Campus Pride
Equation for a Hate Crime: How Hazing and Homophobia Could Have Played a Role in FAMU's Robert Champion Jr. Death
Recently, advocates from around the country gathered in Baltimore for the annual Creating Change conference, hosted by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. At the 24th national conference on LGBT equality, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) and the National Education Association's Office of Minority Community Outreach partnered to present a timely townhall meeting that focused on the challenges lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth of color face -- one of these issues being violence at school.
Hazing is alive and well on college campuses across the nation. The tragic death of Robert Champion Jr. at Florida A&M University (FAMU) is a reminder of this.
LGBT on Campus: Three Critical Issues to Consider in 2012
Next Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, you're invited to join Campus Pride Executive Director Shane Windmeyer and Campus Pride's Queer Research Institute for Higher Education scholar and 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People co-author Sue Rankin, associate professor in education policy studies/college student affairs at The Pennsylvania State University, for a special webinar exploring critical issues for LGBT student safety and inclusion on college campuses.
From PaperClip Communications: "This fall, Elmhurst College (IL) became the first college in the nation to ask applicants about sexual orientation. Other colleges are considering this move as well as other ways that they can create a more welcoming environment for their LGBT population on campus. While there have been strides in understanding concerns relevant to the LGBT population, it is essential that academia address the emerging issues and concerns impacting LGBT people within institutions of higher education. The Campus Pride "2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People" revealed an alarming degree of harassment and discrimination toward LGBT people."
Learn more about the webinar and sign up...
A Case of Denial: Pepperdine and Notre Dame Say 'No' to LGBT Students
HUFFINGTON POST
GAY VOICES
Shane L. Windmeyer, Executive Director, Campus Pride
I commend the LGBT and ally students at both Pepperdine University and University of Notre Dame for not giving up, despite the challenges posed by administrators. Faith empowers us to believe in something greater than ourselves. Your faith is strong and, on behalf of Campus Pride, I thank you for your courage and leadership.
Pepperdine University, University of Notre Dame, and other private, religiously affiliated colleges need to do the right thing. All students deserve support and safety at college. It is time to recognize your LGBT students as part of your faith community.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE ONLINE
GAY VOICES -- HUFFINGTON POST
Campus Pride Executive Director Shane Windmeyer Chosen as Huffington Post Gay Voices Blogger
Shane L. Windmeyer, the Founder and Executive Director of Campus Pride, will now be a national blogger for the Huffington Post Gay Voices. The new section of the site was launched this past year and is dedicated to the diverse voices of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
"Campus Pride believes in the role media plays in shaping the lives of young people. Our mission is to give 'voice' and 'action' to LGBT and ally young adults. My hope is that my blog posts with the Huffington Post will help to do this by highlighting issues impacting our LGBT youth communities," Windmeyer said. "I want our movement to commit to LGBT youth and see the valuable work that Campus Pride does for future leaders."
The Huffington Post was founded by Arianna Huffington in May 2005, and launched a few days later on May 9. The Huffington Post has an active community, with over one million comments made on the site each month.
Campus Pride Supports NBJC in Calling for Hate Crime Investigation in FAMU Hazing Death
SIGN THE PETITION:
On November 19, 2011, Florida A&M University student Robert Champion Jr. was found unresponsive aboard a band bus after the school's biggest game of the year. Police ruled the death a homicide from hazing; furthermore, the parents of Mr. Champion, a 26-year-old drum major in the university’s famed marching band, have recently revealed that Mr. Champion was gay. The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s largest Black LGBT civil rights organization, is urging the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service (CRS) and Civil Rights Division, in addition to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, to launch an immediate investigation into Mr. Champion’s death as a potential anti-gay hate crime. You can help by signing our petition.
The loss of Mr. Champion is an unfortunate reminder of the need for proactive measures that foster inclusive environments for all students, regardless of their perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity, and that address the severe issue of hazing at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country—Florida A&M being one of the nation’s oldest and largest HBCUs.
CAMPUS PRIDE LGBT HISTORY: Did You Know?
Who is Mary Emma Woolley?
from Michael Bronski, Author of A Queer History in the United States
"Oh! My dear little girl, do you not know, can you not understand, that you do just as much for me as I can possibly do for you? I want to be what you think I am, Jeannette - The fact that I love you makes me wish to be more in the world."
This letter written in April of 1900, by Mary Emma Woolley, who would soon be appointed President of Mount Holyoke College, to her lover Jeannette Marks, who would soon join the college’s English faculty, is indicative not only of the passion between the women, but hints at a certain modesty on Woolley’s part. She was without question – more than most women of her time – very much “in the world.” Indeed, not only was Woolley a prominent scholar and an administrator as well as a renowned public figure, but three decades later, in 1931, Good Housekeeping named her – along with feminist activists Carrie Chapman Catt and Jane Addams – "one of the twelve greatest living women in America." Along with being at the forefront of American education – and specifically in creating new, and groundbreaking opportunities for women – Woolley was also deeply involved in social justice movements in the United States and around the world.
LGBT & ALLY YOUTH: NC, SC & GA AREA -- Youth Scholarship Opportunities, Apply Now
There are three scolarship opportunities listed for ucpoming events such as the HRC Carolinas Dinner, the East Coast Stop The Hate Campus Bias & Hate Prevention Training and, as featured on Logo, the annual Camp Pride Summer Leadership Academy. All three have different deadlines -- go online to http://www.CampusPride.org/LeadwithPride
Apply online to get a free ticket to the
Human Rights Campaign Carolina Gala
& the Campus Pride Leaders In Action Summit
Deadline to Apply: January 31, 2011 ** EXTENDED **
Apply online to participate in the
Stop The Hate Bias & Hate Crime Prevention Training
Deadline to Apply: March 1, 2012
Apply online to get a free registration to attend the
Camp Pride LGBT & Ally Summer Leadership Academy
Deadline to Apply: April 1, 2012
LEARN MORE & ASK QUESTIONS
http://www.CampusPride.org/LeadwithPride
info@campuspride.org
Special thanks to the Human Rights Campaign, the Charlote Lesbian & Gay Community Center and the Charlotte Lesbian & Gay Fund for their help in partially funding these scholarships.
SAFE SPACES: Making Schools and Communities Welcoming to LGBT Youth
Timely book chronicles the struggles of LGBT youth and offers strategies for support
“SAFE SPACES: Making Schools and Communities Welcoming to LGBT Youth” (ISBN 9780313393686) by authors Annemarie Vaccaro, Gerri August, and Megan S. Kennedy, presents a multifaceted look at contemporary climates encountered by LGBT youth.
Recent studies find that LGBT youth face bullying at a much higher rate than their straight peers and gender conforming peers, and are at increased risk for suicide. Without support, LGBT youth struggle interpersonally and academically. The authors illuminate these challenges as well as the triumphs of LGBT youth through compelling personal narratives from more than 100 LGBT individuals and allies. “SAFE SPACES” chronicles the lives of LGBT youth of all ages, weaving together recent news stories, research studies and public policy trends. Action Steps and Reflection Points are embedded throughout, offering readers positive and tangible ways to make their own homes, schools and communities more inclusive and welcoming of LGBT people.
“SAFE SPACES” points readers to a host of community and national LGBT resources, and includes a bibliography of academic, policy and news material related to LGBT issues. Readers will learn creative ways to support LGBT friendly teachers, coaches, community leaders and family members, and to challenge those that are not.
“SAFE SPACES: Making Schools and Communities Welcoming to LGBT Youth” is available for sale online at sales@abc-clio.com and Amazon.com
About the Authors
CAMP PRIDE, Register Now, Plus Apply to Become Camp Faculty or Pride Leader until Jan 13, 2012
Registration opens for CAMP PRIDE & ADVISOR BOOTCAMP
Today Campus Pride announced registration has officially opened for the annual LGBT and ally summer leadership camp, aptly called CAMP PRIDE. The organization also hosts the Advisor Bootcamp which is a LGBT Professional Academy for Advisors in coordination with the camp. Discounted early registration rates are availabe until May 1, 2012. Individuals may also apply for scholarships online.
In addition, Campus Pride is seeking volunteers to fill vacancies in the Camp Pride faculty and Pride Leader positions. These individuals plan and implement the educational curriculum of camp. Interested individuals can learn more about the volunteer opportunity online. The deadline to apply is January 13, 2012.
Learn more online at www.CampusPride.org/CampPride
Campus Pride offers exclusive screenings of ground-breaking documentary “Legalize Gay”
Legalize Gay: The Civil Rights Movement of a Generation
Part of Proceeds benefit Camp Pride for LGBT Youth Activism; Schedule Your Screening of "Legalize Gay"
November 29, 2011 -- Campus Pride is offering a special opportunity to preview an incredibly inspiring film that captures the courage and conviction of a new generation of activists determined to close the deal on full equality for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community.
Director Christopher Hines has just completed a new film “Legalize Gay - The Civil Rights Movement of a Generation,” set to premiere on Logo later next year. However, Hines has joined with Campus Pride for exclusive advanced screenings, accompanied by an educational guide designed by Campus Pride to encourage more activism in the campaign for LGBT equality.
“Campus Pride is already doing so much in the struggle for LGBT equality at universities and colleges across the country. I hope “Legalize Gay” can help in that effort,” Hines said. “The young people in the film are so inspiring.”
Campus Pride Executive Director Shane Windmeyer said “Legalize Gay” is “not only though-provoking and inspirational, but very entertaining.”
“We are very fortunate to have this opportunity to preview the film,” Windmeyer said. “It will definitely promote a lot of discussion on campus.”
Also featured in the film is “Camp Pride,” an annual event sponsored by Campus Pride, aimed at giving a new generation of LGBT activists the skills and support they need to flourish at their universities and colleges.
“It was so much fun and impressive to film such a diverse group of young people working together for a common cause - equality,” Hines said. “I hope we can get hundreds of students attending Camp Pride every year.”
Campus Pride is the leading national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization for student leaders and campus organizations working to create a safer LGBT learning environment at colleges and universities. It exists to develop, support and give "voice and action" in building future LGBT and ally leaders.
Blog RSSCampus Pride Blog
The Campus Pride Blog: Campus Q&A provides a forum to ask questions and get answers. Now you can hear perspectives, issues, news and events from LGBT & Ally student leaders at colleges and universities across the United States.
Campus Q&A is moderated by LGBT and ally student leaders from across the United States.