Office of Diversity and Inclusion

OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION Table of Contents GENDER & SEXUALITY RESOURCE BOOK ______8 Gender & Sexuality ______8 Why You Should Read This ______8 Gender and Sexuality Resource Book ______9 Acknowledgement ______9 The Purpose ______10 Gender ______11 Introduction to Gender ______11 Gender Expression ______11 A Developmental Perspective on Gender ______12 Pronoun Primer ______13 Sexuality ______14 Introduction to Sexuality ______14 The Power of Words ______15 Law and Policy ______15 Federal Law ______16 Augusta University ______16 Augusta University nondiscrimination/Anti-Harassment policy ______17 Augusta University Values ______17 Augusta University Healthy Respect Pledge: ______18 Facts and Figures ______19 Realities of Harassment and Discrimination ______19 Classroom Tips ______20 Avoiding Common Classroom Mistakes ______20 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers ______22 FAQ ______22 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (Continued) ______23 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (Continued) ______24 Language Guide ______24 Not Preferred – Preferred – Explanation ______25 Language Guide Continued ______25 Language Guide Continued ______27 Language Guide Continued ______28 10 Ways to Be An Ally & A Friend ______28

OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION How To Be An LGBT Ally ______29 What is “Coming Out?” ______31 If Someone Comes Out To You. ______31 Don’t______31 Do ______32 What is Homophobia? ______32 What Can I Do To Help Stop Homophobia? ______32 What’s Transphobia? ______33 What can I do to Help Stop Transphobia? ______33 Ways to Show Your Support to the LGBT Community ______34 Myths & Facts About LGBT People ______35 Guiding Questions/Case Scenarios ______35 Case Scenario 1 ______36 Answers 1 ______36 Case Scenario 2 ______36 Answers 2 ______36 Case Scenario 3 ______37 Answers 3 ______37 Case Scenario 4 ______37 Answers 4 ______37 Case Scenario 5 ______38 Answers 5 ______38 RESOURCES ______39 AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY, LOCAL & STATE RESOURCES ______39 Augusta University Counseling Center...... 706-737-1471 ______39 Augusta University Equality Clinic...... www.equalityclinicaugusta.com ______39 Augusta University Lambda Alliance...... www.facebook.com/augustalambdaalliance ______39 PFLAG Aiken ...... 803-341-3675 ______39 Georgia Health Initiative...... 404-688-2524 ______39 Georgia Equality ...... 404-523-3070 ______39 Ryan White Program ...... 877-464-4772 ______40 Augusta University Office of Diversity & Inclusion ...... 706-721-6890 ______40 Augusta University Office of Employment Equity ...... 706-721-7285 ______40 MCG Office of Student & Multicultural Affairs ...... 706-721-1420 ______40 College of Nursing Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board....www.augusta.edu/nursing/diversity ______40 Augusta University Safe Zone Committee & Website ...... 706-721-6890 ______40 Augusta University Women's and Gender Studies Program...... 706-729-2204 ______40 Greenblatt Library LGBT Health Care Resources...... www.augusta.edu/library/Greenblatt/lgbt ______41 NATIONAL RESOURCES ______41 Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals.....www.lgbtcampus.org ______41 Campus PRIDE...... wwww.campuspride.org ______41 Gay and Lesbian Medical Association ...... 202-600-8037 ______41 Human Rights Campaign (& Health Equality Index)...... www.hrc.org ______41

OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION Lambda Legal ...... 404-897-1880 ______41 Gay, Lesbian and Straight Educators Network ...... 212-727-0135 ______41 GLBT National Help Center ...... 1-888-843-4564 ______41 Trevor Project ...... 1-866-488-7386 ______42 Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) ...... www.glaad.org ______42 Equality Forum ...... 215-732-3378 ______42 National Center for Transgender Equality ...... 202-642-4542 ______42 The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force...... www.thetaskforce.org ______42 National Black Justice Coalition...... www.nbjc.org ______42 The Transgender Law and Policy Institute...... www.transgenderlaw.org ______43 ELECTRONIC RESOURCES: ______43 Interactive Pronoun Application: ...... www.minus18.org.au/pronouns ______43 Refuge Restroom Gender Neutral Bathroom Locator:...... www.refugerestrooms.org ______43 WEB RESOURCES ON GENDER AND SEXUALITY ______43 Asexual Visibility and Education Network...... www.asexuality.org ______43 Intersex Society of North America ...... www.isna.org ______43 TransWhat?...... www.transwhat.org ______43 We Are The Youth...... www.wearetheyouth.org ______43 Soul Force...... wwww.soulforce.org ______43 LGBTQ+ VOCABULARY GUIDE ______45 A ______45 Advocate ______45 Agender ______45 Ally ______45 Androgyny ______45 Aromantic ______45 Asexual ______46 B ______46 Bigender ______46 Bicurious ______46 Biological Sex ______46 Biphobia ______46 Bisexual ______47 Butch ______47 C ______47 Cisgender ______47 Cissexism ______47 Cisnormativity ______47 Closeted ______47 Coming Out ______47 Constellation ______48 Cross-Dresser ______48 D ______48 Demiromantic ______48 Demisexual ______48 Down Low ______48 Drag King ______48 Drag Queen ______48 Dyke ______48 E ______48 Emotional Attraction ______48 F ______48 Fag ______48 Feminine-Of-Center; Masculine-Of-Center ______48

OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION Feminine-Presenting; Masculine-Presenting ______49 Femme ______49 Fluid ______49 FTM / F2M; MTF / M2F ______49 G ______49 Gay ______49 Gender Binary ______49 Gender Expression______49 Gender Fluid ______49 Gender Identity ______49 Gender Neutrois ______50 Gender Non-Conforming ______50 Gender Normative ______50 Genderqueer ______50 Gender Variant ______50 H ______50 Heteronormativity ______50 Hermaphrodite ______50 Heteronormativity ______50 Heterosexism ______50 Heterosexual ______51 Homophobia ______51 Homosexual ______51 I ______51 Intersex ______51 J ______51 K ______51 L ______52 Lesbian ______52 LGBTQ; GSM; DSG ______52 Lipstick Lesbian ______52 M ______52 Metrosexual ______52 MSM / WSW ______52 Mx. ______52 N ______52 O ______52 Outing ______52 P ______52 Pansexual ______53 Passing ______53 PGPs ______53 Polyamory ______53 Q ______53 Queer ______53 Questioning ______53 QPOC / QTPOC ______54 R ______54 Romantic Attraction ______54 S ______54 Same Gender Loving (SGL) ______54 Sex Assigned At Birth (SAAB) ______54 Sexual Attraction ______54 Sexual Orientation ______54 Sexual Preference ______54 Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) ______54

OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION Spiritual Attraction ______54 Straight ______55 T ______55 Third Gender ______55 Top Surgery ______55 Trans ______55 Transgender ______55 Transition ______55 Transman ______55 Transphobia ______55 Transsexual ______55 Two-Spirit ______56 U ______56 V ______56 W ______56 X ______56 Y ______56 Z ______56 Ze / Zir/Hir ______56 ______57 KEY MOMENTS IN LGBTQ+ RIGHTS HISTORY ______58 1785: Jeremy Bentham Essay ______58 1895: Oscar Wilde Trial ______58 ______58 1910: Emma Goldman Speaks Out ______58 ______58 1919: Magnus Hirschfeld Research ______58 1937: The Pink Triangle ______59 1950: Harry Hay and the Mattachine Society ______59 ______59 1952: Alan Turing Trial ______59 1952: Christine Jorgensen ______59 1960s: Leo Abse ______60 1969: Stonewall Inn Nightclub Raid ______60 1975: Gay Marriage In Colorado ______60 1977: Harvey Milk Elected ______60 1980: Democrats Take A Stand ______61 1987: National March On Washington ______61 ______61 1987: Act Up Founded ______61 ______61 1997: Ellen Degeneres ______61 6

OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION 1998: Matthew Shepard ______62 ______62 2000: Vermont Legalizes Civil Unions ______62 2004: Massachusetts Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage ______62 2010: Don't Ask, Don't Tell ______62 ______62 2014: Laverne Cox Nominated For Emmy ______62 2015: Ireland Approves Gay Marriage By Popular Vote ______63 2015: Supreme Court Ruling ______63 LGBT Timeline: ______64 LGBT Timeline: Continued ______64 LGBT Timeline: Continued ______66 LGBT Timeline: Continued ______67

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GENDER & SEXUALITY RESOURCE BOOK

Gender & Sexuality Why You Should Read This

OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION Gender and Sexuality Resource Book

Acknowledgement This resource guide is based on Gender Diversity resource book, written by A. Smerbeck, Ph.D. Dr. A. Smerbeck is an assistant professor of psychology at the State University of New York.

“Right now, there is someone who is everything you ever wanted in a student. They’re talented, passionate, and completely willing to make photocopies for you. They have so much potential to make a brilliant contribution to the field…They’re the kind of kid you’d give your non-dominant arm to mentor. And they’re transgender. And you’ll never get to work with them if you don’t treat them right. In fact, due to harassment and discrimination, they may drop out before you ever meet them. That kid is out there, and if we don’t get our act together, we could be missing out on the mind of a generation.” - A. Smerbeck, Ph.D., author of Gender Diversity

This quote applies to all students who embody marginalized gender identities or sexualities, and that’s why you should read this.

OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION The Purpose

The resource book Gender Diversity offered a gender specific diversity guide for higher education faculty. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Augusta University sought to expand this guide with permission from Dr. Smerbeck to include information on sexuality as well as gender, and to include students in the intended audience in addition to faculty. The following is the result of our efforts.

In this resource directory of Gender &Sexuality you will find wonderful and worthwhile defenses of LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and more) rights. Of course, LGBTQ+ rights can be found in other publications and on platforms outside of this booklet, so the purpose of this resource is not to replicate those efforts. Instead, this resource directory is intended to provide a brief education about gender and sexuality, and to serve as a toolbox for those who want to learn small ways to make higher education a safer, more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ students.

We invite readers to use this resource as a gateway through which greater levels of knowledge about gender and sexuality can be reached. This booklet is for everyone, and although some sections cater to professors or professionals, we welcome anyone involved in higher education to read and enjoy this; faculty, staff, and students included.

OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION Gender

Introduction to Gender

Understanding gender and gender diversity can seem very complex. There are a lot of new terms that change very rapidly, and the way terms are used might change from person to person or group to group. It’s reasonable to expect that parts of this booklet will be out dated within a few years. Still, there’s one basic principle that makes everything about gender easier to understand: Your gender identity is your true self. What does this mean? First and foremost, it means that our gender identities align with our true sense of self, and are not determined by genitals, chromosomes, appearances, hobbies, etc. Someone with a female gender identity is a woman regardless of her genitals and chromosomes. She is not dressing up as a woman, pretending to be a woman, tricking people into thinking she is a woman, or acting like a woman. She is a woman. If she is transgender, she may describe herself in a number of ways: a transwoman, an affirmed woman, or simply a woman. She is not required to disclose her identity as transgender. If she is exclusively attracted to men she will describe herself as straight; if she is exclusively attracted to women she may describe herself as a lesbian; if she experiences attraction to a number of genders or to no one she will describe herself accordingly. If she doesn’t own a television, she will bring it up at every single party she goes to. Fine, we get it.

Gender Expression Gender expression is how a person presents themselves through the use of gender cues. A person’s gender expression might be connected to their clothes, hair, speech, mannerisms, etc.

Gender Expression does not have to align with gender identity or sex. What does this mean? It’s simple! A woman can express herself in a masculine way without compromising her identity as a woman. Maybe she has a very short haircut that is typically labeled masculine, or perhaps she prefers suits to dresses in formal situations. Both of these things might be labeled masculine, but they do not mean the woman in question is any “less” a woman. Having a masculine gender expression does not mean that you must identify as a man, it just means that you present yourself in a way that most people consider masculine.

Similarly, a man can express himself in a feminine way without compromising his identity as a man. Maybe he has long hair, maybe he wears nail polish or makeup, or maybe he wears a skirt or dress instead of pants; all of these things would constitute a feminine gender expression, but clothing and makeup do not determine gender identity. Having a feminine gender expression does not mean that you must identify as a woman, it just means that you present yourself in a way that most people consider feminine.

We are not required by nature to dress a certain way or look a certain way according to our gender identity. We humans impose gender on everyday items like clothing and toys because one of the ways we organize society is through gender. Pants are not naturally masculine and dresses are not naturally feminine, we impose gender on

OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION these things (which are, after all, simply pieces of cloth sewn together to cover our bodies). Expression does not equal identity. Assumptions that the way a person expresses themselves must match their gender identity perfectly cause all sorts of problems for LGBTQ+ people. Trans and LGBQ women are sometimes required to perform femininity in order to be taken seriously as women. In fact, historically, transgender women were required to adopt ultra-feminine gender expressions for arbitrary time periods prior to being given referrals for gender affirmation surgery. This meant that if a transgender woman showed up to a doctor’s appointment in jeans and a t-shirt rather than a dress and heels, she might be denied gender affirmation surgery for longer. This is a perfect example of how assumptions about gender expression

A Developmental Perspective on Gender

When a baby is born, people look between the legs and assign a natal gender. If they see a penis and scrotum, they call the baby a boy. If they see a vagina and labia, they call the baby a girl. These somatic structures are part of what we typically call a person’s sex. Other elements of sex include the production of sperm or eggs, hormone levels, chromosomes, body shape, and secondary sex characteristics. It’s common to assume that sex is natural binary, but in fact, 1 in every 100 births produces a child whose body does not fit into the standard male-female sex binary. Further, about 1% of infants are born intersex, with a mix of male and female sex features. In some cases, this is immediately apparent, while in other cases it may be detected later in life or never detected.

By two years of age, many children begin to label themselves as boys or girls. This is the beginning of gender identity. Most children will proclaim a gender identity that is consistent with the gender assigned to them at birth, but a small number of children at this age will strongly and persistently state a different gender identity. These are in some cases young transgender children. With enormous cultural pressure presuming that gender identity will match the gender assigned at birth, many transgender people do not realize their own gender identity at such a young age, but as parents and professionals become more open to the idea, more are being identified at younger ages. Transgender people come to realize, understand, and accept their gender identity despite the cultural pressure for them to embody the gender they were assigned at birth. For some trans people this can be a long process that happens over time, after their toddler years and into adolescence or even adulthood.

During the preschool years, children develop a strong sense of which behaviors their culture considers masculine and which their culture considers feminine. This is gender expression. Most children choose gender expressions that fit with their cultural schema for their gender identity. However, gender variant behaviors are common in all children, transgender or not. While this should certainly be accepted, it’s not the same as being transgender. Being transgender is about your gender identity, your sense of who you are, not just about your gender expression, what you choose to do and how you choose to look.

As children grow into adolescence, many find they experience sexual and romantic attraction to some genders and not others. The gender or set of genders one finds attractive is sexual identity (also referred to as sexuality or sexual orientation). Sexual identities are described in relation to a person’s gender identity. For example, a person assigned male at birth who is exclusively attracted to women would be considered straight, or heterosexual. Likewise, a person who was assigned female at birth but has a male gender identity who is exclusively attracted to women would also be straight. Transgender people can be straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, or any other identity or orientation, just like everyone else.

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Pronoun Primer

The English language has many ways to indicate gender, the most ubiquitous being names and pronouns. Some trans people want to continue uing the same names and pronouns they were assigned at birth. Some want to use a new name and pronouns that fit their affirmed gender. For some transgender people, the pronouns she/her/hers or he/him/his are a good fit. Other, especially those who identify with a non-binary gender, don’t feel comfortable with either masculine or feminine pronouns. English doesn’t have an official gender neutral third person pronoun for people, so we need to get creative!

The most common choice for gender neutral pronouns is singular they/them/theirs, because most people already use it in casual conversation. An example of this might be a conversation centered on a person whose gender is unknown to the speakers: “I ordered a pizza an hour ago and the driver still hasn’t arrived, I hope they’re okay.”

When using they/them/their to refer to a single individual, plural verbs are still used. For example, “I’m having lunch with Jackie. They are meeting me at noon.” Some grammar sticklers get hung up on the singular they, but grammar sicklers will eventually have no one to talk to, so it won’t matter.

Other non-traditional pronouns such as ze/zir/zirs, per/per/pers, and ze/hir/hirs exist. If you would like to practice using these pronouns in sentences, or learn more about how to properly use these pronouns, the Safe Zone website has interactive pronoun games designed to help with this. Some pronoun don’ts: Don’t use “it” as a pronoun. The term “it” is considered offensive and dehumanizing, never use it when talking about trans or intersex people. Don’t use “s/he” or “he or she” when referencing a trans person. These terms are sometimes used in formal writing when the antecedent’s gender is unknown, but are not appropriate to use for trans people since trans people’s genders are not unknown! Don’t avoid using a person's name or pronouns. If a person asks to be addressed a certain way, that is how we should address them. Gender neutral terms can come in handy when addressing a large group of people, or when you don’t know which pronouns a person uses. Here is a list of terms to get you started: Attendee Investigator Performer Spouse Author Learner Presenter Staff Chair Parent Relative Student Classmate Partner Researcher Subject (in research or monarchy) Coworker Pardner Resident Teacher (for ranchers of all genders) Faculty Respondent Scientist Voter Individual Participant Sibling Writer Instructor

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Sexuality

Introduction to Sexuality Understanding sexuality can be difficult at times. Terms related to sexuality change over time just like terms related to gender do. The understanding and usage of terms can change with context, as well. For example, terms that might seem benign one year could be harmful the next, and terms that were slurs in the past might be reclaimed by some individuals in the future. Knowing what terms to use and how to use them can be confusing for some. Still, there’s one basic principle that makes everything about sexuality easier to understand:

Your sexual identity is defined by who you are attracted to.

What does this mean? First and foremost, it means that our sexuality is aligned with who we are romantically and/or sexually attracted to. We cannot choose who we are attracted to, attraction just happens (or doesn’t happen).

A woman who is exclusively attracted to other women might call herself a lesbian, or queer, or gay. A man who is exclusively attracted to other men might call himself gay or queer. A woman who is attracted to more than one gender might call herself bisexual, or pansexual, or queer. A man who is exclusively attracted to women might call himself straight. These are only a few examples of how individuals might identify.

“Sexuality” might be used interchangeably with “sexual orientation” or “sexual identity.”

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The Power of Words It’s important to remember that while our experiences, identities, and attractions are not made up, our words are. All words are constructed, deconstructed, and reconstructed by people, including terms used to describe identities, genders, and sexualities. Does this mean that if our words are made up, they don’t describe real, important things about us? Of course not. Language is a tool that we humans create and improve over time, and our words are vastly important when it comes to defining ourselves and our experiences. One simple note about language that we’d like readers to remember is: We cannot choose who we are attracted to or how we experience attraction, but we can choose what language we use to describe ourselves with. A woman who feels attraction for other women can choose from a number of different terms with which to identify (gay, lesbian, queer, same gender attracted, bisexual, pansexual). The term she picks will depend on a number of things. Perhaps she is not exclusively attracted to women, this will narrow down her list by taking “lesbian” off the table, since a lesbian is a woman who is exclusively attracted to women. Perhaps she knows a lot of people in the bisexual community, identifies with the history of the bisexual movement, and feels a sense of belonging there, this might convince her to identify as bisexual. Perhaps she is not comfortable with the term queer due to its past use as a homophobic slur, this means she probably won’t identify as queer.

The point is, she will choose an identity that best fits her experiences, attractions, and her sense of self. This does not mean that her experiences or attractions are a choice, or that her identity is made up or make believe, it simply means that we may choose how we use language to define ourselves.

Law and Policy

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Federal Law Title IX is a federal law which prohibits sex discrimination in education. Schools that violate Title IX risk losing federal funding. Individuals whose rights are violated under Title IX can file suit.

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Education issued a joint Dear Collegue Letter (DCL) to educational institutions around the county which interpreted Title IX protections as extending to transgender students. Based on years of legal precedent, the DCL provides schools with guidance as to what is expected of them under the law. Title IX requires that educational institutions:

o Refrain from discriminating against transgender students. For example, a professor could not deny a transgender student a letter of recommendation for which they were otherwise qualified. o Protect transgender students from faculty, staff, and peer harassment. o Refer to students using the names, pronouns, etc. they prefer. o Allow students access to programs and facilities appropriate to their gender identity. o Respect the privacy of a student’s gender identity. The federal government considers transgender status to be personally identifiable information under FERPA, the educational privacy law. Outing a student by revealing their gender assigned at birth or transgender status is a violation of FERPA as well as Title IX. Some erroneously believe that Title IX only protects trans students who have changed the sex on their birth certificate. The DCL states that schools must not impose burdensome documentation requirements.

Augusta University

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Augusta University nondiscrimination/Anti-Harassment policy: Augusta University is strongly committed to ensuring that its learning and working environments are free of harassment and discrimination because of a person’s race, color, creed, national origin, gender, age, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or disability. Augusta University shall respond in a swift and effective manner, with a goal of eliminating such conduct. Prohibited discrimination includes any action taken by a AU employee to deny benefits, promotion, leave, overtime, or other privileges of employment to an employee because of the employee’s race, color, creed, national origin, gender, age, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or disability. Prohibited discrimination also includes harassment by a co-worker, student, vendor, supervisor, or other employee of GRU on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, gender, age, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or disability that is sufficiently severe and pervasive so as to constitute a hostile work environment. No individual at AU may take actions to retaliate against any person who brings, or is thought to have brought, a complaint alleging discrimination, or who has cooperated with or participated in any way with an investigation conducted pursuant to this policy. Encouraging others to retaliate is also a violation of this policy. Any individual who does engage in unlawful retaliation shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including, discharge from employment.

Augusta University Values: Collegiality – reflected in collaboration, partnership, sense of community, and teamwork. Compassion – reflected in caring, empathy, and social responsibility. Excellence – reflected in distinction, effectiveness, efficiency, enthusiasm, passion, and quality. Inclusivity – reflected in diversity, equality, fairness, impartiality, and respect. Integrity – reflected in accountability, ethical behavior, honesty, and reliability. Leadership – reflected in courage, honor, professionalism, transparency, and vision.

Obeying Augusta University policy and aspiring to Augusta University’s core values is impossible without respecting and affirming the gender and sexuality of all students, faculty, and staff.

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Augusta University Healthy Respect Pledge:

A Commitment to a Culture of Civility At Augusta University and Augusta University Health System, we embrace civility as the commitment to engage with others in the most positive, respectful manner, even when there is genuine disagreement.

Preamble Civil and respectful treatment is a fundamental requirement in our academic, social, and patient care environments. We maintain that the highest level of professional behavior is an uncompromising standard of excellence that should be modeled in all our interactions.

Our Pledge We support and promote a culture of respect and dignity toward all members of our community. It is our obligation to confront disrespectful conduct and report the incident to the appropriate authority in a timely manner. We agree to promote awareness and education of civility and to foster “healthy respect” throughout Augusta University and Augusta University Health System.

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Facts and Figures

Realities of Harassment and Discrimination LGBTQ+ people face very high rates of harassment and discrimination. Prejudice against transgender people specifically is called transphobia (or cissexism). Prejudice against LGB and other same-gender attracted individuals is generally called homophobia. There are more specific terms that describe the prejudice targeted towards certain identities, like biphobia, which describes prejudice aimed at bisexual people, or acephobia, prejudice against asexual people. Like other forms of prejudice, transphobia and homophobia can be manifested overtly as in verbal abuse, physical violence, or sexual assault, or in covert acts that are more difficult to detect and punish, such as housing or employment discrimination. According to a national survey of more than 10,000 LGBTQ+ identified youth, Growing up LGBT in America,:  LGBT youth are twice as likely as their peers to say they have been physically assaulted, kicked, or shoved at.  26% of LGBT youth say their biggest problems are not feeling accepted by their family, trouble at school/bullying, and a fear to be out/open.  92% of LGBT youth say they hear negative messages about being LGBT. The top sources are school, the Internet and their peers.  68% of LGBT youth say they hear NEGATIVE messages about being LGBT from elected leaders. Transphobia often manifests as a refusal to recognize a person’s gender identity. This can include using the wrong name of pronouns for a person, creating laws or policies that deny them access to gender-appropriate facilities, or humiliating a trans person by forcing them to reveal their natal gender (often while the perpetrator claims to be “unmasking a fraud”). Nationally, laws protecting transgender people from discrimination and harassment are limited, thought New York State has relatively strong regulations protecting trans rights. The effects of transphobia are severe, as found by the National Transgender Discrimination Survey of 2011:

 Trans people are four times more likely than cis people to live in extreme poverty.  90% of employed trans people have been harassed or discriminated against at work.  1 in 5 trans people has been homeless.  1 in 5 trans people has been refused medical care on the basis of gender identity.  57% of trans people have been rejected by some or all members of their family.

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 About one-third of trans students report they have been harassed by teachers or staff.

Classroom Tips

Avoiding Common Classroom Mistakes

Some classroom mistakes are unavoidable, others are easy to fix! Here are some common classroom mistakes that can harm LGBTQ+ students, and easy fixes. Some of these items may seem obvious to you, which is a good thing! They aren’t obvious to everyone, though, and were included in hopes that they will become less and less frequent after the circulation of this booklet.

1. Invite all of your students to let you know what names and pronouns they use. Many professors already do this to accommodate students who choose to go by a middle name or a nickname. This can be done very easily by including a statement like “Some students have a name or pronouns that differ from the information on record with the registrar. If you have a name or pronoun set that is different than what is on record, please email me this information and I would be happy to accommodate you.” Sometimes trans students will withhold their correct name and pronouns for a semester or two if they are undergoing transition or are waiting to come out until a later date. Even if a trans student chooses to not take you up on your offer, it is important that they know you are ready and willing to accommodate them should they need it. Additionally, asking all students to send you their correct names and pronouns if they feel comfortable doing so is an important step in normalizing the idea that gender cannot be assumed, so make sure your offer is, in fact, directed at all students.

2. Don’t misgender your students. Misgendering is when you refer to a person using a gendered word (like mister, waitress, or she) that does not match their gender identity. Misgendering someone intentionally is a form of harassment. Professors and professionals are all cognitively able adults; we’re all capable of monitoring our own behavior, so mistakes should be few and far between. Even accidental misgendering is disrespectful and not conducive to a positive learning environment. If you’re worried you’re going to accidentally misgender a student in a closed or private conversation, mentally rehearse what you’re going to say before you say it. If you are worried about misgendering a student during a spontaneous public interaction or in class, commit to memorizing their pronouns on your own time just like you would the names of students. Memorizing a person’s correct pronouns likely won’t take a huge amount of effort.

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3. Don’t expect an LGBTQ+ student to speak for the entire community. Even if a student is open about their gender and/or sexuality, you shouldn’t call on them for a transgender perspective” or a “bi perspective.” Additionally, you should not assume that all of their statements are necessarily based on their experiences with gender or sexuality. Do not ask a transgender student to give you feedback on how you covered an issue of sex or gender in class (though you should listen if they volunteer comments!). Similarly, do not ask a gay or bi or asexual (or any student of a marginalized sexual identity) to give you feedback on your presentation of sexuality. One LGBTQ+ person does not make a representative e sample of the LGBTQ+ community; asking them to play that role is unfair and unproductive.

4. Don’t assume all of your students are straight and/or cisgender. Refrain from making comments that assume all students in your classroom are straight or cisgender. It is impossible to know a person’s gender or sexuality simply by looking at them, and you will have LGBTQ+ students in your classes whether you know it or not.

5. Protect the privacy of your LGBTQ+ students. In the United States, LGBTQ+ people suffer harassment, discrimination, and violent crimes at much higher rates than their straight and cisgender peers. Outing LGBTQ+ students puts them at risk. If a student discloses to you that they are transgender or are not straight, you should treat this information as confidential. For example, you may want to ask a transgender student whether they would like you to use their new name and pronouns publicly, or only in private meetings.

6. Don’t expect LGBTQ+ students to teach you. First, students aren't here to instruct their professors. An LGBTQ+ student is at college to get an education, not to be an education. Second, even well-intentioned questions from professors can make a student feel unwelcome, criticized, or tokenized. Finally, there is an enormous power difference between professors and students. It’s unreasonable to expect students to freely educate their professors. There are many, many resources available that can help you learn about the experiences of LGBTQ+ people and problems they may face. Use those instead.

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Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

FAQ Q: Aren’t trans people just confused about their gender identity? A: No, trans people are not confused about their gender identity. They know their gender identity—other people just have a hard time accepting it. There could be a period of time in which a trans person is discovering their gender identity, playing with their gender expression, or trying out new pronouns, but none of this amounts to that person knowing less about their gender identity than an outside observer.

Q: I’ve known this person for a long time and their old name and pronouns are a habit! What should I do? A: If you’ve known a person for a long time as one gender, you may make a few mistakes while trying to gender them correctly. This is okay. Correct yourself quickly in the moment (“She—sorry, he”) and move on. Do not belabor the point. Sometimes, a brief private apology to the person is worthwhile as well. Commit to getting it right in the future. Remember, we change how we address people we’ve known a long time in other situations as well. Sometimes when people get married their last name changes, and we transition into addressing them with their new last name.

Q: A student came into my office and told me what they want to be called. What do I say now? A: Sometimes when someone discloses their identity to you, you might have follow up questions. Some of these questions are good and others are bad. A good question to ask might be “Is this what you’d like me to call you publicly/during class?” or “Is there anything else I should know?”

Bad questions to ask include any and all questions yielding information that is unnecessary to you as an instructor.

Q: I want to know what this particular gender identity term means! Or I want to know what the difference is between this sexual identity and another! Or I want to know what transitioning is like for trans people! Is it alright to ask my students who are on the LGBTQ+ spectrum? A: Wanting to learn is wonderful, but don’t ask your student these kinds of questions! Some of those are very personal, inappropriate questions to ask students; others are questions that could easily be answered elsewhere. What you need to know about your students is their name and pronouns, what you need to know about the LGBTQ+ community doesn’t have to come from your students. The urge to ask questions of people who are right in front of you is sometimes hard to resist, but students should not feel obligated to educate their teachers, especially not about marginalized identities they might occupy.

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Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (Continued) Q: What if I need more information to advise a student as part of my official job tasks, not just personal curiosity? A: Tell the student what information you need and why. For example, “You said you were interested in studying abroad. I’m wondering if you have any medical needs related to your gender status, because unfortunately, some study abroad locations don’t provide ongoing gender services.” That allows the student to make an informed decision about how much to disclose. Q: Are LGBTQ+ people unnatural? A: No. The natural word includes sex changing fish, female hyenas with phalluses, and an enormous range of gender expression. In terms of the human race, diversity in biological sex and the human body is a natural fact of life. The natural world exists beyond male-female and hetero-homo binaries that humans have constructed. Q: What if my student is doing something dangerous? A: It’s wonderful that you care about your student’s health. However, different people have different ideas of risk. Binders are a good example of those. Binder are garments worn by some trans people that minimize the appearance of breast tissue. By their nature, they have to be tight to be effective, which can cause soreness, bruising, and mild shortness of breath. A cisgender person might look at that decision and say that someone wearing a binder is risking their physical health. A transman might say that not wearing a binder is a significant risk to his mental health, or that not wearing a binder is risking his ability to pass meaning he might be in physical danger. Regardless, college students are adults, and they’re allowed to make risky decisions if they want. Q: I want to know what this particular gender identity term means! Or I want to know what the difference is between this sexual identity and another! Or I want to know what transitioning is like for trans people! Is it alright to ask my students who are on the LGBTQ+ spectrum? A: Wanting to learn is wonderful, but don’t ask your student these kinds of questions! Some of those are very personal, inappropriate questions to ask students; others are questions that could easily be answered elsewhere. What you need to know about your students is their name and pronouns, what you need to know about the LGBTQ+ community doesn’t have to come from your students. The urge to ask questions of people who are right in front of you is sometimes hard to resist, but students should not feel obligated to educate their teachers, especially not about marginalized identities they might occupy. Q: What if I need more information to advise a student as part of my official job tasks, not just personal curiosity? A: Tell the student what information you need and why. For example, “You said you were interested in studying abroad. I’m wondering if you have any medical needs related to your gender status, because unfortunately, some study abroad locations don’t provide ongoing gender services.” That allows the student to make an informed decision about how much to disclose.

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Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (Continued) Q: What should I do if I know someone is gay or trans and they haven’t told me yet? A: You should never assume a persons gender or sexuality, because there is no way to accurately guess these things. Most assumptions are rooted in stereotypes that simply aren’t representative of the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, you should never force someone to come out to you, or to disclose part of their identity that they aren’t ready to disclose. If you think someone close to you is gay, trans, or a secret Real Housewives fan, and you want to be someone they confide in, simply be there and be supportive without coercing or forcing them to come out to you. One day they may be ready to tell you intimate details of their life, and maybe they won’t. It’s their choice whether or not they share their identity with you, and respecting that is key. Q: What if I don’t want to share a bathroom or locker room with a trans person because I don’t want a trans person to see my genitals? A: I should hope that by this point in your life, you don’t gawk at other people’s junk in the bathroom or locker room, regardless of gender. Why would trans people be any different? Remember that lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people do into bathrooms and locker rooms all the time without causing problems. Q: What if I don’t want to see a trans person genitals? A: Don’t look. (P.S. This is good advice for cisgender people’s genitals too). Q: What if I’m worried that cisgender men will pretend to be transgender so they can assault women? A: It’s good that you’re concerned with protecting women from sexual assault. Hopefully, you are concerned with the safety of all people, and not cherry-picking one unlikely fear. You should know that forcing transgender people to use the wrong facilities puts them at the risk of assault. That said, it’s already illegal to harass people in a bathroom or locker room. If anyone went into a locker room and behaved inappropriately, they could be handled under existing rules and laws regardless of their gender identity. Q: What if I just don’t want to be in a private space with a trans person? A: People are often uncomfortable sharing a space with others they see as different. There was a time in American history, not long ago, when whites refused to use the same restrooms as black Americans. Still, you do have the right to use single stall restrooms or other private locations. You do not have the right to demand that someone else sacrifice their rights to public facilities for your comfort.

Language Guide

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Not Preferred – Preferred – Explanation Not Preferred Preferred Explanation {normal, real, legal, biological} Cisgender/ Trans people are real, and the man/woman cis man/ cis woman brain is a real, biological organ. Legal status is complicated and rarely relevant. {chosen, new} gender Affirmed gender Gender identity is not a choice. People’s gender identities rarely change, so what you’re seeing is not their “new” gender identity, it’s the one they’ve had all along. Transsexual Transgender Transsexual used to refer to transgender people who’ve had gender affirming surgeries. Now, this term is falling out of use and is sometimes offensive. For the most part, it’s neither useful or desirable to discuss someone’s genitals. Sex-reassignment surgery, sex Gender-affirming surgeries The preferred term emphasizes change that a person is bringing their body in line with the identity they have always had. The use of the plural is also important. There are multiple surgeries and operations associated with gender affirmation.

But remember for the most part, it’s neither useful nor desirable to discuss someone’s genitals. Hermaphrodite Intersex, disorder of sex Hermaphrodite is still used in development (DSD) biology to refer to non-human animals, btu should never be used to refer to people. Intersex is usually the preferred term, but DSD can be appropriate it a medical context.

Language Guide Continued

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Not Preferred Preferred Explanation Transgendered Transgender Transgendered implies that gender identity was an event that happened to a person, not an ongoing identity. Gender identity disorder (GID) Gender dysphoria GID is no longer a diagnosis because it inappropriately (old psychiatric diagnosis that (new diagnosis that refers to pathologized all trans people. referred to any trans person) the distress some trans people Gender dysphoria is a diagnosis experience due to being that only refers to a subset or assigned a gender at birth that transgender people: those who does not align with their are suffering distress because gender identity) their gender identity doesn’t match their assigned gender. It’s main purpose is to allow these people to access gender affirming medical therapies. When she was a boy When she was eight years old Most trans people want their (referring to a transwoman) When he was eight years old chosen name and pronouns to be When he was a girl applied to their whole lives, (referring to a transman) Before her transition even before the time they Before his transition transitioned. Not totally trans (describe the specific Different trans experiences do (referring to a non-binary person) characteristics of the not fall on an ordinal scale any individual) more than racial or religious Different levels of transgender identities. They cannot be (referring to a person who did not ranked or ordered. If necessary seek gender affirming surgeries) for the conversation, identities and experiences should just be described without attempt to describe one as greater or more real than another. She used to be a man. She was designated male at Gender identity describes your She changed from male to female. birth. true self, so it’s inaccurate to say that a person “changed” from They were born female. male to female or vice versa. It’s They were assigned female at often not necessary to talk about birth. a person’s pre-transition state, but if it is you can mention the gender others perceived them to be at birth without suggesting their gender identity changed.

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Language Guide Continued Not Preferred Preferred Explanation Biological men are at an increased People who have XY First, your brain is part of your risk for colorblindness. chromosomes are at an biology, so your gender identity increased risk for has biological representation. colorblindness. Second, not everyone who has XY chromosomes has masculine primary and secondary sex characteristics. The preferred statement is simply more accurate. Women spend more than $60 per People who menstruate Not all women menstruate, and year on sanitary napkins and other spend more than $60 a year not all people who menstruate feminine hygiene products. on sanitary napkins and are women. Again, the preferred menstrual products. statement is simply more accurate.

Choose one: M or F Choose gender: Decide whether you want to Male know about sex or gender. If you Female want to know about sex, be Transgender/non-binary specific about exactly what attributes you care about (e.g. facial hair, genitals, breast growth, etc.) because these attributes do not always line up with the expected sex. If you want to know about gender identity, be sure to include options for trans and non-binary gender identities. Gay men demonstrated against a Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and You get to choose which police raid at Stonewall Inn. transgender people information to emphasize and demonstrated against a which to omit, but you should be police raid at Stonewall Inn. careful to avoid erasing Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a transgender people from the transwoman, was a key curriculum. leader of the protests.

Students from either gender are Students of all genders are If you want to get the best welcome to apply. welcome to apply. applicants, you should make sure everyone knows they’re welcome.

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Language Guide Continued Not Preferred Preferred Explanation In this study, there were 60 subjects, There were 60 subjects, 30- Don’t presume that all people 50% of whom were women. self-identified women and 30 are cisgender. self-identified men. The paper doesn’t say, so we don’t know if there were any trans or intersex participants.

10 Ways to Be An Ally & A Friend

1. Be a listener. 2. Be open-minded. 3. Be willing to talk. 4. Be inclusive and invite LGBT friends to hang out with your friends and family. 5. Don't assume that all your friends and co-workers are straight. Someone close to you could be looking for support in their coming-out process. Not making assumptions will give them the space they need. 6. Anti-LGBT comments and jokes are harmful. Let your friends, family and co-workers know that you find them offensive. 7. Confront your own prejudices and bias, even if it is uncomfortable to do so. 8. Defend your LGBT friends against discrimination. 9. Believe that all people, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation, should be treated with dignity and respect. 10. If you see LGBT people being misrepresented in the media, contact us at glaad.org.

-www.glaad.org/resources

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How To Be An LGBT Ally by Hayley Miller, October 7, 2015

For a lot of people, learning that someone they know and care about is LGBT can open a range of emotions, from confused to concerned, from awkward to honored. It may be hard to know how to react, leaving you with questions about what to say, how to talk about being LGBT and wanting to know what you can do to be supportive.

An “ally” is a term used to describe someone who is supportive of LGBT people. It encompasses non-LGBT allies as well as those within the LGBT community who support each other, e.g. a lesbian who is an ally to the bisexual community.

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Ahead of National Coming Out Day, here are five ways you can be an LGBT ally:

1. Be honest: It’s important to be honest with yourself — acknowledging your feelings and coming to terms with them. And it means being honest with the person who came out in your life — acknowledging you aren't an expert, asking them what's important to them, seeking resources to better understand the realities of being an LGBT individual so that you can be truly informed and supportive.

2. Send gentle signals: Showing and sharing your acceptance and support can be very easy. Many people often don’t realize that LGBT people keep watch for signs from their friends, family and acquaintances about whether it is safe to be open with them. It can be as subtle as having an LGBT-themed book on your coffee table.

3. Have courage: Just as it takes courage for LGBT people to be open and honest about who they are, it also takes courage to support your LGBT friends or loved ones. We live in a society where prejudice still exists and where discrimination is still far too common. Recognizing these facts and giving your support to that person will take your relationship to a higher level and is a small step toward a better and more accepting world.

4. Be reassuring: Explain to a someone who came out to you that their sexual orientation or gender identity has not changed how you feel about them, but it might take a little while for you to digest what they have told you. You still care for and respect them as much as you ever have or more. And that you want to do right by them and that you welcome them telling you if anything you say or do is upsetting.

5. Let your support inform your decisions: It’s about working to develop a true understanding of what it means to be LGBT in America and trying to do your part to help break down the walls of prejudice and discrimination that still exist — for example, by supporting businesses with appropriate anti-discrimination policies, saying you don’t appreciate “humor” that demeans LGBT people when it happens or learning about where political candidates stand on issues that have an impact on the LGBT community.

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What is “Coming Out?” “Coming out” or “coming out of the closet” is a process of accepting and being open about being lesbian, gay, or bisexual. The first step is coming out to ourselves. This happens as we recognize our sexual orientation and accept it. We may also tell family, friends and people in our community — sometimes right away, and sometimes later on. We might decide to be open with some people in our lives, but not with others. Coming out is extremely personal, and different for everyone. But it can feel better to be open and honest about your sexual orientation than it does to hide it. Coming out isn’t a one-time thing. Because many people assume that everyone they meet is straight, coming out can be a constant process. Every time LGB people meet someone new, they have to decide if and when to come out. But choosing to come out doesn't mean you have to be out everywhere, all the time — part of the coming out process is choosing how, where, and when it's best for you to be out. And there's no right or wrong way to do it. The coming-out process can be freeing, empowering, and bring us closer to those we love, but it can also be stressful or even risky. If you’re wondering whether or not to come out, there's a lot to think about. Consider all the risks and benefits. If coming out means that you risk losing emotional and financial support from your family, for example, you may want to wait until you can find a way to support yourself. You should also think about whether coming out could put you in any physical danger. But you're in charge of your coming out experience. It's up to you to choose how, where, when and with whom to be open about your sexual orientation. It may feel safer to start by being open with other people who are also LGB. This could be online, in community centers, at an LGB club or group, or with a few close friends. – See more at: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sexual-orientation- gender/sexual-orientation If Someone Comes Out To You. www.TheSafeZoneProject.com

Don’t 1. Say “I always knew” or downplay the significance of their sharing with you. 2. Go tell everyone, bragging about your “new trans friend.” 3. Forget that they are still the person you knew, befriended, or loved before. 4. Ask probing questions, or cross personal barriers you wouldn’t have crossed earlier. 5. Assume you know why they came out to you.

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Do 1. Know this is a sign of huge trust! (Yay!) 2. Check-in on how confidential this is (Do other people know? Is this a secret?) 3. Remember that their gender/sexuality is just one dimension (of many) of who they are. 4. Show interest and curiosity about this part of them that they are sharing with you. 5. Ask them how you can best support them

What is Homophobia?

Homophobia is fear or hatred of people who are or are thought to be lesbian or gay.

When LGB people have fear or hatred of themselves or other gay people because of their own attractions, it’s called internalized homophobia.

Biphobia is fear or hatred of bisexuality, or the denial that bisexuality exists at all. Both straight and gay people can be biphobic, and people can be biphobic without being homophobic.

Homophobia and biphobia come from fear and ignorance. Some people's families, friends, cultures and religious authorities promote negative feelings and stereotypes about homosexuality and bisexuality. And some people are fearful or ignorant because they don’t know anyone who is openly LGB.

Homophobia and biphobia hurt all of us. They can prevent LGB people from feeling safe and from living full lives. They can lead to job, housing, and health care discrimination and sometimes verbal abuse and even physical violence. Homophobia and biphobia can cause feelings of depression, anxiety, and isolation. They can also lead to suicide. LGB youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers. Homophobia can also hurt straight people. It can keep straight men from forming close friendships with other men, for example, for fear of being perceived as gay. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sexual-orientation-gender/sexual-orientation What Can I Do To Help Stop Homophobia? No matter what your sexual orientation, there are things you can do to fight homophobia and biphobia:  Treat everyone — regardless of sexual orientation — with respect and dignity.  Don't assume everyone you meet is straight. For example, if you meet a man who wears a wedding ring, don't automatically refer to his partner as his wife.  Don’t claim that bisexuality doesn’t exist, is "a phase," or that bisexuals are really homosexuals who are afraid to come out. Don’t label bisexual people as confused, indiscriminate, promiscuous, or selfish.  Think about the words you use that could be considered hurtful. Even if you don't mean for it to be hurtful or you "wouldn't say it to someone you know is gay," words like "fag" or "dyke" are offensive. Even if you think there are no LGB people around, you can't assume you know everyone's sexual orientation, and homophobic slurs offend many straight people also. And putting someone down by using a word like "fag" implies that LGB people have less value or aren't as important as straight people.

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 Call people out who are making assumptions based on stereotypes, or saying or doing homophobic things, as long as you feel safe doing so. - https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sexual-orientation- gender/sexual-orientation

What’s Transphobia? Transphobia is the fear, hatred, disbelief, or mistrust of people who are transgender, thought to be transgender, or whose gender expression doesn't conform to traditional gender roles. Transphobia can prevent transgender and gender nonconforming people from living full lives free from harm.

Transphobia can take many different forms, including  negative attitudes and beliefs  aversion to and prejudice against transgender people  irrational fear and misunderstanding  disbelief or discounting preferred pronouns or gender identity  derogatory language and name-calling bullying, abuse, and even violence

Transphobia can create both subtle and overt forms of discrimination. For example, people who are transgender (or even just thought to be transgender) may be denied jobs, housing, or health care, just because they're transgender.

People may hold transphobic beliefs if they were taught them by other people, including parents and families who encourage negative ideas about trans people and who hold strict beliefs about traditional gender roles.

Some people are transphobic because they have misinformation or have no information at all about trans identities. They may not be aware of transgender people or trans issues or personally know anyone who is trans. The stress of transphobia on trans people can be very harmful and can cause:  depression  fear  isolation  feelings of hopelessness suicide See More At- https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sexual-orientation-gender/trans-identities

What can I do to Help Stop Transphobia? No one has the right to discriminate against another person, or to hurt them emotionally or physically. There are things you can do to help stop transphobia:

 Don't ever use slurs against transgender people.  Don't ask personal questions about a transgender person's genitals, surgery, or sex life.  Avoid giving trans people compliments that are actually insults. Some examples include: "You look just like a real girl!" or "I never would have guessed you were transgender!"  Don't believe stereotypes about trans people or make assumptions about them.  Be a vocal supporter of the transgender community, regardless of your own gender identity.

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 Let the transgender people in your life know that you're a friend and ally.  Educate yourself on transgender issues.  Respect someone's decisions about when and where to come out.  If you don't know a person's preferred pronouns or name, ask them.  Use gender neutral language, such as "they" and "them" or "folks" and "people" instead of "he/she" or "girls and boys."  Respect trans people's chosen pronouns and names and use them.  Remember that being transgender is just one part of a person's life.  If you feel safe doing so, speak up when other people are being transphobic, like making transphobic jokes, using slurs, or bullying or harassing someone because of their gender identity.

When addressing transphobia in others:  Ask questions and stay calm. Often, people don't know what language is insensitive. Avoid insulting them and instead tell them why you find their words offensive.  Decide if it's safe to address the issue. Some things to consider: Will you be confronting a stranger in public? Or a friend or family member in private? Do you want to speak up now or wait until you're alone with the person? Would it be safest for you stay quiet and walk away? It's okay if you mess up a person's pronouns or name by accident sometimes, especially if their transition is new to you. If this happens, apologize and make an effort to use the correct pronoun in the future.

When it comes to language, the following things are bullying:  Intentionally calling them the name they no longer use  Intentionally using the wrong pronouns –

See more at: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sexual-orientation-gender/trans-identities#sthash.EAFjj17J.dpuf

Ways to Show Your Support to the LGBT Community There are many different ways that you can show your support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in your life. There is no one “right” way to do so.

Here are some easy ways you might demonstrate your support that fit naturally into most people’s lives:  Create social settings that bring your straight, cisgender and LGBT friends and family together.  Talk openly and honestly with your LGBT loved ones about their lives.  Find opportunities to talk openly with your straight, cis friends about your LGBT friends and family and the issues they face.  Make sure that you include the same-sex partner of your LGBT loved one in events and activities just as you would any other friend’s spouse or significant other.  Don’t allow anti-LGBT jokes or statements expressed in your presence to go unchallenged.  Integrate inclusive language into your regular conversations, professional interactions and/or spiritual life.  Get involved with pro-LGBT groups and campaigns and contact your elected officials about equality.  Join pro-LGBT causes or groups on Facebook and through other social networking opportunities.  Attend pride celebrations and other LGBT community events.

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 Demonstrate your open support by displaying an HRC or PFLAG bumper sticker, mug or poster, or similar items from other local or national organizations.  Visit the PFLAG website at www.pflag.org for information on local meetings and PFLAG public education programs across the country.  Find out if your employer has an equal rights policy. If not, encourage the organization’s leadership to adopt one  Also, participate in any employee resource groups that support LGBT employees.  Research the views of candidates for public office and factor their stand on LGBT equality into your decision on who to vote for.  Sign up online at www.hrc.org and at www.pflag.org to get updates on new developments

- Human Rights Campaign, Supporter Guide, April 2014 Myths & Facts About LGBT People Most of the negative stereotypes of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are based on erroneous or inadequate information. The myths:

It’s a “choice.” Sexual orientation and gender identity are not choices, any more than having brown eyes or any more than people choose to be straight. The choice is in deciding whether or not to live your life openly and honestly with yourself and others.

It’s a “lifestyle.” It is sometimes said that LGBT people have a ‘lifestyle.’ The problem with that word is that it trivializes LGBT people and the struggles they face. Being LGBT is no more a lifestyle than being who you are - its a life, just like anyone else’s. LGBT people can “change” or be “cured.” No scientifically valid evidence exists that shows that people can change their sexual orientation, although some people do repress it. The most reputable medical and psychotherapeutic groups say you should not try to change your sexual orientation, as the process can actually be damaging.

Same-sex relationships don’t last. Same-sex couples can, and do, form lasting, lifelong, committed relationships — just like any other couples. And just like any other couples, sometimes same-sex relationships end. The primary difference is that same-sex couples have fewer opportunities to marry or enter into the same legal and societal relationships than straight couples, therefore denying them the access to equal rights, protections and responsibilities that come with marriage, civil unions, etc.

LGBT people can’t have families. According to the 2010 Census, more than 2 million children — probably many more — are being raised by same-sex couples nationwide. The American Psychological Association and other major medical and scientific researchers have stated that children of lesbian, gay and transgender parents are as mentally healthy as children raised by straight parents. Guiding Questions/Case Scenarios www.TheSafeZoneProject.com

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Here are some examples of situations you might be confronted with where you can serve as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community.

Case Scenario 1

You are becoming friends with this guy named Alex. One day you’re hanging out and Alex gets oddly quiet and finally after you ask them repeatedly if anything is bothering them they come out and tell you they’re bi. Alex says he’s totally comfortable with it, has known for a long time, but doesn’t really feel like they know how to tell other people at school even though they really want to. What do you do?

Answers 1

• Reassure Alex that you are glad that he felt he could tell you, that you can be trusted with the information, and that you’re really happy to be helpful in any way that you can • Ask some questions. Why doesn’t he feel like he can tell other people at school? What indicators have his friends given that they would not be cool (or would be cool) with having queer/gay/bisexual friends? Does he feel like it’s specifically to his bisexuality or is it because he is not straight? Careful to ask and not to grill... you’re only looking to get information that will help you help him! • Offer a few different scenarios to Alex. • Game plan out what a conversation between he and one of his close friends may look like. Throw out the idea that he could just tell one of his friends and ask them to tell others. Or he could tell someone he trusts the most and ask them what they thought their mutual friends reactions could be. • Test the waters by bringing up gay/bi/queer subjects, celebrities, issues around Alex’s friends and see what their reactions are. • Let Alex know that you believe even if his friends are initially surprised this doesn’t mean they won’t come around. That if he is comfortable with himself and his sexuality that he can likely explain and help his friends become comfortable with it too.

Case Scenario 2

You leave your dorm room one morning and you notice something on your friend José’s whiteboard on his door just across the hall. José is one of your friends, is gay, and has been out to you since you’ve known him. The whiteboard says, “Hey fag – give me a call later today, we have to pregame that party. Jess.” You know Jess is one of José’s best friends, but you don’t know her that well. What do you do?

Answers 2

• It is important to make clear that in this scenario, while José maybe totally cool with Jess calling him that word, that other people seeing it on his white board may feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or otherwise negatively because they don’t understand the relationship between him and Jess. The word can be quite triggering and therefore because it is in a public space it is an issue.

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• Erase the word fag from the whiteboard message. • Go to José and explain to him that you saw what Jess wrote on his white board, explain why you erased the word, and let him know how it make you feel. You could explain that you understand he might be ok with her using that word but that it makes you uncomfortable (and/or you feel it makes others uncomfortable) and so you erased it to ensure that others wouldn’t see it. Ask José to talk to Jess and to let her know not to write that word or similar language on his whiteboard in a public space. • Go to Jess and let her know that you saw her message and that you wanted to let her know that the word that she used made you uncomfortable. It is important to assume that Jess had no negative intentions, and to speak to her with that in mind. Let her know that you totally understand that her and José likely are cool with that word, but that other people may find it uncomfortable and that you’d appreciate if she just not use it in writing because some people may get the wrong idea. • Go to your RA. Ask them to speak to Jess or José about it. Let them know it isn’t an incident of hate speech (as far as you know) that you simply think it is not an appropriate thing to have written on a whiteboard in the hallway even between friends and that you’d appreciate the RA talking to one of them just to sort out the situation.

Case Scenario 3

You and a group of friends are waiting in line for food at a dining hall. Some people behind you in line are chatting about the new Xbox that just came out and you overhear one of them say, “Dude you’re still playing on a PS2, that’s so gay, seriously.” What do you do?

Answers 3

• Turn around and ask the individual who made the comment and inquire, “Hey, I don’t know if you know this but some people feel really uncomfortable and unsafe when they hear that kind of language being used. I do and it’d be really cool if you could not say that phrase again,” or something to that effect. • It’s important to realize than most people aren’t confronted on their use of homophobic language and that they may not have homophobic intentions behind it. It is helpful to remind people that the words they use matter and still have the effect of being perceived /received as homophobic even if they didn’t mean/intend to. It is also very possible that the individual will avoid using such language again simply because they do not enjoy being confronted by random people in a lunch line. So either way it’s a win win.

Case Scenario 4

One of your teachers (who you know quite well) is talking about sexuality or gender in class. When the discussion goes quiet they turn to you and ask if you have anything additional to add. What do you do?

Answers 4

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• Speak with the teacher after class or during office hours (or send um an email!) to explain to them that you did not enjoy being singled out in front of the class in that way, and while you are really involved with GSA stuff on campus, that you’d still appreciate not being looked to as the representative or “expert” in the room. • Explain that to be singled out publicly can be very uncomfortable, particularly when you may not be out to all of your classmates, and also point out that often stigmatized or marginalized students are put into the role of "educator" or "expert" by others and that it needs to be a choice whether to fill that role or not.

Case Scenario 5

One of your new friends, Dee, who you don’t know that well, meets you and a group of mutual friends for lunch. They start talking about their roommate and how weird and annoying they always are. Dee goes on to say, “She also told me that she’s bisexual, I don’t actually really have a problem with bisexuals but I don’t know how comfortable I am, like, changing in the same room as her, I mean that’s weird right? Like I don’t know it just kind of weirds me out.” What do you do?

Answers 5

• You could inquire (now with the group or later alone with Dee) what it is that weirds her out about her roommate. Is it that her roommate is bisexual and she doesn’t totally get that? Would she feel equally weirded out if her roommate was gay? Does she not quite understand why her roommate felt the need to tell her? • If she responds that she would feel equally weirded out if roommate was gay, chat with Dee about the fact that she doesn’t need to feel weirded out that her roommate is bi. Point out that her roommate wanted her to know because she didn’t want her to find out through some other source and then wonder why the roommate didn’t tell Dee directly. By telling her directly the roommate is being very cognizant of Dee’s feelings and it demonstrates that she is going to be respectful of that space in the future. Also point out that the roommate is likely very worried that Dee will feel uncomfortable in the space - so Dee doesn’t need to worry about

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RESOURCES AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY, LOCAL & STATE RESOURCES Augusta University Counseling Center...... 706-737-1471  We aspire to model and create an environment that allows for trust, safety, open communication, vulnerability, fairness, compassion, curiosity, respect and dignity of all persons, and a commitment to lifelong learning. We strive to be self-aware and reflective, and to engage in continual assessment of ourselves, our center, and the services we provide. We also endeavor to be a model for social justice by providing fair and compassionate treatment of all individuals. Augusta University Equality Clinic...... www.equalityclinicaugusta.com  The Equality Clinic was founded on the premise that no one should be denied healthcare on account of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. It serves as an LGBTQ- friendly space for those in the CSRA community who are under- or un-insured and fall below 200% of the federal poverty level. We are creating a clinic where patients can receive the care they deserve in a welcoming, open environment. Wherever you fall on the complex spectrums of gender expression, gender identity, and sexual attraction, you can come to Equality Clinic and discuss your specific health needs without fear of judgment or discrimination.

Augusta University Lambda Alliance...... www.facebook.com/augustalambdaalliance  We are the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual and straight alliance student organization at Augusta University. Anyone, including members of the general community, is welcome to join. No one’s sexual or gender identity is ever assumed. PFLAG Aiken ...... 803-341-3675  Made up of parents, families, friends, and straight allies united with people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning their sexual orientation (LGBTQ), PFLAG is committed to advancing equality and societal acceptance of LGBT people through its threefold mission of support, education and advocacy. Georgia Health Initiative...... 404-688-2524  The Health Initiative provides education, advocacy, support and improved access to care to Georgia’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community. Founded in 1996, we are the largest non-profit organization in the southeast devoted solely to the health and wellness of LGBTQ people.

Georgia Equality ...... 404-523-3070  Works to advance fairness, safety and opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities and our allies throughout the state. Georgia Equality, Inc. works year-round to pass pro-equality legislation and elect fair-minded elected officials. Through the Equality Foundation of Georgia, we conduct voter registration and educational activities, provide information to decision makers, and work to organize and mobilize LGBT residents and allies to advance equality in urban, suburban, and rural communities across the state.

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Ryan White Program ...... 877-464-4772  The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program provides a comprehensive system of care that includes primary medical care and essential support services for people living with HIV who are uninsured or underinsured.

Augusta University Office of Diversity & Inclusion ...... 706-721-6890  The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) centralizes Augusta University initiatives to create a diverse and inclusive environment.

Augusta University Office of Employment Equity ...... 706-721-7285  The mission of the Office is to ensure that Augusta University is committed to and practices equal opportunity and affirmative action in all aspects of employment. Augusta University is committed to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons without regards to: age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin race religion, sexual orientation, or status as a Vietnam War Era Veteran. The OEE is further responsible for the investigation of any protected category violations.

MCG Office of Student & Multicultural Affairs ...... 706-721-1420  We are dedicated to helping students reach full potential personally, professionally and academically by building community and offering a strong infrastructure of innovative student services, programs and resources designed to support you in becoming culturally competent, empathetic, patient-centered and ethical physicians.

College of Nursing Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board....www.augusta.edu/nursing/diversity  Augusta University College of Nursing is committed to providing an excellent learning experience and welcoming environment for all of its students and employees. Led by the College Administration and diversity officer, the College is on an exciting journey to create a climate of success for all CON community members.

Augusta University Safe Zone Committee & Website ...... 706-721-6890  The mission of the Augusta University Safe Zone (Augusta University SZ) program is to create a safer, more inclusive environment for LGBTQIQA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, questioning and asexual) individuals in our community.

Augusta University Women's and Gender Studies Program...... 706-729-2204  The program grew out of the women's movement of the 1970s, a period when many students and faculty began to address the sexism they saw in the academy by volunteering to develop courses, forums, and conferences on issues pertinent to women. It is a thriving academic discipline, which puts women at the center of study—their cultures, contributions, and perspectives. Women's and gender studies is defined by what is taught, how questions are asked and explored, and often, how the subject is taught. A common misconception is that women's and gender studies is just for women—it is not. It is a program of study for all genders—it is about women, but not solely for women.

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Greenblatt Library LGBT Health Care Resources...... www.augusta.edu/library/Greenblatt/lgbt  Information about local LGBTQ+ health care services., Consumer Information, LGBT Healthcare equality, Major organizations for LGBT Health, Information for Patients and Providers

NATIONAL RESOURCES

Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals.....www.lgbtcampus.org  We aim to critically transform higher education environments so that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students, faculty, administrators, staff, and alumni/ae have equity in every respect.

Campus PRIDE...... wwww.campuspride.org  The campus pride index is a vital tool for assisting campuses in learning ways to improve their LGBTQ campus life and ultimately shape the educational experience to be more inclusive, welcoming and respectful of LGBTQ and ally people.

Gay and Lesbian Medical Association ...... 202-600-8037  GLMA's mission is to ensure equality in healthcare for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals and healthcare providers.

Human Rights Campaign (& Health Equality Index)...... www.hrc.org  The Human Rights Campaign represents a force of more than 1.5 million members and supporters nationwide. As the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer civil rights organization, HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.

Lambda Legal ...... 404-897-1880  Lambda Legal, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

Gay, Lesbian and Straight Educators Network ...... 212-727-0135  At GLSEN, we want every student, in every school, to be valued and treated with respect, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We believe that all students deserve a safe and affirming school environment where they can learn and grow.

GLBT National Help Center ...... 1-888-843-4564  The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) National Help Center, founded in 1996, is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization that provides vital peer-support, community connections and resource information to people with questions regarding sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Utilizing a diverse group of GLBT volunteers, we operate three national hotlines, the GLBT National Hotline, the GLBT National Youth Talkline, and the SAGE LGBT Elder Hotline as well as private, volunteer one-to-one online chat, that helps both youth and adults

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with coming-out issues, safer-sex information, school bullying, family concerns, relationship problems and a lot more. We also maintain the largest collection of resources for the GLBT community in the United States, with 15,000 local resources for cities and towns across the country.

Trevor Project ...... 1-866-488-7386  Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) ...... www.glaad.org  GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love.

Equality Forum ...... 215-732-3378  Equality Forum coordinates LGBT History Month, produces documentary films, undertakes high-impact initiatives and presents the largest annual national and international LGBT civil rights summit.

National Center for Transgender Equality ...... 202-642-4542  The National Center for Transgender Equality is the nation’s leading social justice advocacy organization winning life-saving change for transgender people.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force...... www.thetaskforce.org  The National LGBTQ Task Force advances full freedom, justice and equality for LGBTQ people. We’re building a future where everyone is free to be themselves in every aspect of their lives. Today, despite all the progress we’ve made to end discrimination, millions of LGBTQ people face barriers in every aspect of their lives: in housing, employment, healthcare, retirement, and basic human rights. These barriers must go. That’s why the Task Force is training and mobilizing millions of activists across our nation to deliver a world where you can be you.

National Black Justice Coalition...... www.nbjc.org  The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. NBJC’s mission is to end racism and homophobia. As America’s leading national Black LGBT civil rights organization focused on federal public policy, NBJC has accepted the charge to lead Black families in strengthening the bonds and bridging the gaps between the movements for racial justice and LGBT equality.

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The Transgender Law and Policy Institute...... www.transgenderlaw.org  We are a non-profit organization dedicated to engaging in effective advocacy for transgender people in our society. The TLPI brings experts and advocates together to work on law and policy initiatives designed to advance transgender equality.

ELECTRONIC RESOURCES:

Interactive Pronoun Application: ...... www.minus18.org.au/pronouns

Refuge Restroom Gender Neutral Bathroom Locator:...... www.refugerestrooms.org

WEB RESOURCES ON GENDER AND SEXUALITY:

Asexual Visibility and Education Network...... www.asexuality.org  “The world’s largest online asexual community as well as a large archive of resources on asexuality.”

Intersex Society of North America ...... www.isna.org  “The Intersex Society of North America (ISNA) is devoted to systemic change to end shame, secrecy, and unwanted genital surgeries for people born with an anatomy that someone decided is not standard for male or female.”

TransWhat?...... www.transwhat.org  “A Guide Towards [Trans] Allyship”

We Are The Youth...... www.wearetheyouth.org  “Sharing stories of LGBTQ youth in the United States.”

Soul Force...... wwww.soulforce.org  Family that travels and does speaking events, have a ton of materials on their site, and do an “equality ride” (super cool), all from a Christian perspective

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LGBTQ+ VOCABULARY GUIDE

Vocabulary is essential to understanding and exploring LGBTQ+ issues and identities. Often times folks use specific identity labels to find community and a sense of connection with others who share similar experiences and identities.

Understanding parts of speech—whether a word is a noun, verb or adjective—is an essential part of understanding vocabulary. This is because a number of words (ex. queer, gay, and trans (gender) should only be used as adjectives and never as nouns. Adjectives modify the person whereas nouns may feel they reduce that person down to that identity. Adjectives, therefore, are always a bit safer to opt for.

This definition of terms is ever-updating and changing, as is the cultural use of these terms. Please note that we aim to make our definitions as useful and current as possible, but this vocabulary is always changing and this glossary won’t remain relevant forever. For certain terms the way they are received is just as important as what they mean. Any word might be harmful if used in a negative or derogatory way and it is always important to consider what someone is telling you if they feel hurt or offended by a term.

Advocate – 1 noun : a person who actively works to end intolerance, educate others, and support social equity for a marginalized group. 2 verb to actively support/plea in favor of a particular cause, the action of working to end intolerance, educate others, etc.

Agender – adj. : a person with no (or very little) connection to the traditional system of gender, no personal alignment with the concepts of either man or woman, and/or someone who sees themselves as existing without gender. Sometimes called gender neutrois, gender neutral, or genderless.

Ally /“al-lie”/ – noun : a (typically straight and/or cisgender) person who supports and respects members of the LGBTQ+ community. We consider people to be active allies who take action in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

Androgyny/ous /“an-jrah-jun-ee”; “an-jrah-jun-uss”/ – adj. : 1 a gender expression that has elements of both masculinity and femininity; 2 occasionally used in place of “intersex” to describe a person with both female and male anatomy.

Aromantic – adj. : experiencing little or no romantic attraction to others and/or has a lack of interest in romantic relationships/behavior. Aromanticism exists on a continuum from people who experience no romantic attraction or have any desire for romantic activities, to those who experience low levels, or romantic attraction only under specific conditions, and many of these different places on the continuum have their own identity labels (see demiromantic). Sometimes abbreviated to “aro” (pronounced like “arrow”).

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Asexual – adj. : experiencing little or no sexual attraction to others and/or a lack of interest in sexual relationships/behavior. Asexuality exists on a continuum from people who experience no sexual attraction or have any desire for sex, to those who experience low levels, or sexual attraction only under specific conditions, and many of these different places on the continuum have their own identity labels (see demisexual). Sometimes abbreviated to “ace.”

Asexuality is different from celibacy in that it is a sexual orientation whereas celibacy is an abstaining from a certain action.

Not all asexual people are aromantic.

Bigender – adj. : a person who fluctuates between two traditional sets of gender-based behavior and identities, identifying with both genders (and sometimes a third gender).

Bicurious – adj. : a curiosity about having attraction to people of the same gender/sex (similar to questioning).

Biological Sex – noun : a medical term used to refer to the chromosomal, hormonal and anatomical characteristics that are used to classify an individual as female or male or intersex. Often referred to as simply “sex,” “physical sex,” “anatomical sex,” or specifically as “sex assigned at birth.”

Often seen as a binary but as there are many combinations of chromosomes, hormones, and primary/secondary sex characteristics, it’s more accurate to view this as a spectrum (which is more inclusive of intersex people as well as trans-identified people). – Is commonly conflated with gender.

Biphobia – noun : a range of negative attitudes (e.g., fear, anger, intolerance, invisibility, resentment, erasure, or discomfort) that one may have or express towards bisexual individuals. Biphobia can come from and be seen within the LGBTQ+ community as well as straight society. Biphobic – adj. : a word used to describe an individual who harbors some elements of this range of negative attitudes towards bisexual people.

Example of bi-invisibility and bi-erasure would be the assumption that any man in a relationship with a woman is straight or anyone dating someone of the same gender means you’re gay. In neither case do we assume anyone could be bisexual.

Really important to recognize that many of our “stereotypes” of bisexual people – they’re overly sexual, greedy, it’s just a phase – have harmful and stigmatizing effects (and that gay, straight, and many other queer individuals harbor these beliefs too).

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Bisexual – adj. : 1 a person who is emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to males/men and females/women. 2 a person who is emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to people of their gender and another gender. This attraction does not have to be equally split or indicate a level of interest that is the same across the genders or sexes an individual may be attracted to.

Can simply be shortened to “bi.”

Many people who recognize the limitations of a binary understanding of gender may still use the word bisexual as their sexual orientation label, this is often because many people are familiar with the term bisexual, or because many people who identify as bisexual do not consider the term to assume a binary understanding of gender.

Butch – noun & adj. a person who identifies themselves as masculine, whether it be physically, mentally or emotionally. ‘Butch’ is sometimes used as a derogatory term for lesbians, but is also be claimed as an affirmative identity label.

Cisgender /“siss-jendur”/ – adj. : a person whose gender identity and biological sex assigned at birth align (e.g., man and assigned male at birth). A simple way to think about it is if a person is not transgender, they are cisgender. The word cisgender can also be shortened to “cis.”

“Cis” is a latin prefix that means “on the same side [as]” or “on this side [of].”

Cissexism – noun : behavior that grants preferential treatment to cisgender people, reinforces the idea that being cisgender is somehow better or more “right” than being transgender, and/or makes other genders invisible.

Cisnormativity – noun : the assumption, in individuals or in institutions, that everyone is cisgender, and that cisgender identities are superior to trans identities or people. Leads to invisibility of non- cisgender identities.

Closeted – adj. : an individual who is not open to themselves or others about their (queer) sexuality or gender identity. This may be by choice and/or for other reasons such as fear for one’s safety, peer or family rejection or disapproval and/or loss of housing, job, etc. Also known as being “in the closet.” When someone chooses to break this silence they “come out” of the closet. (See coming out)

Coming Out – 1 the process by which one accepts and/or comes to identify one’s own sexuality or gender identity (to “come out” to oneself). 2 The process by which one shares one’s sexuality or gender identity with others (to “come out” to friends, etc.).

This is a continual, life-long process. Everyday, all the time, one has to evaluate and re-evaluate who they are comfortable coming out to, if it is safe, and what the consequences might be.

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Constellation – noun : a way to describe the arrangement or structure of a polyamorous relationship.

Cross-Dresser – noun : someone who wears clothes of another gender/sex.

Demiromantic – adj. : little or no capacity to experience romantic attraction until a strong sexual or emotional connection is formed with another individual, often within a sexual relationship.

Demisexual – adj. : little or no capacity to experience sexual attraction until a strong romantic or emotional connection is formed with another individual, often within a romantic relationship.

Down Low – adj. : typically referring to men who identify as straight but who secretly have sex with men. Down low (or DL) originated in, and is most commonly used by communities of color. This term is primarily used by individuals within the LGBTQ+ community.

Drag King – noun : someone who performs masculinity theatrically.

Drag Queen – noun : someone who performs femininity theatrically.

Dyke – noun : referring to a masculine presenting lesbian. While often used derogatorily, it can is adopted affirmatively by many lesbians (both more masculine and more feminine presenting lesbians not necessarily masculine ones) as a positive self-identity term.

Emotional Attraction – noun : a capacity that evokes the want to engage in romantic intimate behavior (e.g., sharing, confiding, trusting, interdepending), experienced in varying degrees (from little- to-none, to intense). Often conflated with sexual attraction, romantic attraction, and/or spiritual attraction.

Fag(got) – noun : derogatory term referring to a gay person, or someone perceived as queer. Occasionally used as an self-identifying affirming term by some gay men, at times in the shortened form ‘fag’.

Feminine-Of-Center; Masculine-Of-Center – adj. : a word that indicates a range of terms of gender identity and gender presentation for folks who present, understand themselves, and/or relate to others in a more feminine/masculine way, but don’t necessarily identify as women/men. Feminine-of- center individuals may also identify as femme, submissive, transfeminine, etc.; masculine-of-center individuals may also often identify as butch, stud, aggressive, boi, transmasculine, etc.

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Feminine-Presenting; Masculine-Presenting – adj. : a way to describe someone who expresses gender in a more feminine/masculine way. Often confused with feminine-of-center/masculine-of-center, which generally include a focus on identity as well as expression.

Femme – (noun & adj) someone who identifies themselves as feminine, whether it be physically, mentally or emotionally. Often used to refer to a feminine-presenting queer woman.

Fluid(ity) – adj. : generally with another term attached, like gender-fluid or fluid-sexuality, fluid(ity) describes an identity that may change or shift over time between or within the mix of the options available (e.g., man and woman, bi and straight).

FTM / F2M; MTF / M2F – abbreviation : female-to-male transgender or transsexual person; male-to- female transgender or transsexual person.

Gay – adj. : : : 1 individuals who are primarily emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to members of the same sex and/or gender. More commonly used when referring to men who are attracted to other men, but can be applied to women as well. 2 An umbrella term used to refer to the queer community as a whole, or as an individual identity label for anyone who does not identify as heterosexual.

“Gay” is a word that’s had many different meanings throughout time. In the 12th century is meant “happy,” in the 17th century it was more commonly used to mean “immoral” (describing a loose and pleasure-seeking person), and by the 19th it meant a female prostitute (and a “gay man” was a guy who had sex with female prostitutes a lot). It wasn’t until the 20th century that it started to mean what it means today. Interesting, right?

Gender Binary – noun : the idea that there are only two genders and that every person is one of those two.

Gender Expression – noun : the external display of one’s gender, through a combination of dress, demeanor, social behavior, and other factors, generally made sense of on scales of masculinity and femininity. Also referred to as “gender presentation.”

Gender Fluid– adj. : : gender fluid is a gender identity best described as a dynamic mix of boy and girl. A person who is gender fluid may always feel like a mix of the two traditional genders, but may feel more man some days, and more woman other days.

Gender Identity – noun : the internal perception of an one’s gender, and how they label themselves, based on how much they align or don’t align with what they understand their options for gender to be. Common identity labels include man, woman, genderqueer, trans, and more. Often confused with biological sex, or sex assigned at birth.

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Gender Neutrois – adj. : see agender.

Gender Non-Conforming – adj. : 1 a gender expression descriptor that indicates a non-traditional gender presentation (masculine woman or feminine man) 2 a gender identity label that indicates a person who identifies outside of the gender binary. Often abbreviated as “GNC.”

Gender Normative / Gender Straight – adj. : someone whose gender presentation, whether by nature or by choice, aligns with society’s gender-based expectations.

Genderqueer – adj. : a gender identity label often used by people who do not identify with the binary of man/woman; or as an umbrella term for many gender non-conforming or non-binary identities (e.g., agender, bigender, genderfluid).

may combine aspects man and woman and other identities (bigender, pangender);

not having a gender or identifying with a gender (genderless, agender);

moving between genders (genderfluid);

third gender or other-gendered; includes those who do not place a name to their gender having an overlap of, or blurred lines between, gender identity and sexual and romantic orientation.

Gender Variant – adj. : someone who either by nature or by choice does not conform to gender-based expectations of society (e.g. transgender, transsexual, intersex, gender-queer, cross-dresser, etc).

Heteronormativity – noun : the assumption, in individuals or in institutions, that everyone is heterosexual (e.g. asking a woman if she has a boyfriend) and that heterosexuality is superior to all other sexualities. Leads to invisibility and stigmatizing of other sexualities. Heteronormativity also leads us to assume that only masculine men and feminine women are straight.

Hermaphrodite – noun : an outdated medical term previously used to refer to someone who was born with some combination of typically-male and typically-female sex characteristics. It’s considered stigmatizing and inaccurate. See intersex.

Heteronormativity – noun : the assumption, in individuals and/or in institutions, that everyone is heterosexual and that heterosexuality is superior to all other sexualities. Leads to invisibility and stigmatizing of other sexualities: when learning a woman is married, asking her what her husband’s name is. Heteronormativity also leads us to assume that only masculine men and feminine women are straight.

Heterosexism – noun : behavior that grants preferential treatment to heterosexual people, reinforces the idea that heterosexuality is somehow better or more “right” than queerness, and/or makes other

OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION sexualities invisible.

Heterosexual – adj. : a person primarily emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to members of the opposite sex. Also known as straight.

Homophobia – noun : an umbrella term for a range of negative attitudes (e.g., fear, anger, intolerance, resentment, erasure, or discomfort) that one may have towards members of LGBTQ+ community. The term can also connote a fear, disgust, or dislike of being perceived as LGBTQ+. Homophobic – adj. : a word used to describe an individual who harbors some elements of this range of negative attitudes towards gay people.

The term can be extended to bisexual and transgender people as well; however, the terms biphobia and transphobia are used to emphasize the specific biases against individuals of bisexual and transgender communities.

May be experienced inwardly by someone who identifies as queer (internalized homophobia).

Homosexual – adj. & noun : a person primarily emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to members of the same sex/gender. This [medical] term is considered stigmatizing (particularly as a noun) due to its history as a category of mental illness, and is discouraged for common use (use gay or lesbian instead).

Until 1973 “Homosexuality” was classified as a mental disorder in the DSM Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This is just one of the reasons that there are such heavy negative and clinical connotations with this term.

There was a study done prior to DADT (Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell) being revoked about peoples’ feelings towards open queer service members. When asked, “How do you feel about open gay and lesbian service members,” there was about 65% support (at the time).” When the question was changed to, “How do you feel about open homosexual service members,” the same demographic of people being asked – support drops over 20%. There are different connotations to the word homosexual than there are to gay/lesbian individuals for both straight and queer people.

Intersex – adj. : term for a combination of chromosomes, gonads, hormones, internal sex organs, and genitals that differs from the two expected patterns of male or female. Formerly known as hermaphrodite (or hermaphroditic), but these terms are now outdated and derogatory.

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Lesbian – noun & adj. women who have the capacity to be attracted romantically, erotically, and/or emotionally to some other women.

LGBTQ; GSM; DSG – abbreviations : shorthand or umbrella terms for all folks who have a non- normative (or queer) gender or sexuality, there are many different initialisms people prefer. LGBTQ is Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Queer and/or Questioning (sometimes people at a + at the end in an effort to be more inclusive); GSM is Gender and Sexual Minorities; DSG is Diverse Sexualities and Genders. Other options include the initialism GLBT or LGBT and the acronym QUILTBAG (Queer [or Questioning] Undecided Intersex Lesbian Trans Bisexual Asexual [or Allied] and Gay [or Genderqueer]).

There is no “correct” initialism or acronym — what is preferred varies by person, region, and often evolves over time.

The efforts to represent more and more identities led to some folks describe the ever-lengthening initialism as “Alphabet Soup,” which was part of the impetus for GSM and DSG.

Lipstick Lesbian – noun : Usually refers to a lesbian with a feminine gender expression. Can be used in a positive or a derogatory way. Is sometimes also used to refer to a lesbian who is assumed to be (or passes for) straight.

Metrosexual – adj. : a man with a strong aesthetic sense who spends more time, energy, or money on his appearance and grooming than is considered gender normative.

MSM / WSW – abbreviations : men who have sex with men or women who have sex with women, to distinguish sexual behaviors from sexual identities: because a man is straight, it doesn’t mean he’s not having sex with men. Often used in the field of HIV/Aids education, prevention, and treatment.

Mx. / “mix” or “schwa” / – an honorific (e.g. Mr., Ms., Mrs., etc.) that is gender neutral. It is often the option of choice for folks who do not identify within the gender binary: Mx. Smith is a great teacher.

Outing – verb : involuntary or unwanted disclosure of another person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or intersex status.

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Pansexual – adj. : a person who experiences sexual, romantic, physical, and/or spiritual attraction for members of all gender identities/expressions. Often shortened to “pan.”

Passing – adj. & verb : 1 trans people being accepted as, or able to “pass for,” a member of their self- identified gender identity (regardless of sex assigned at birth) without being identified as trans. 2 An LGB/queer individual who is believed to be or perceived as straight.

Passing is a controversial term because it often is focusing on the person who is observing or interacting with the individual who is “passing” and puts the power/authority in observer rather than giving agency to the individual.

While some people are looking to “pass” or perhaps more accurately be accepted for the identity that they feel most aligns with who they are “passing” is not always a positive experience.

Some individuals experience a sense of erasure or a feeling of being invisible to their own community when they are perceived to be part of the dominant group.

PGPs – abbreviation : preferred gender pronouns. Often used during introductions, becoming more common in educational institutions. Many suggest removing the “preferred,” because it indicates flexibility and/or the power for the speaker to decide which pronouns to use for someone else.

Polyamory / Polyamorous – noun, adj. refers to the practice of, desire to, or orientation towards having ethically, honest, and consensual non-monogamous relationships (i.e. relationships that may include multiple partners). This may include open relationships, polyfidelity (which involves more than two people being in romantic and/or sexual relationships which is not open to additional partners), amongst many other set-ups.

Queer – adj. : used as an umbrella term to describe individuals who don’t identify as straight. Also used to describe people who have a non-normative gender identity, or as a political affiliation. Due to its historical use as a derogatory term, it is not embraced or used by all members of the LGBTQ+ community. The term “queer” can often be used interchangeably with LGBTQ+ (e.g., “queer folks” instead of “LGBTQ+ folks”).

If a person tells you they are not comfortable with you referring to them as queer, don’t. Always respect individual’s preferences when it comes to identity labels, particularly contentious ones (or ones with troubled histories) like this.

Use the word queer only if you are comfortable explaining to others what it means, because some people feel uncomfortable with the word, it is best to know/feel comfortable explaining why you choose to use it if someone inquires.

Questioning – verb, adj. an individual who or time when someone is unsure about or exploring their

OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION own sexual orientation or gender identity.

QPOC / QTPOC – abbreviation : initialisms that stand for queer people of color and queer and/or trans people of color.

Romantic Attraction – noun : a capacity that evokes the want to engage in romantic intimate behavior (e.g., dating, relationships, marriage), experienced in varying degrees (from little-to-none, to intense). Often conflated with sexual attraction, emotional attraction, and/or spiritual attraction.

Same Gender Loving (SGL) – adj. : sometimes used by some members of the African-American or Black community to express an non-straight sexual orientation without relying on terms and symbols of European descent.

Sex Assigned At Birth (SAAB) – abbreviation : a phrase used to intentionally recognize a person’s assigned sex (not gender identity). Sometimes called “designated sex at birth” (DSAB) or “sex coercively assigned at birth” (SCAB), or specifically used as “assigned male at birth” (AMAB) or “assigned female at birth” (AFAB): Jenny was assigned male at birth, but identifies as a woman.

Sexual Attraction – noun : a capacity that evokes the want to engage in physical intimate behavior (e.g., kissing, touching, intercourse), experienced in varying degrees (from little-to-none, to intense). Often conflated with romantic attraction, emotional attraction, and/or spiritual attraction.

Sexual Orientation – noun : the type of sexual, romantic, emotional/spiritual attraction one has the capacity to feel for some others, generally labeled based on the gender relationship between the person and the people they are attracted to. Often confused with sexual preference.

Sexual Preference – noun : the types of sexual intercourse, stimulation, and gratification one likes to receive and participate in. Generally when this term is used, it is being mistakenly interchanged with “sexual orientation,” creating an illusion that one has a choice (or “preference”) in who they are attracted to.

Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) – noun : used by some medical professionals to refer to a group of surgical options that alter a person’s biological sex. “Gender affirmation surgery” is considered by many to be a more affirming term. In most cases, one or multiple surgeries are required to achieve legal recognition of gender variance. Some refer to different surgical procedures as “top” surgery and “bottom” surgery to discuss what type of surgery they are having without having to be more explicit.

Spiritual Attraction – noun : a capacity that evokes the want to engage in intimate behavior based on one’s experience with, interpretation of, or belief in the supernatural (e.g., religious teachings, messages from a deity), experienced in varying degrees (from little-to-none, to intense). Often conflated with

OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION sexual attraction, romantic attraction, and/or emotional attraction.

Straight – adj. : a person primarily emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to people who are not their same sex/gender. A more colloquial term for the word heterosexual.

Third Gender – noun : for a person who does not identify with either man or woman, but identifies with another gender. This gender category is used by societies that recognise three or more genders, both contemporary and historic, and is also a conceptual term meaning different things to different people who use it, as a way to move beyond the gender binary.

Top Surgery – noun : this term refers to surgery for the construction of a male-type chest or breast augmentation for a female-type chest.

Trans – adj. : An umbrella term covering a range of identities that transgress socially defined gender norms. Trans with an asterisk is often used in written forms (not spoken) to indicate that you are referring to the larger group nature of the term, and specifically including non-binary identities, as well as transgender men (transmen) and transgender women (trans women).

Transgender – adj. : A person who lives as a member of a gender other than that assigned at birth based on anatomical sex.

A trans person can be straight, gay, bisexual, queer, or any other sexual orientation.

Transition / Transitioning – noun, verb this term is primarily used to refer to the process a trans person undergoes when changing their bodily appearance either to be more congruent with the gender/sex they feel themselves to be and/or to be in harmony with their preferred gender expression.

Transman; Transwoman – noun : An identity label sometimes adopted by female-to-male transgender people or transsexuals to signify that they are men while still affirming their history as assigned female sex at birth. (sometimes referred to as transguy) 2 Identity label sometimes adopted by male-to-female transsexuals or transgender people to signify that they are women while still affirming their history as assigned male sex at birth.

Transphobia – noun : the fear of, discrimination against, or hatred of trans people, the trans community, or gender ambiguity. Transphobia can be seen within the queer community, as well as in general society. Transphobia is often manifested in violent and deadly means. While the exact numbers and percentages aren’t incredibly solid on this, it’s safe to say that trans people are far more likely than their cisgender peers (including LGB people) to be the victims of violent crimes and murder. Transphobic – adj. : a word used to describe an individual who harbors some elements of this range of negative attitudes, thoughts, intents, towards trans people.

Transsexual – noun and adj. a trans person who has already or plans to take steps change their bodies

OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION through gender affirmation surgery, hormone therapy, or any other gender affirming procedures. This term is outdated and many trans people no longer use it to identify themselves, as it focuses on genitalia more than gender.

Two-Spirit – noun : is an umbrella term traditionally used by some Native American people to recognize individuals who possess qualities or fulfill roles of both genders.

Ze / Zir/Hir / “zee”, “zerr” or “zeer”/ – alternate pronouns that are gender neutral and preferred by some trans people. They replace “he” and “she” and “his” and “hers” respectively. Alternatively some people who are not comfortable/do not embrace he/she use the plural pronoun “they/their” as a gender neutral singular pronoun.

This glossary has been adapted from the list found at: http://www.TheSafeZoneProject.com & http://itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/2013/01/a- comprehensive-list-of-lgbtq-term-definitions/#sthash.RybpScBO.EW391AX3.dpbs

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KEY MOMENTS IN LGBTQ+ RIGHTS HISTORY

1785: Jeremy Bentham Essay Jeremy Bentham was an English philosopher, jurist, and economist, and social reformer and was an early advocate for the decriminalization of homosexual acts. In 1785, he wrote an essay advocating for homosexual rights titled “Offences Against One’s Self.” It was finally published in 1931 and remains a defining work in the gay rights movement.

1895: Oscar Wilde Trial Author, playwright, and poet Oscar Wilde was prosecuted in 1895 for “gross indecency” and sentenced to two years hard labor. The trial of a very public Victorian-era person and his candidness during the trial brought the issue of homosexuality to the forefront of society.

1910: Emma Goldman Speaks Out Emma Goldman, a Lithuanian-born anarcho-communist known for her feminist anarchist writings and speeches, first started speaking about homosexual rights in 1910. She was one of the first Americans to stand up for gay rights.

1919: Magnus Hirschfeld Research In 1919, German doctor Magnus Hirschfeld founded the Institute for Sex Research, a pioneering private research institute and counseling office. He was an advocate for sexual minorities. The Nazis destroyed the comprehensive library in 1933.

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1937: The Pink Triangle In 1937, the Nazis first started using the pink triangle to identify gay men in the concentration camps. According to historical sources, between 5,000 and 15,000 homosexuals were deported to Nazi concentration camps during World War II

Here, former Nazi concentration camp “pink triangle” deportee French- Czech Rudolf Brazda, 97 one of the last known survivors of homosexual deportation, spent 32 months at the Buchenwald concentration camp.

1950: Harry Hay and the Mattachine Society Pictured here, Harry Hay (left), one of the founders of the gay rights movement, brushes the cheek of his partner John Burnside on July 19, 2002, at their home in San Francisco. Hay devoted his life to progressive politics and founded the secret network of support groups for gays known as the Mattachine Society in 1950. Hay was also among the first to argue that gays represented a cultural minority, not just individuals.

1952: Alan Turing Trial

Alan Turing, considered one of the leading pioneers of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence -- in addition to being a noted English code breaker in World War II -- was prosecuted in 1952 for performing "homosexual acts." In 2009, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown issued a public apology for the "appalling" way he was treated.

1952: Christine Jorgensen Christine Jorgensen, a former World War II-era GI, became the first widely known person to undergo male-to-female reassignment surgery in 1952.

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1960s: Leo Abse Leo Abse, a British Member of Parliament, was instrumental in lobbying tirelessly for a bill permitting homosexual acts between consenting adults in the 1960s.

1969: Stonewall Inn Nightclub Raid Police raided the gay-friendly Stonewall Inn in New York City on June 28, 1969, setting off a series of protests from the gay community. These public demonstrations are widely considered to be an important first step in the wider LGBT rights movement in the United States.

1975: Gay Marriage In Colorado Boulder County clerk and recorder Clela Rorex stumbled into history when two men asked her for a marriage license, which she granted. She issued a total of six licenses before Attorney General J.D. MacFarlane intervened, despite the questions about his authority over another elected official. Rorex is seem here outside the offices of current County Clerk Hillary Hall, in Boulder, Colo., on Wednesday, July 2, 2014.

1977: Harvey Milk Elected Harvey Milk, shown here in front of his camera shop in 1977, became the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. During his brief tenure, he introduced an ordinance that protected gays and lesbians from being fired from their jobs in San Francisco. He also led a campaign against banning gay teachers. He was assassinated in 1978.

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1979: Gay Freedom Day Parade Pictured here, a homosexual group calling itself The Advocate Experience paraded in front of San Francisco City Hall on June 24, 1979, during the 1979 Gay Freedom Day Parade and Celebration. The parade celebrated the 10th anniversary of the gay rights movement. Police say over a quarter million people attended the afternoon-long celebration.

1980: Democrats Take A Stand At the Democratic National Convention in 1980, the Democrats become the first political party to add gay rights to their platform.

1987: National March On Washington Pictured here, participants of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights carry a banner as they parade in front of the White House, on Oct. 11, 1987 in Washington, D.C. They wanted the President Ronald Reagan to address the AIDS crisis. Police estimated that some 50,000 people participated in the march.

1987: Act Up Founded ACT UP was founded in 1987 by Larry Kramer as a response to the government's slow response to the AIDS crisis in the United States.

1997: Ellen Degeneres Ellen DeGeneres' character came out as a lesbian in the historic 1997 episode titled "The Puppy Episode."

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1998: Matthew Shepard Matthew Shepard was a gay University of Wyoming student who was found beaten and tortured to death in 1998. His murder brought international attention to hate crime legislation at the state and federal levels. In 2009, Barack Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law.

2000: Vermont Legalizes Civil Unions Pictured here, Vermont Justice of the Peace Robert Dixon holds up the state civil union license that allowed him to unite Declan Buckley and Kevin Gato in a civil union in 2000. Vermont became the first state to legalize civil unions between lesbian and gay couples at midnight on July 1, 2000. Same-sex couples from several states rushed to take advantage of the opportunity.

2004: Massachusetts Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage Pictured here, successful lawsuit plaintiffs Julie and Hillary Goodridge shake hands with the registrar after applying for their marriage license with their eight-year-old daughter Annie at City Hall in Boston on May 17, 2004. Massachusetts became the first state in the United States to legally sanction same-sex marriage based on the ruling of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court sought by the Goodridges.

2010: Don't Ask, Don't Tell The Senate voted to do away with the military's 17-year ban on openly gay troops on Dec. 18, 2010, and sent President Barack Obama legislation to overturn the Clinton-era policy known as "don't ask, don't tell."

2014: Laverne Cox Nominated For Emmy In 2014, actress Laverne Cox became the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy Award. She was nominated for her role in the TV show "Orange is the New Black."

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2015: Ireland Approves Gay Marriage By Popular Vote Pictured here, people react after Ireland voted in favor of allowing same- sex marriage in a historic referendum, in Dublin on May 23, 2015. Ireland became the first country in the world to adopt same-sex marriage by popular vote as 62 percent of the electorate backed the referendum.

2015: Supreme Court Ruling The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 26, 2015, that the U.S. Constitution provides same-sex couples the right to marry. With the ruling, gay marriage will become legal in all 50 states.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/key-moments-in-lgbt-rights-history/ss-BBjXpV6

(CNN) Background information about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender milestones in the United States. http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/19/us/lgbt-rights-milestones-fast-facts/

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LGBT Timeline: 1924 - The Society for Human Rights is founded by Henry Gerber in Chicago. It is the first documented gay rights organization. 1950 - The Mattachine Society is formed by activist Harry Hay and is one of the first sustained gay rights groups in the United States. The Society focuses on social acceptance and other support for homosexuals. April 1952 - The American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic manual lists homosexuality as a sociopathic personality disturbance. April 27, 1953 - President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs an executive order that bans homosexuals from working for the federal government, saying they are a security risk. September 1955 - The first known lesbian rights organization in the United States forms in San Francisco. Daughters of Bilitis (DOB). They host private social functions, fearing police raids, threats of violence and discrimination in bars and clubs. July 1961 - Illinois becomes the first state to decriminalize homosexuality by repealing their sodomy laws. September 11, 1961 - The first US televised documentary about homosexuality airs on a local station in California. June 28, 1969 - Police raid the Stonewall Inn in New York City. Protests and demonstrations begin, and it later becomes known as the impetus for the gay civil rights movement in the United States. 1969 - The "Los Angeles Advocate," founded in 1967, is renamed "The Advocate." It is considered the oldest continuing LGBT publication that began as a newsletter published by the activist group Personal Rights in Defense and Education (PRIDE). 1970s - The Pink Triangle becomes a symbol of gay pride after being used during World War II as a symbol of homosexuality, perversion and deviance. June 28, 1970 - Community members in New York City march through the local streets to recognize the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall riots. This event is named Christopher Street Liberation Day, and is now considered the first gay pride parade. 1973 - Lambda Legal becomes the first legal organization established to fight for the equal rights of gays and lesbians. Lambda also becomes their own first client after being denied non-profit status; the New York Supreme Court eventually rules that Lambda Legal can exist as a non-profit. January 1, 1973 - Maryland becomes the first state to statutorily ban same-sex marriage. March 26, 1973 - First meeting of "Parents and Friends of Gays," which goes national as Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) in 1982. December 15, 1973 - By a vote of 5,854 to 3,810, the American Psychiatric Association removes homosexuality from its list of mental disorders in the DSM-II Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 1974 - Kathy Kozachenko becomes the first openly LGBT American elected to any public office when she wins a seat on the Ann Arbor, Michigan City Council. 1974 - Elaine Noble is the first openly gay candidate elected to a state office when she is elected to the Massachusetts State legislature. January 14, 1975 - The first federal gay rights bill is introduced to address discrimination based on sexual orientation. The bill later goes to the Judiciary Committee but is never brought for consideration. March 1975 - Technical Sergeant Leonard P. Matlovich reveals his sexual orientation to his commanding officer and is forcibly discharged from the Air Force six months later. Matlovich is a Vietnam War veteran and was awarded both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. In 1980, the Court of Appeals rules that the dismissal was improper. Matlovich is awarded his back pay and a retroactive promotion. Upon his death, the inscription on his gravestone read: ''When I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one.'' 1976 - After undergoing gender reassignment surgery in 1975, ophthalmologist and professional tennis player Renee Richards is banned from competing in the women's US Open because of a "women-born-women" rule. Richards

LGBT Timeline: Continued

OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION challenges the decision and in 1977, the New York Supreme Court rules in her favor. Richards competes in the 1977 US Open but is defeated in the first round by Virginia Wade. May 24, 1976 - "Tales of the City," by Armistead Maupin appears in the San Francisco Chronicle. It is among the first fiction works to address a disease that initially affected gay men (it would later be identified as AIDS), and feature many minority characters and homosexual relationships. 1977-1981 - Billy Crystal plays one of the first openly gay characters in a recurring role on a prime time television show in "Soap." January 9, 1978 - Harvey Milk is inaugurated as San Francisco city supervisor, and is the first openly gay man to be elected to a political office in California. 1976 - After undergoing gender reassignment surgery in 1975, ophthalmologist and professional tennis player Renee Richards is banned from competing in the women's US Open because of a "women-born-women" rule. Richards challenges the decision and in 1977, the New York Supreme Court rules in her favor. Richards competes in the 1977 US Open but is defeated in the first round by Virginia Wade. May 24, 1976 - "Tales of the City," by Armistead Maupin appears in the San Francisco Chronicle. It is among the first fiction works to address a disease that initially affected gay men (it would later be identified as AIDS), and feature many minority characters and homosexual relationships. 1977-1981 - Billy Crystal plays one of the first openly gay characters in a recurring role on a prime time television show in "Soap." January 9, 1978 - Harvey Milk is inaugurated as San Francisco city supervisor, and is the first openly gay man to be elected to a political office in California. 1978 - Inspired by Harvey Milk to develop a symbol of pride and hope for the LGBT community, Gilbert Baker designs and stitches together the first rainbow flag. November 27, 1978 - Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone are murdered by Dan White, who had recently resigned from his San Francisco board position and wanted Moscone to reappoint him. White later serves just over five years in prison for voluntary manslaughter. October 14, 1979 - The first National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights takes place. It draws an estimated 75,000 to 125,000 individuals marching for LGBT rights. March 2, 1982 - Wisconsin becomes the first state to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation. 1983 - Lambda Legal wins People v. West 12 Tenants Corp., the first HIV/AIDS discrimination lawsuit. December 1, 1988 - The World Health Organization holds the first World AIDS Day in order to raise awareness. November 30, 1993 - President Bill Clinton signs a military policy directive that prohibits openly gay and lesbian Americans from serving in the military, but also prohibits the harassment of "closeted" homosexuals. The policy is known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." 1994 - The movie "Philadelphia," depicting a closeted gay man dying of AIDS, wins two Academy Awards. November 1995 - The Hate Crimes Sentencing Enhancement Act goes into effect as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. The law allows a judge to impose harsher sentences if there is evidence showing that a victim was selected because of the "actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, or sexual orientation of any person."

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LGBT Timeline: Continued September 21, 1996 - President Bill Clinton signs the Defense of Marriage Act, banning federal recognition of same-sex marriage and defining marriage as "a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife." December 3, 1996 - Hawaii's Judge Chang rules that the state does not have a legal right to deprive same-sex couples of the right to marry, making Hawaii the first state to recognize that gay and lesbian couples are entitled to the same privileges as heterosexual married couples. April 1997 - Comedian Ellen DeGeneres comes out as a lesbian on the cover Time magazine, stating, "Yep, I'm Gay." April 30, 1997 - Ellen DeGeneres' character, Ellen Morgan on her self-titled TV series "Ellen," becomes the first leading character to come out on a prime time network television show. April 1, 1998 - Martin Luther King, Jr.'s widow, Coretta Scott King asks the civil rights community to help in the effort to extinguish homophobia. October 6-7, 1998 - Matthew Shepard is tied to a fence, beaten and left to die near Laramie, Wyoming. He is eventually found by a cyclist, who initially mistakes him for a scarecrow. October 9, 1998 - Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney from Laramie, Wyoming, make their first court appearance after being arrested for the attempted murder of Matthew Shepard. Eventually, they each receive two life sentences for killing Shepard. October 12, 1998 - Matthew Shepard dies from his injuries sustained in the beating. April 26, 2000 - Vermont being comes the first state to legalize civil-unions between same-sex couples. June 2003 - The US Supreme Court strikes down the "homosexual conduct" law, which decriminalizes same- sex sexual conduct, with their opinion in Lawrence v. Texas. The decision also reverses Bowers v. Hardwick, a 1986 US Supreme Court ruling that upheld Georgia's sodomy law. May 17, 2004 - The first legal same-sex marriage in the United States occurs in Massachusetts. September 6, 2005 - The California legislature becomes the first to pass a bill allowing marriage between same- sex couples. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoes the bill. December 9, 2005 - "Brokeback Mountain" is released to limited audiences in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The major motion picture, directed by Ang Lee, focuses on a love story between two men that stretches over decades, and survives in a time and place in which the two men's feelings for each other were utterly taboo. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger, and goes on to win several Golden Globe Awards and Academy Awards. October 25, 2006 - The New Jersey Supreme Court rules that state lawmakers must provide the rights and benefits of marriage to gay and lesbian couples. May 15, 2008 - The California Supreme Court rules in re: Marriage Cases that limiting marriage to opposite- sex couples is unconstitutional. November 4, 2008 - Voters approve Proposition 8 in California, which makes same-sex marriage illegal. February 22, 2009 - Actor Sean Penn wins an Oscar for his role as Harvey Milk in the film, "Milk." The film also won for "Best Original Screenplay." August 12, 2009 - Harvey Milk is posthumously awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. October 28, 2009 - President Barack Obama signs the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law. August 4, 2010 - Proposition 8 is found unconstitutional by a federal judge. September 20, 2011 - "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is repealed, ending a ban on gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the military. May 9, 2012 - In an ABC interview, Barack Obama becomes the first sitting US president to publicly support the freedom for LGBT couples to marry. September 4, 2012 - The Democratic Party becomes the first major US political party in history to publicly support same-sex marriage on a national platform at the Democratic National Convention.

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LGBT Timeline: Continued November 6, 2012 - Tammy Baldwin becomes the first openly gay politician and the first Wisconsin woman, elected to the US Senate. June 26, 2013 - In United States v. Windsor, the US Supreme Court strikes down section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, ruling that legally married same-sex couples are entitled to federal benefits. The high court also dismisses a case involving California's proposition 8. October 6, 2014 - The United States Supreme Court denies review in five different marriage cases, allowing lower court rulings to stand, and therefore allowing same-sex couples to marry in Utah, Oklahoma, Virginia, Indiana and Wisconsin. The decision opens the door for the right to marry in Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming. June 9, 2015 - Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announces that the Military Equal Opportunity policy has been adjusted to include gay and lesbian military members. April 24, 2015 - In a televised interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer, US Olympic gold medal winner Bruce Jenner says, "Yes, for all intents and purposes, I'm a woman." Jenner later reveals that she is now Caitlyn Jenner and will live as a woman. April 28, 2015 - The US Supreme Court hears oral arguments on the question of the freedom to marry in Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and Michigan. The decision may bring a national resolution on the issue of same-sex marriage. June 26, 2015 - The Supreme Court rules that states cannot ban same-sex marriage. The 5-4 ruling had Justice Anthony Kennedy writing for the majority with the four liberal justices. Each of the four conservative justices writes their own dissent. July 27, 2015 - Boy Scouts of America President Robert Gates announces "the national executive board ratified a resolution removing the national restriction on openly gay leaders and employees." May 17, 2016 - The Senate confirms Eric Fanning to be secretary of the Army, making him the first openly gay secretary of a US military branch. Fanning previously served as Defense Secretary Ash Carter's chief of staff, and also served as undersecretary of the Air Force and deputy undersecretary of the Navy. June 24, 2016 - President Barack Obama announces the designation of the first national monument to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights. The Stonewall National Monument will encompass Christopher Park, the Stonewall Inn and the surrounding streets and sidewalks that were the sites of the 1969 Stonewall uprising. June 30, 2016 - Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announces that the Pentagon is lifting the ban on transgender people serving openly in the US military. The decision removes one of the last remaining barriers to LGBT participation in the armed forces. August 5-21, 2016 - A record number of out athletes compete in the summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Human Rights Campaign estimates that there are at least 41 openly lesbian, gay and bisexual Olympians -- up from 23 that participated in London 2012 -- though Outsports.com puts that number much higher at 49. November 9, 2016 - Kate Brown is sworn in as governor of Oregon, a day after she was officially elected to the office. Brown becomes the highest-ranking LGBT person elected to office in the United States. Brown took over the governorship in February 2016 (without an election), after Democrat John Kitzhaber resigned amidst a criminal investigation.

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