Creighton Allies Program Training
What is CAP?
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History
– SAFE On Campus, Ball State University,
1992
– Safe Space, Safe Zone, Safe Place
– Why at Creighton?
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Purpose
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Always Our Children
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Respect for the God-given dignity of all persons means
the recognition of human rights and responsibilities.
It is not sufficient only to avoid unjust discrimination.
Homosexual persons "must be accepted with respect,
compassion and sensitivity“
Nothing in the Bible or in Catholic teaching can be used
to justify prejudicial or discriminatory attitudes and
behaviors
We call on all Christians and citizens of good will to
confront their own fears about homosexuality and to curb
the humor and discrimination
We understand that having a homosexual orientation
brings with it enough anxiety, pain and issues related to
self-acceptance without society bringing additional
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prejudicial treatment
Vocabulary
Basic Terms
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Sex: Medical term designating a combination of
gonads, chromosomes, secondary sex
characteristics.
– Traditionally divided into male or female
– Intersex: Someone whose biological sex is ambiguous.
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Sexual Orientation: Emotional, physical, and sexual
attraction
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Homosexuality
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Homosexual: A person who is
emotionally, physically, and/or
sexually attracted to members of the
same sex.
The terms “gay and lesbian” are often
preferred by members of the
community.
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Bisexuality
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Bisexual: A person who is emotionally,
physically, and/or sexually attracted to
both men and women.
– Not a transition phase from
heterosexuality to homosexuality
– Legitimate Sexual Orientation
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Sex and Sexual Orientation
Marie Young
Elizabeth Straley
TJ O’Neill
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Vocabulary Part 2
Gender Terms
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Gender: A person’s gender is made up of these
things:
– Identity/Awareness: One’s psychological sense of self
– Expression: The way one expresses oneself; how society
views oneself
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It is important to remember that an individual may
fall anywhere along any of these different spectra
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Transgender
Trans Terms
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Transgender: Refers to those whose
gender expression sometimes runs
contrary to what others would
normally expect.
– “umbrella term”
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Transsexual: Individuals who change
their sex to align with their gender
identities.
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Sex, Gender & Sexual Orientation
Marie Young
Elizabeth Straley
TJ O’Neill
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Why are people gay?
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Scientific research has linked
homosexuality to genetics as well as
some environmental causes (primarily
exposure to certain hormones before
birth)
However, there seems to be no single
cause of homosexuality (APA)
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Choice?
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The American Psychological Association
notes that the consensus among
professionals in the field is that most people
experience “little to no choice” regarding
their sexual orientation
Further, they note that homosexual
behavior is not a psychiatric disorder and
that homosexual behavior is a normal part
of the spectrum of human sexuality
(apa.org)
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Coming Out
Identity Development
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Coming Out: The lifelong cyclical
process of developing a positive
identity as a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or
transgender person.
Why is “coming out” necessary?
– Assumption of heterosexuality
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Coming Out
Stages
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Awareness
Confusion, questioning
“Coming out,” acceptance
Integration and acceptance
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Reflection Questions
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If you were a parent, how would you react if
your child disclosed an LGBT identity to you?
If someone you care about were to say to you,
“I think I’m gay,” would you suggest that the
person see a therapist? Why or why not?
How would you feel if others automatically
assumed you were homosexual, regardless of
your actual sexual orientation?
Can you think of three ways homophobia
manifests itself in our society, either
institutionally, legally, or socially?
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Homo-, Bi-, Transphobia
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An irrational fear of:
– persons who identify as homosexual, bisexual or
transgender
– homosexuality, bisexuality or transgenderism
– any behavior, belief, or attitude of self or others
which does not conform to rigid sex-role
stereotypes
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Reinforces sexism and heterosexism
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Homo-, Bi-, Transphobia
Effects on LGBT Students
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Depression
Suicide
– Twice as likely to report having seriously
considered suicide or made a suicide plan
and three to four times as likely to report
attempting suicide
– 30% teenage suicides among LGBT youth
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Shame (internalized homophobia)
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Coming Out
Challenges to Developing a Positive LGBT Identity
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Identity Confusion
Rejection
Misinformation
Lack of Self-acceptance
Denial of Basic Civil Rights
Relationship Development
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Activity
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A Guided Journey
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Heterosexism
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Heterosexism: The individual or
institutionalized assumption that
heterosexuality is the ‘normal’ sexual
orientation and which, therefore,
systematically denies, invalidates and
fails to recognize the complete
humanness of LGBT persons.
What causes heterosexism?
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Heterosexual Privilege
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Heterosexual Privilege: The basic civil rights
and social privileges that a heterosexual
individual automatically receives, which are
systematically denied to LGBT persons on
the sole basis of their orientation.
For instance:
– not questioning your normalcy and having
positive role models in the media
– living in a residence hall without fear of rejection
or discomfort from roommates
– walk down the mall holding hands with partner
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Heterosexism
Combating Heterosexism
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To combat heterosexism, address its primary
cause, homophobia
- Object to the use of offensive terms, such
as “fag,” “dyke,” and “queer” (contextual)
- Do not reinforce the assumption that all
“normal” people are heterosexual
- Fight institutionalized homophobia,
especially related to the concepts of “sexual
preference,” “special rights,” and “gay
agenda.” These terms are used to demean
GLBT individuals and reinforce homophobia
in society.
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Activity
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Three Volunteers
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Creating an Inclusive
Campus Environment
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Object to and eliminate “gay” jokes and
humor.
Don’t force anyone to disclose his or her
orientation to you.
Appreciate the strength and struggle it
takes to establish a positive LGBT identity.
View the creation of an inclusive campus
environment as the responsibility of
everyone in the Creighton community, not
just LGBT individuals.
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Ally Development
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What is an ally?
– A person who supports the gay, lesbian,
bisexual, and transgender communities
– Actively works to break down systematic
discrimination against LGBT people
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Ally Development
Stages
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Stage
Stage
Stage
Stage
1:
2:
3:
4:
Pre-Contact
Acceptance
Internal Identification
External Identification
(Redefinition)
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Activity
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A Guided Journey…with a twist
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Thank you!
Please feel free to ask any
questions.