Creating a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender-affirming environment

As anyone who saw the National Coming Out Day advertisement in the Cornell Daily Sun on Oct. 11, 2002, is aware, Cornell has already taken many of the foundational steps necessary to create an affirming environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (lgbt) people. This was the 15th National Coming Out Day, a celebration of the anniversary of the 1987 March on Washington for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights and equality. It is a tribute to the efforts of the Cornell community that this year's Sun ad contained the names of over 500 people, almost equally divided between "out and proud" lgbt folks and straight allies. In a less affirmative environment, members of the community would have been much less willing to declare themselves as either members or allies of the lgbt communities.

Cornell has included sexual orientation (though not, as yet, gender identity) in its equal opportunity and anti-discrimination policies (as has Tompkins County local law), made domestic partnership benefits available for students, staff and faculty in same-sex relationships, instituted various educational efforts around lgbt issues, created a liaison position in the Student Assembly for an LGBTQ liaison, established an LGBT Resource Center and a position for lgbt student support in the Office of the Dean of Students. These are all important and significant institutional steps for making the Cornell community an affirming and supportive environment for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. There is still, however, work to be done to make the Cornell community as a whole an affirming environment for lgbt people. Here are some suggestions and resources that every individual in our community can use to improve the climate for lgbt people and further diversity in our community.

Remember that you don't know anyone's sexual orientation unless the person tells you. Don't assume that everyone is heterosexual unless they tell you differently.

Confront heterosexist comments when you hear them. Respond to derogatory jokes, incorrect assumptions/stereotypes, misinformation, et cetera. Make it clear that you support an inclusive community. Participate in the Safe Place Program by displaying a "Safe Place" card. Displaying a "Safe Place" card is a powerful statement; it suggests that you are ready to respond favorably to those who are marginalized because of sexual orientation or gender identity as well as prepared to challenge discriminatory or stereotypical language. For more information about the Safe Place Program, visit: http://sss.dos.cornell.edu/haven/safeplace/.

Visit the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center and attend events sponsored for the lgbt communities. Take advantage of the diversity education and training opportunities available through the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center and the Office of Workforce Diversity, Equity and Life Quality. If you're not comfortable discussing lgbt issues and confronting heterosexism, these educational opportunities can help you develop skills and give you information that will make you more comfortable.

If you perceive tension around sexual orientation or gender identity in your workplace, contact the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center or the Office of Workforce Diversity, Equity and Life Quality. Both the center and the office have staff and resources to help you and your unit work through any issues that may arise.

This column was written by Gwendolyn Dean, coordinator for the LGBT Resource Center, and Ednita Wright, assistant dean of students for diversity and outreach. The Diversity Digest is one of the services provided by the university's Diversity Council. For information about the council, this column, the council's newsletter or about diversity initiatives at Cornell, contact co-chairs Robert L. Harris Jr., vice provost for diversity and faculty development, at 255-5358 or rlh10@cornell.edu, or Lynette Chappell-Williams, director of the Office of Workforce Diversity, Equity and Life Quality, at 255-3976 or lc75@cornell.edu.