Faculty Staff Safe
Zone Seminar
MaryBeth Walpole
Walpole@rowan.edu
x4706
Experience of LGBT Students
 College and university environments are a
microcosm of society. The same issues that
exist in the larger community also exist in
classes, offices, residence halls, apartments,
and student organizations on campus
 The college years (18-22) are a period that
individuals are defining themselves and this
includes their sexual identity
 About 10% of the population is LGBT - there is
no accurate number because individuals have
to self identify
 The LGBT population is an invisible
underrepresented and marginalized population
Campus Experiences
 43% of all students, faculty, and staff
hide their sexual identity to avoid
intimidation
 13% of LGBQ participants feared for
their physical safety
 63% hide their gender identity to avoid
intimidation
 43% of transgender students, faculty,
and staff feared for their physical safety
 This result was more salient for LGBQ
students and for LGBTQ people of color.
Campus Experiences
 23% of LGBQ staff, faculty, and students
reported experiencing harassment
 83% of these respondents identified
sexual identity as the basis of the
harassment.
 39% of transgender students, faculty,
and staff reported experiencing
harassment
 87% identified gender
identity/expression as the basis of the
harassment
GLB Identity Development
 Cass’ Model- identity is developmental and
linear; 6 stages- not all progress through all
stages






Confusion- gender roles don’t fit
Comparison- look at others who are similar
Tolerance- acknowledgement
Acceptance- positive identity developed
Pride- attending events, joining organizations
Synthesis- integrating ID into all areas of life
GLB Identity Development
 D’Augelli’s model- identity is developmental,
evolves over a lifetime, is nonlinear; 6
interactive processes
 Exiting heterosexual ID-acknowledgement to self
and others of GLB identity
 Developing personal GLB ID- positive stable
identity
 Developing social GLB ID- creating a supportive
network
 Developing a familial GLB ID-coming out to
parents, families, non-GLB friends can be
traumatic
 Developing intimacy- having relationships
 Entering GLB community-committing to social and
political action
GLB Identity Development
 Troiden’s - 4 stage, non-linear model:
 Realization- realization of difference, often
before puberty
 Identity confusion- questioning sexual
orientation
 Identity assumption- LGB identity becomes
clear
 Commitment/self-acceptance- Complete
self-acceptance; pride develops
Transgender Identity
Development
 D’Augelli’s model is being adapted
 Exiting traditional gender ID-acknowledgement to
self and others of Transgender identity
 Developing personal Transgender ID- positive
stable identity
 Developing social Transgender ID- creating a
supportive network
 Developing a familial trans ID-coming out to
parents, families as transgender
 Developing intimacy
 Entering Transgender community
General campus concerns for
LGBT students
 Coming Out
 Academic issues/choices
 Lack of Privacy
 Roommates
 Lack of Activities
 Dealing with Harassment
Causes of campus concerns for
LGBT students
 Generally, we assume our students are
heterosexual unless they tell us otherwise
 Student Language is often homophobic
 Students report some faculty use homophobic
and non-inclusive language, and make
disparaging comments, jokes
 The campus environment and residence halls
are rooted in heterosexuality
What can I do?
 Be an Ally for
LGBT students
 Create an inclusive
community in your
classes and offices
 Understand the
important role you
play and the impact
you have on
students
 Make an effort to
educate yourself
and others
 Be a role model to
those around you
 Be aware of the
issues around
coming out
What can I do?
 Support
 Be a visible ally by displaying the sticker
 Support students who come out to you
 Question or correct anti-LGBT language
 Educate
 Include LGBT people/representations in curriculum
 Teach and model respect for all
 Advocate
 Support and promote inclusive campus policies
What is the University doing?
 Sexual orientation/ gender and affectual
orientation included in nondiscrimination
policies (NJ State Law)
 Transgender Housing Policy
 New Construction
 Safe Zone Program
 April – Rowan PRIDE…in who you are and
who you love
Campus Resources
 Safe Zone participants
 Multicultural Affairs office
 Dean of Students office
 GSA
 Counseling center
Online resources
 National Consortium of Directors of LGBT Resource in
Higher Education
http://www.lgbtcampus.org
 Campus Pride
http://www.campuspride.org
 Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network
http://www.glsen.org
 Human Rights Campaign
http://www.hrc.org
 It Gets Better Campaign
http://www.youtube.com/user/itgetsbetterproject