Newspapers / Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.) / May 24, 2003, edition 1 / Page 8
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NEW YORK CITY — With students and professors finishing up final exams and incoming college freshman finalizing their college plans, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute released the largest-ever study of the climate on US college campuses toward GLBT students, faculty and staff. Campus Climate for Cay, Lesbian, Bisexual, arid Transgender People: A National Perspective, by Dr. Susan R, Rankin, found more than one in three GLBT undergraduate students have experienced anti-gay harassment within the past year. Almost 1700 students, faculty, administrators and staff in 14 colleges and universities throughout the country were sur veyed for the report. “It is extremely alarming, in 2003, people on college campuses continue to experience anti-GLBT harassment,” said NGLTF Executive Director Lorri L, lean. "Higher learning institu tions should be at the forefront of educating people about the damage of homophobic and transphobic acts. Because most of the 14 uni versities surveyed provide visible support through pro-GLBT policies and resources, we can only imagine the extent of homophobia on college campuses across the country.” ' Campus Climate reveals that almost a fifth of respondents had feared for their physical safety in the last year because of their sexual orientation or gender identity and 43 percent considered the climate of their campus to be homophobic. Other findings include: • 41 .percent of the respondents stated that their coilege/univcrsity was not addressing issues related to sexual orientation or gender identity; • 51 percent of the respondents con- . cealed their sexual orientation or gen der identity to avoid intimidation; • 71 percent felt that transgender people were likely to suffer harassment and 61 percent felt that gay men and les bians were likely to be harassed. “While there have been significant improve ments over the past decade, clearly harassment and bias are still major concerns for GLBT stu dents, faculty and staff,” said Dr. Scan Cahill, NGLTF Policy Institute Director. "Almost all of the universities that agreed to participate in the survey have sexual orientation non-discrimina tion policies and/or GLBT campus centers. However, most of the Linited States’ more than 5500 colleges and universities don’t have such policies or programs in effect.” While most universities and colleges pub licly commit to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, their actions and poli cies often do not support these goals. In March 2003, Virginia Tech’s governing board voted to eliminate its affirmative action policy and to remove sexual orientation from its non-discrimination policy. When Virginia Tech students and staff protested, the univer sity reinstated both policies. An April 24 story in the California San Diego Union-Tribune reported that frustrated by a resurgence of racially and sexually motivat ed incidents, dozens of University of San Diego students and faculty walked out of classes and urged the administration to address anti-gay, racist and anti-Semitic sen timents on campus. And activists at universi ties across the country complain signs for GLBT student activities are regularly ripped down and covered with anti-GLBT graffiti. “Many GLBT campus members find they must hide significant parts of their identity, thereby isolating themselves socially or emo tionally,” said Rankin. “Those who do not hide their sexual orientation or gender identity have a range of experiences including discrimina tion, verbal or physical harassment, and sub tle or outright silencing. While higher educa tion provides a variety of opportunities for stu dents and others, these are greatly limited for those who fear for their safety, feel they must censor themselves, or arc denied opportunities because of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Rankin, a Senior Diversity Planning Analyst at the Pennsylvania State University. "We hope this report will assist educators, activists,’student leaders and elect ed officials in making universities safer and more accepting of GLBT people.” Campus Climate makes policy recommen dations to universities and colleges that are seeking to create a truly inclusive environ- see CAMPUS on 22 WIN-WIN PRODUCTIONS LLC We work directly with casting directors to fill spots in movies, music videos, television, commercial spots, modeling & e)dras. Ho experience needed! No retainer required! All sizes, all types & all races. Will pay for all headshots, classes & travel. Minimum job pays $600.00 a day. Call for an appointment today. Serious inquiries only! 704-341-0511 4.
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May 24, 2003, edition 1
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