Historically Black College FAMU Adopts LGBT Protections

Very interesting. The first HBCU to do this I believe!

Here's the press release

The FAMU Board of Trustees today added sexual orientation and gender identity to the university’s non-discrimination policy. The move drew strong praise from Equality Florida as an important step toward creating a welcoming and inclusive campus.

“We salute the FAMU administration and the Board of Trustees for their commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for FAMU students, faculty, staff and visitors,” said Nadine Smith, CEO of Equality Florida, who served on the committee that advocated the changes. “These protections send a clear message that the university is a place where all are welcome to learn and excel in a safe environment, without fear of discrimination. This policy of inclusion will also serve to enhance FAMU’s ability to attract the best and the brightest academic minds."

FAMU is the largest of the country’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs.

The measure passed unanimously, and the revised policy will now be posted for a 30-day review period before adoption. The push for the policy was driven by the LGBT Fact Finding Committee, comprised of students, faculty, staff and community leaders. The committee formed in February 2012 following the hazing death of Robert Champion, a gay student at FAMU.

In the wake of that tragic death, Equality Florida joined with the National Black Justice Coalition, students and community leaders to call upon the university to adopt a strong anti-discrimination, anti-bullying policy.

The committee will now focus on implementing "best practices.”

Now will the other HBCUs do the same?

Parents and Students think FAMU's Anti-Hazing rules are Too Harsh... Child Please

After the death of Robert Champion Jr. and complains of other hazing incidents, Florida A&M University created stricter rules and penalties to end hazing. Which is good, most universities do that in order to avoid lawsuits and prevent student deaths. However, some silly students and their parents think it's too harsh.

Really, they think it's too harsh.

A handful of students, as well as the father of a FAMU student, pleaded Thursday with the university board of trustees to help them.

"The efforts put forth to eradicate the culture of hazing has gone overboard," Inita Knox told trustees during a meeting held on FAMU's campus. 

A FAMU sorority was investigated for hazing this past February after someone posted a complaint on the university anti-hazing website. The Tallahassee Democrat reported late last month that the Leon County Sheriff's Office decided against pursuing criminal charges in the case. But a report said pledges were forced to do exercise squats and memorize information about sorority members during the gathering, which occurred from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. That led to the university decision to dismiss several students from school - some for periods up to five years. 

Interim President Larry Robinson, who would not discuss any individual students, said that university officials discovered that the hazing allegations had "some merit."Robinson said the university had an obligation to look into what happened even though no criminal charges were filed. While the university would not provide exact details, the school's new anti-hazing administrator said that 15 students have been dismissed this year so far over hazing allegations. 

Knox, a pledge of Delta Sigma Theta, passed out during the session and was eventually interviewed by police. She told trustees that she had a heart condition and that she had tried to hand over that information to university officials but that she and other pledges had been given the "runaround." Reggie Sylvain drove from Atlanta to also complain to trustees. He told them that his daughter had been dismissed from school even though she was scheduled to graduate in a few weeks. Sylvain refused to talk to reporters after he addressed the university board. Another student said the experience has been a nightmare"

Maybe I'm crazy to think it's a great idea for a university to have strict rules on hazing. I guess since I'm an administrator at USC, I totally get that. But what I don't get are these folks whining about the issue. People have died from hazing. Lost their lives for pledging in a fraternity or a sorority, and in some cases a marching band. It's ridiculous to stand there and try to debate this. Lives, the university's integrity and the image of these groups are at stake here. I don't get why they are whining about this?

Hazing is a foolish, archaic act. When lives are lost over it; stop it, eradicate it immediately  Why risk your life or any lives for 3 Greek letters? It's not worth it. And to the parents and students who are complaining, sit your silly asses down and think about someone else for a change. In fact, think about Robert Champion Jr's family and all the other families that lost their children over hazing.

Just think about that.

source

Howard University files a Brief against Prop 8

Historic!

One of the oldest Black Universities has filed a brief to strike down Prop 8

Here's their intro statement:

As one of the oldest among historically black colleges and universities, Howard University School of Law has long placed the defense of human rights,equality and dignity at the heart of its educational practice.

This Court faces the question of whether marriage should be equally available to same-sex couples as to opposite-sex couples. In seeking to answer the question, the Court will inevitably confront—directly or indirectly—the argument that the struggle for equal rights for same-sex couples does not constitutionally or morally equate with the fight against racial subordination. Amicus curiae respectfully submits this brief as a corrective to the flawed distinction too often drawn between equal rights for racial minorities and equal rights for all human beings.

Click the link above to read the brief.

Morehouse College Introduces their First Black LGBT History Course

With the hard work of Morehouse's Dr. Michael Hodge, SafeSpace’s Special Project and Events Coordinator Marcus Lee and Yale University professor Dr. Jafari S. Allen, Morehouse College will have their first LGBT History Course!

Morehouse's local paper reports:

The course is expected to outline various key concepts in Black feminism and critical cultural theory and methodology. Described as “an interdisciplinary survey of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) culture and politics” in the course’s syllabus, the class will serve as an in-depth look into critical, social and cultural theory that will vastly benefit the Morehouse community.

SafeSpace’s Public Relations Director Ja’Mal Lewis believes that this course will finally shine light on the LGBT figures that have been overlooked throughout history.

“Many influential LGBT leaders have gone unrecorded due to their sexuality, and they made many of the movements that changed and shaped our history,” Lewis said.

The course will be offered for credit Spring 2013.

A HBCU finally gets a their First LGBT Resource Center

This is bittersweet news. Bowie State University is the first HBCU to have a LGBT resource center on campus.

The grand opening was held in the center’s permanent home. The goal of the center is to provide information, counseling and a safe space for LGBT students. 

The grand opening was packed with 80 people attending.  Dr. Adrian Krishnasamy, Director of the Resource Center and Assistant Professor, Department of Communications, is the Faculty Administrator for the Bowie State Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA).  The event was attended by over six key Administrators.  

The school has been working on opening the center since 2007.  They experienced resistance in moving forward with key officials backing it. The issue was challenged also because the university lacked sufficient funding to support it.  "Opening a center like this at Bowie State is significant because HBCU’s usually don't want to address LGBT issues," says Dr. Adrian Krishnasamy.

Yes, they don't and that's why this news is bittersweet. Out of a 100+ HBCUs, this is the first and only one?

Unacceptable. I mean, I'm happy for Bowie and their students, but this is a shame. Maybe their efforts will motivate other schools to move forward.

What's Really Going on with Robert Champion's Case?

Robert was killed over 3 months ago and still no one is held accountable, set for trial or identified. So what's really going on with this case?

Here is some insight:

There are dozens of witnesses and possible suspects to be interviewed in Champion's killing, and most of them live outside the Orlando area. Some may not be cooperating.

Also, the case has garnered international attention for revealing the culture of hazing within the famous band, adding greater pressure to make sure there are no holes in the investigation.

Detectives were unable to interview all the witnesses who know what happened on the bus immediately after Champion died because his death wasn't ruled a homicide until a month after he collapsed. They have been trying to recreate the events by interviewing witnesses, often traveling to Tallahassee where FAMU is located.

"It's not like arriving at the scene of a homicide where there has been a shooting and you interview all the witnesses," said Danielle Tavernier, a spokeswoman for the State Attorney's Office. "They have to go out and coordinate with those people who were there that day."

Half a dozen detectives have interviewed or are in the process of interviewing 30 to 35 witnesses, said Ginette Rodriguez, a spokeswoman for the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

"With this amount of people ... three months really isn't a lot of time with an active caseload that these detectives are carrying," Rodriguez said. "We're going to send this over to the state, and of course, they're going to want to make sure that they're presenting a good case. That is basically all it is."

Robert's family is concerned like many of us about this investigation. The longer it takes, the longer Robert's murderers walk free.

source

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/24/2659064/slain-drum-majors-kin-worried.html#storylink=cpy

President Obama appoints a Gay Man to the Advisory Board for Historically Black Colleges

President Obama plans to nominate Reverend George B. Walker, Jr. to the President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

George is an openly gay man and has worked in several organizations like: the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, American Constitution Society for Law and Policy, the HRC, and the Center for Community Change.

I hope George is chosen to the board. His views may help HBCUs deal with LGBT students.


source

CNN talks with the Family of Robert Champion Jr.

To be honest, I am not pleased that his sexuality is NOT mentioned at all! This part of his life can't be ignored. I hope in future interviews, his family discusses his sexuality.

Spelman College receives National props for their 1st LGBT Summit for HBCUs

Dr. Beverly Guy-Shefthall helped create the summit

The media is taking notice of Spelman College's efforts in addressing the LGBT community. Ever since their summit, more schools and students are finally getting involved with these issues on their campus.

Black Voices News reports

The Chronicle of Higher Education, National Public Radio, BET, and Color Lines News for Action are among the media outlets that wrote about the significance of the conference in dealing with gay and lesbian issues on Black college campuses.

Many observers, HBCU alumni, and fellow students commended Spelman administration as well as young panelists for leading the charge.

"Spelman College is leading HBCUs in opening up conversations about the needs and concerns of LGBT students," according to a column published in The Chronicle of Higher Education.

"These types of conversations need to take place on HBCU campuses throughout the nation," it continued. "For too long, gay and lesbian issues have been ignored at HBCUs, leaving behind a significant percentage of African-American students who are looking for support as they pursue their educations and develop their personal identities."

Dr. Beverly Guy-Shefthall, who helped spearhead the inaugural event, said she was "pleased and a little pleasantly surprised by the national coverage." She said the forum is just one of many initiatives she hopes to see in 2011.

This was a great start. HBCUs can not ignore or act slowly to LGBT issues or the students. It is a high priority for these colleges to address all students. Spelman has set the example, now let the education and development begin.

Spelman College host their 1st LGBT Summit for HBCUs

Spelman College did the damn thing. They host the 1st LGBT summit at their university for HBCUs (Historic Black Colleges and Universities).

Here's the scoop:

The conference, titled “Facilitating Campus Climates of Pluralism, Inclusivity, and Progressive Change at HBCUs,” is the first of its kind. Participants came from nine HBCUs to attend several panel discussions throughout the day on campus about LGBT communities and ways to create a more open climate at school for those who have alternative lifestyles.

“We hope that [the summit] will provide some leadership for HBCUs to address LGBT issues as it relates to students, faculty and staff,” said Dr. Beverly Guy-Sheftall, the founding director of the Women’s Research and Resource Center at Spelman. “We think that the public awareness will put the issue on the radar.”

Black colleges as a whole have been slower to take on this public dialogue on lesbian and gay issues for a few reasons.

“Some [schools] were founded with religious affiliation,” Guy-Sheftall explained. In addition, the relative silence on the issue seems to mirror the Black community’s attitude as a whole. “Black colleges are not different from African-American communities in general.”

One recent issue related to LGBT issues on HBCU campuses stands out. In 2009, Morehouse College, one of the summit participants, established  a controversial dress code, which banned students at the all-male institution from wearing clothing “associated with women’s garb (dresses, tunics, purses, pumps, etc.)” on the campus.

Guy-Sheftall says she’s seen other campuses have issues surrounding dress code. “But the biggest issue we’re facing on our campuses is [the lack of] open public dialogue,” she said. The suicide last year by a gay Rutgers University student, who jumped off a bridge last September after his sexual encounter with another man was streamed live unbeknownst to him, made the project more urgent, she continued, and the hope is to tackle intolerance on HBCU campuses, before it reaches that point.

According to BET.com several HBCUs attended like: Bennett College of Women, Howard University, Clark Atlanta University, Southern University, North Carolina Central University, Philander Smith College, Morehouse College and Morgan State University.

And all of the HBCUs will receive a packet with training info, programming ideas and other resources. This was a great move for HBCUs. It is very important for them to support their LGBT students and staff.

Hat tip to Rod 2.0 for the info and heads up

Morehouse President responds to Vibe's 'Mean Girls' Article

A letter from the Morehouse President, Robert M. Franklin:

Dear Morehouse Community:

Next week, Vibe magazine, a hip-hop music and culture monthly, will publish in their October/November issue an article on Morehouse. I strongly disagree with the likely substance of this article and wanted to write to you directly to share my views.

The article, entitled, “The Mean Girls at Morehouse,” purports to examine the lives of some of our gay brothers as it relates to the enforcement of our appropriate attire policy we enacted a year and a half ago. It seems clear from the headline alone that the Vibe editorial team’s intent is to sensationalize and distort reality for the purpose of driving readership. The title of the article speaks volumes about a perspective that is very narrow and one that is, in all likelihood, offensive to our students whether gay or straight.

As president of this institution, as a Morehouse graduate and as a father, I am insulted by what is to be published. Addressing our young men as “girls” is deeply disturbing to me, no matter what the remainder of the article may say. Morehouse has for 140 years developed men—men who are equipped to live and contribute to an increasingly diverse, global and complex world.

Let me be clear. I believe in the freedom of the press and its critical role in examining all facets of our society to foster reasoned discourse and to promote understanding of topics both popular and unpopular. We will not always agree with what is written. I disagree, however, in journalism that attempts to malign and distort, rather than inform and enlighten.

I need not tell you that the black male is already faced with challenges in nearly every aspect of his life. Injustices abound. Families are broken. And our young black boys are failing to reachtheir potential in grade school and middle school at pandemic rates. And while the world grapples with complicated issues related to economic disparity, racism, sustainability, and diversity and tolerance, Morehouse stands in the breach, seeking answers to the pressing issues facing our young men, encouraging dialogue and expecting excellence.

The world is complex, and it is diverse. Morehouse reflects that same complexity and that same diversity. It is unfortunate that the Vibe article will heighten misunderstandings and advance or inform little.

In the end, no media outlet can shape who we are or in any way diminish our mission. But together we can encourage media outlets like Vibe to provide fair, well-researched and balanced journalism.

Finally, Morehouse will stand by its values. We will continue to set high standards and focus on the development of our young men. Thank you for standing with us.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Franklin
President

source

Morehouse College GAY Pride Week events

Morehouse Safe Space sent this schedule to me. This is a solid list of events.

I'm very impress with this. I hope to see more from Morehouse.

Thanks again Morehouse Safe Space!

Morehouse College host their 1st GAY Pride Week!

I'm shocked the premier HBCU, Morehouse College, held their 1st Gay Pride Week.

And I'm even more shocked they challenged themselves and invited the media diva, B. Scott, as a guest speaker.

See here:

MULTIMEDIA MAVEN B. SCOTT TO SPEAK AT MOREHOUSE’S FIRST-EVER GAY PRIDE WEEK
B. Scott will be sitting on “Out & in the Spotlight” panel

(Atlanta, GA, March 22, 2010)—March 23, 2010 marks Morehouse College’s first-ever Gay Pride Week. To commemorate this historic event, B. Scott, famous gay African-American TV/Radio personality and Internet sensation, will be speaking on Tuesday, March 23 on the “Out & in the Spotlight” panel.

WHAT: The “Out & in the Spotlight” panel is one part of the week long PRIDE WEEK, hosted by Safe Space, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organization that openly addresses the issues of homophobia, hegemonic dispositions, racism, sexism and gender construction. Scott will be discussing his experiences as being an out gay out man in the entertainment industry; the importance of loving and accepting oneself; and how being gender non-conforming—not adhering to society’s rules about dress and activities for people that are based on their sex—has shown the need to help expand society’s views of what being LGBT is in this country.

WHO: B. Scott is a TV/Radio personality and Internet sensation. Hundreds of thousands of viewers tune into his YouTube partner channel, www.youtube.com/lovebscott and log onto his website, lovebscott.com to hear his witty, fun and lively commentary on his personal experiences, current happenings and celebrity gossip and to see the latest episode of THE B. SCOTT SHOW. Bringing an infectious personality and outspoken nature, B. Scott has achieved much of his success by directly connecting with his love muffins (the name he uses for his fans) and his achievements have allowed him to gain interviews with celebrities such as Mariah Carey, Jordin Sparks, Nene Leakes, Ne-Yo and Ashanti. B. recently branched out into television, appearing on such shows as TV One Access Hollywood and Extra. For more information about B. Scott visit www.lovebscott.com.

WHERE: Morehouse’s African-American Hall of Fame (the upper level of The Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel on the Campus of Morehouse College); 830 Westview Dr Sw
Atlanta, Georgia 30314.

I will post more on this very soon.

source

HRC starts a HBCU resource Website

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.

source