A Gay/Non-Gay Alliance
at Bloomfleld College
These items are meant only as guides to how you might begin to be more inclusive of lesbians, gays, and bisexuals. These items are not dogma. They can be contested, changed, expanded.)
 |
Assume that in any group gay, lesbian,
bisexual people are present. |
|
Assume that gay, lesbian, bisexual people are
whole, complex people for whom sexuality is one part of who they are. |
|
Be supportive when your gay or lesbian
ftiend, family member, or coworker is upset or angry about discriminatory treatment or sad
about the break-up of a relationship with a partner or lover. |
|
Use the terms "gay" or
"lesbian" when you are referring to persons who have the same-gender
sexual-affectional orientation. Refrain, as much as possible, from using the term
"homosexual' in reference to gay and lesbian people. |
|
Learn not to become or defensive or
distracted from your work against prejudice when people accuse you of being gay or lesbian
because you have taken a stand against anti-gay or anti-lesbian prejudices. Also, do not
let such fears prevent you from taking such a stand. |
|
Learn to take a stand in you department, with
your family, friends, and colleagues when anti-gay or anti-lesbian comments or jokes are
made. |
|
Involve yourself in activities and programs
that will allow you to learn more about lesbian and gay culture. |
|
Rid yourself of the stereotype of
"male-female" roles in gay and lesbian relationships. |
|
Do not assume that gay men and lesbians
"prey" on heterosexuals. |
|
Be aware of how sexism affects lesbians, and
racism affects lesbian-gays of color. |
|
If a gay or lesbian person makes sexual
overtures to you, say "No" directly if such overtures are inappropriate or
unwanted. (Ask yourself the question: "How would I respond in the same situation if
he/she were of the opposite gender?). |
|
Accept bisexuality as a viable life choice
and not the posture of a confused person. |
|
Understand your privilege as a
"straight" (i.e. heterosexual) person and the ways in which heterosexuality is
rewarded in this culture. |
|
Respect a gay, lesbian, or bisexual person's
right to come out or to remain in the closet. Do not identity people as lesbian, gay or
bisexual to others in any situation, even to other gay and lesbian people, unless you are
certain the person wishes his/her identity known. Also do not speculate about people's
sexual orientation in the work setting--such speculation is inappropriate and dangerous. |
|
Learn not to privilege heterosexuality and
heterosexual relationships in programs, services, the classroom, leisure-time, social
activities, et.al. |
|
Do not assume that gay men and lesbians have
the same experiences or that their cultures and histories are the same. |
|
Educate students about sexuality in its many expressions. |
Adapted from and used with the permission of
The office of Diversity Community Affairs and
Lesbian-Gay Concerns Rutgers University.