This is a great start to a long overdue problem. HRC has reached out to the HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) by launching a website, providing resources and tools.
Some of the HBCUs are religious based or not very open to LGBT students. I feel that this idea will send a great message out there and hopefully, empower students to come out and be proud.
Last week, the HBCU program launched a new website building on the work of the previous years. This new and interactive site symbolizes a fresh direction for the program. As student groups become more independent and as we gain a better understanding of how unique each campus and its issues are the program has evolved. The HBCU program website now provides broad access to programming, resources and tools, most of which have been specially made for HBCU campuses.
This kind of access has helped student leaders to organize letter writing campaigns in their communities in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. By connecting students with resources such as a step-by-step guide to planning a day of action, information on who their representatives are and a sample letter to help guide their writing, they were empowered to advocate on a national LGBT issue. On Howard University’s campus alone students authored 30 letters in support of ENDA. For many of these students this was their first time taking political action outside of casting a ballot.
The website will also keep students informed about what’s happening on other campuses through the blog, and provides information on HBCUs that have an LGBT group on their campuses. Students can connect to HRC through various online media and request specific new resources be developed for the problems they’re facing on their campuses. These are just some of the features we’ve provided for students and their allies, and we will continue to update the website with new content making it a living catalyst for activism on HBCU campuses.
I think this is a great step for HRC, HBCUs and the LGBT community.
