Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Title

IX: Lots of Letters, Lots of

OpportunityKelsey Jarrett

Graduate Assistant, Multicultural Student Affairs

Drew NewtonCoordinator for the Gamecock Gateway

Teambuilder/ Icebreaker

Through the workshop participants will:

Learning Outcomes

• Understand how Title IX applies to the LGBT community 

• Understand USC’s nondiscrimination clause and its relationship to sexual orientation and gender identity

• Recognize elements that can create a hostile environment for LGBT students, faculty, and staff

• Recognize what violence looks like within the LGBT community 

• Utilize and know the on-campus resources

• Approximately 3.5% of adults in the USA are LGB and 0.3% of adults are transgender = 9 million LGBT Americans

• An estimated 1.8% of adults identify as bisexual compared to 1.7 % as lesbian or gay

• 19 million Americans (8.2%) report they have engaged in same-sex sexual behavior and nearly 25.6 million Americans (11%) acknowledge at least some same-sex sexual attraction

By the NumbersA Look at LGB Statistics Nationally

• In 2005, there were an estimated 117,033 gay, lesbian, and bisexual people living in South Carolina.

• In 2010, there were approximately 7,214 same-sex couples in South Carolina.

By the NumbersA Look at LGB Statistics in South Carolina

REMINDER:Not everyone is heterosexual!

Not everyone simply identifies as “male”

or “female.”

TerminologyTerms Associated with Sexual Orientation and

Gender Identity

The Genderbread Person

By: It's Pronounced Metrosexual

What does Title IX say?

Remember: This is not exclusively male/female or female/male.

Remember: This applies to campus inclusion at large. One incident of orientation/identity bias can create a hostile environment.

What does Title IX say?

What Does USC’s Nondiscrimination Clause Say?“The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions on the basis of personal characteristics that are not relevant to an individual's abilities, qualifications, or job performance. Under federal and state law, these characteristics include age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, and disability status. It is the policy of the University that an individual's sexual orientation be treated in the same manner.”

How Do We Compare?USC is a part of the:• 85% of schools that have a professional staff member for the

LGBTQ community• 71% that do NOT include gender identity in the non-

discrimination policy or in any diversity statements• 57% that have provided resources for trans* students such

as a list of gender neutral bathrooms on campus

USC is not part of the:  • 81% of schools that allow students to put their preferred

name on campus directories, class rosters and student ID cards (can only change name and email alias on the online directory)

• 30% of schools that have gender neutral housing

Star Activity

• 72% of LGBT students heard homophobic remarks such as "faggot" or "dyke" frequently at school.

• 61% of students reported feeling unsafe in school because of their sexual orientation; 40% felt unsafe because of their gender expression.

• 40% of LGBT students reported physical harassment because of their sexual orientation; 27% were physically harassed because of their gender expression.

Elements of a Hostile EnvironmentAccording to a 2009 study…

• 29.1% of LGBT students missed a class at least once and 30.0% missed at least one day of school in the past month because of safety concerns.

• 2.7 = the average GPA of students who were frequently harassed because of their sexual orientation/gender expression.

Elements of a Hostile Environment…on a student’s academic progress

2009 National School Climate Survey

• 1/3 of LGBTQ college students seriously considered leaving or left their institution because

they weren’t accepted.

• 23% reported experiencing harassment…with 83% saying it was because of their sexual orientation.

• Just under half of all faculty, students, & staff hide their sexual identity (43%) or gender identity (63%) to avoid intimidation.

Elements of a Hostile EnvironmentAccording to a 2010 study…

Multiple layers of oppression– Societal reactions to their identity– Racial prejudice– Limited economic resources– Limited acceptance within

community/culture– Limited acceptance or understanding within

the LGBT community– Lack of role models (at large and in the

racial/ethnic community)

LGBT Multiculturalism

Harper, G. W., Jernewall, N., & Zea, M. C. (2004). Giving voice to emerging science and theory for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people of color. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 10(3), 187-199.

• Mental Health Concerns (isolation; low self-esteem; depression; anxiety; suicidal ideations)

• Substance Abuse (tobacco/alcohol/drug abuse)

• Discrimination/Harassment• Relationship Concerns (Friends; Family

Members; Intimate Relationships; Sexual Relationships; Interpersonal Violence)

The Environment’s Impact…on a student’s overall wellness

Homophobia in Action

Gwen Araujo (2003)17 years old

Raymond Chase (2010)19 years old

Tyler Clementi (2010)18 years old

Sean Kennedy (2007)21 years old

• Occurs at similar rates to heterosexual couples• The Center for American Progress reports:–One out of four to one out of three same-sex relationships has experienced domestic violence.–A common tactic is threatening to “out” the other individual–“Lesbian and gay victims are more reluctant to report abuse to legal authorities. Survivors may not contact law enforcement agencies because doing so would force them to reveal their sexual orientation or gender identity.”–“Gay and lesbian victims are also reluctant to seek help out of fear of showing a lack of solidarity among the gay and lesbian community. Similarly, many gay men and women hide their abuse out of a heightened fear that society will perceive same-sex relation- ships as inherently dysfunctional.”

Violence in the LGBT Community

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/lgbt/news/2011/06/14/9850/domestic-violence-in-the-lgbt-community/

• The Center for American Progress reports:–“Gay and lesbian victims are more likely to fight back than are heterosexual women. This can lead law enforcement to conclude that the fighting was mutual, overlooking the larger context of domestic violence and the history of power and control in the relationship.”– Authorities also lack information/an understanding of same-sex relationships–Varying levels of protection across states and municipalities

Violence in the LGBT Community

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/lgbt/news/2011/06/14/9850/domestic-violence-in-the-lgbt-community/

So What Can You Do?

• Avoid assumptions that all students are heterosexual or operate on a binary gender identity scale

• Get to know—and challenge—your community

• Provide role models• Understand what the laws and our

policies state• Know your resources• Unite Carolina!

How do we create an inclusive Carolina?

On Campus Resources

Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention & Prevention (Stand Up Carolina)Thomson Student Health Center, First Floorwww.sa.sc.edu/shs/savip• 1:1 appointments regarding sexual assault and

relationships violence• Coordinate the university’s bystander

accountability program

On Campus Resources

LGBT Programs and ServicesRussell House West Wing – Lower Levellgbtusc@mailbox.sc.edu | 803.777.7716• Programming and presentations• 1:1 and group meetings• Online resources at www.sa.sc.edu/omsa

• Educate the campus community• Provide assistance to our LGBT

and Ally Gamecocks• Retain LGBT faculty, staff, and

students• Help all Carolinians understand

their role in providing a safe, inclusive environment

Safe Zone strives to…

• Take a political or religious stand

• Force participation in uncomfortable or exceptionally personal activities

• Require individuals to become Allies

• Push individuals to “come out”

Safe Zone does not attempt to…

On Campus Resources

Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Straight AllianceMeets every Tuesday at 8 p.m. in Currell 107www.facebook.com/bglsa• Signature events such as Ms. Gaymecock and

The Birdcage• Weekly social and educational opportunities• Programs and community service

On Campus Resources

Counseling & Human Development CenterByrnes Building, 7th Floor (across from the Horseshoe)www.sa.sc.edu/shs/chdc• 1:1 appointments• Weekly LGBT Support Group (Fridays at 1:30 p.m.)

• Suicide Prevention Services

Resources in our Area

• Monthly potlucks• “Undefined Gender” support and

dialogue group• Youth OUTLoud and faith-based groups• YEAH! – Youth Empowered Against HIV

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.