPTS Joel Kramer Andrew Morse

2. OVERVIEW OF TODAY’S PRESENTATION Discussion of Basic Definitions and Cultural Symbols Recognizing Prejudice in Homophobia and Ignorance in the Gender Binary Information on UT campus climate Helpful Tips on How to Take Action Campus Resources Questions?

3. BASIC DEFINITIONS LGB/GLB: Refers collectively to non-heterosexual people. Some times seen as LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQIA, GLTBTQQIA, LGBTQQIAA, etc. Lesbian – Women who feel emotional and sexual desire for other women. Gay – Men who feel emotional and sexual desire for other men. Bisexual – Men or Women who feel emotional and sexual desire for men or women.

4. BASIC DEFINITIONS - CONTINUED Transgender – One whose gender identity does not match their biological sexual identity. This does not include a specific sexual orientation. MAAB/FAAB – Male (or Female) assigned at birth. Cis Male/Female – A person whose gender identity matches the one assigned at birth. Transsexual – Transgendered persons who have their bodies surgically and/or hormonally reconstructed to match their gender identity. MTF – MAAB who transitions/is transitioning to a female identity. FTM – FAAB who transitions/is transitioning to a male identity.

5. BASIC DEFINITIONS CONCLUDED Questioning – A person who is questioning their gender, sexual identity, or sexual orientation. Ally - A non-LGBT person who works toward combating discrimination against that community. Asexual – A person who does not experience sexual attraction. Coming Out – To declare one’s sexual identity.

6. WHAT IS ‘QUEER?’ This is an umbrella term that exists for those who identify outside of the gender binary, are non-heterosexual, and not heteronormative, Individuals may identify as Queer for a number of reasons, which include: - The view that mainstream terms or non-heterosexual categories are too assimilationist and representations of an oppressive system of heterosexual privilege. While it has been used as hate speech against LGBT people, non- heterosexual individuals and groups have re-appropriated the term to identify as such for the reasons listed above.

7. SYMBOLISM & CULTURE Examples of LGBT Cultural Artifacts Gay pride month Stonewall Coming Out Day Pride parades & festivals Day of Silence Examples of LGBT Symbols

8. RECOGNIZING THE GENDER BINARY Gender Binary: The idea that issues of gender, attraction, orientation, and sexual identity are fixed. In the traditional gender binary model, people are one or the other. Male v. Female Man v. Woman Straight v. Gay Masculine v. Feminine

9. RECOGNIZING HOMOPHOBIA Homophobia is  Fear of or contempt for lesbians and gay men.  Behavior based on such a feeling. Examples of homophobic behavior  Malicious gossip, name-calling, intimidating looks, internet bullying, vandalism and theft of property, and social discrimination. Homophobia is also institutionalized  Fear or hatred of lesbians and gay individuals that is written and enforced through established tradition or policy  Examples: Benefits not extended to same-sex families

10. WHAT ABOUT UT CAMPUS CLIMATE? DeVita (2006): Asked LGBT students about their perceptions of campus climate and their experiences on campus  Nearly half of LGB students do not feel welcome on campus  Over half of LGB students have been harassed because of identity  Lack of support services make it difficult for LGBT students to be happy at UTK  Primary responsibility for services & activities at UTK lies with students

11. MORE ABOUT UT CAMPUS CLIMATE Carriere, Ebert & Stypa, 2009  The Importance of Support Networks  Developing of Personal Confidence  Flying Under the Radar Significant Conclusions  Strong social networks are essential for these students, and are often found in academic disciplines, organizations, and residence life.  Presence of LGBT allies and staff may boost students’ confidence in their sexual identity.  A collaborative effort is necessary by all campus constituents to create a positive climate in which students do not feel the need to fly under the radar.

12. A FINAL THOUGHT ON CAMPUS CLIMATE Strayhorn, DeVita & Blakewood, 2008 Participants expressed an expectation to “come out” during their time as an undergraduate and make connections with others who identify as LGB. Participants have had difficulty finding satisfying romantic relationships; expressed attraction primarily to white males. Participants’ exploration of sexual orientation was much more salient than exploration of their racial identity.

13. TIPS FROM AN ALLY To be a good ally, a great first step is to practice the Golden Rule. Move from ACCEPTANCE to APPRECIATION … from TOLERANCE to SUPPORT … PITY to EMPATHY … from APATHY to ADVOCACY … from IGNORANCE to a COMMITMENT TO EDUCATE YOURSELF LEARN TO LOVE AND APPRECIATE THE HUMANITY AND DIGNITY OF OTHERS.

14. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY RESOURCES OUTreach: LGBT & Ally Resource Centerhttp://lgbt.utk.edu/centerhttp://lgbt.utk.edu/center Lambda Student Union http://www.utklambda.org/http://www.utklambda.org/ LGBTANet – UT Listservehttp://listserv.utk.edu/archives/lgbtanet.htmlhttp://listserv.utk.edu/archives/lgbtanet.html Commission for LGBT Peoplehttp://lgbt.utk.edu/http://lgbt.utk.edu/ University Library Diversity Linkwww.lib.utk.edu/diversity/culturecorner/www.lib.utk.edu/diversity/culturecorner/ Out and About Knoxvillewww.outandaboutknoxville.comwww.outandaboutknoxville.com University of Tennessee Counseling Centerhttp://counselingcenter.utk.edu Knoxville Hate Crimes Work Group www.discoveret.org/knohate/www.discoveret.org/knohate/

15. MORE ON CAMPUS & COMMUNITY RESOURCES Integrity: Episcopal Gay Support Groupwww.integrityusa.orgwww.integrityusa.org Pridenet: Tennesseewww.pridenet.com/tn.htmlwww.pridenet.com/tn.html Tennessee Equality Project www.tnep.org/html/educate.htmlwww.tnep.org/html/educate.html Gay Men’s Support Groupwww.gaydisc.orgwww.gaydisc.org Knoxville Pride Organization www.knoxvillepride.comwww.knoxvillepride.com

16. QUESTIONS?