LGBT Maryland

Looking Forward

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:54:00 +0000

I haven't posted in quite some time, and that's because I graduated in December and am now working. This blog, unfortunately, is one of the casualties of my full-time schedule these days. But, before I put it to rest, I wanted to leave off during this, the first week of the new semester, with an inspiring letter from UMCP Asian American Studies professor and straight ally, Phil Nash:

A Straight Ally's 2008 Agenda

As a Japanese American whose mom and family were placed behind barbed wire during World War II because they were Japanese American, I can understand how unfair it is when LGBT people are treated like they are all alike and face discrimination for something they cannot change.

During the movement to redress that unfair wartime incarceration, I was struck by the different ways supposed allies treated me when I went to ask for their help. Some sympathized, but were too busy to do anything. Others wanted to help, but expected me to do all of the work. Finally, a third group understood, wanted to help, and were willing to devote some of their own time and personal capital to help my family and community receive justice.

I aspire to be like the people in that third group. When Japanese Americans received an apology and a token compensation in 1988 (although Japanese Latin Americans are still pursuing redress, which is another story), I vowed to repay the kindness shown to me by finding others who were facing discrimination and helping them receive the same fairness my community had received.

The current types of discrimination faced by the LGBT community remind me of that faced by Asian Pacific Americans over the years. For that reason, I have devoted part of my spring semester Asian Pacific American Public Policy class at U MD each year to informing students about LGBT issues and helping them to see the importance of addressing the discrimination faced by all people, not just people like themselves.

Once again, we will start the class by listening to a forum on the latest updates from those fighting for domestic partnership benefits at U MD, and then go to Annapolis with Equality Maryland to observe how a group advocates for its own rights (as a professor, I cannot force anyone to participate or base my grade on participation, but some students participate on their own). During the rest of the semester, we will use the LGBT situation as a reference point when addressing the situation facing Asian Pacific Americans.

Each class is run in different ways, but each class provides an opportunity to bring social justice into the classroom (go to http://www.rethinkingschools.org and see how even mathematics can be taught using social justice themes). I hope that each student will raise this with their teachers, and each teacher will take it upon herself to think about how to bring social concern into the classroom.

Prof. Phil Tajitsu Nash
Asian American Studies Program
University of Maryland

Best of luck to everyone in the coming year!

Kevin

Marilee Lindemann wins award!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 22:03:00 +0000

With permission, an email from Professor William A. Cohen:
Dear LGBTQI Friends, Colleagues, and Allies,

It is a great pleasure to inform you that our own Marilee Lindemann is
the recipient of a Michael Lynch Service Award from the
Gay-Lesbian/Queer Caucus of the Modern Language Association of America
for 2007. The award honors Marilee's extensive service in building and
directing the LGBT Studies program at the University of Maryland, as
well as her innovative scholarship and teaching in queer studies.

The Michael Lynch Service Award is meant, in Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick's
words, "to publicize and celebrate--and as widely as possible--the
range, the forms, the energy, and the history of queer activism by
academics." The prize will be awarded at the MLA Convention in Chicago
later this month.

Please join me in congratulating Marilee for this impressive and
well-deserved honor.

Best wishes for the end of the semester,

Bill

--
William A. Cohen
Associate Professor
Department of English
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
wcohen@umd.edu
Congrats Dr. Lindemann!!!

Trans in College

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 20:38:00 +0000

The Columbia Spectator, Columbia University's student newspaper, published a story today titled "Transgender Students Search for Campus Niche."

It is a very interesting story that touches on a lot of the struggles faced by transgender college students across the country.

To read the story, click here.

Colleges Recruit with Pro-LGBT Message

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:22:00 +0000

According to a Campus Pride press release:

CHARLOTTE, December 4, 2007 –This past weekend thirty colleges from across the United States came out to recruit high school youth and highlight their programs and services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. The national East Coast fair took place this past Satuday, December 1 on the campus of University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

...

The thirty colleges who participated in the East Coast fair were: Bucknell University, Columbia University, Connecticut College, Williams College, Eugene Lang College, Georgetown University, Goucher College, Illinois Institute of Technology, Lehigh University, Lewis & Clark College, Alfred University, Barnard College, Binghamton State University of New York, Michigan Tech, Syracuse University, Swarthmore College, Roosevelt University, Pennsylvania State University, Washington & Lee University, Monmouth University, Towson University, Princeton University, Brandeis University, Marymount Manhattan College, Emory University, University of Utah, University of Texas Austin, Hofstra University and University of Pennsylvania.

Very encouraging news! And, it's great to see that University System of Maryland was represented with Towson University attending! I attended Towson for one semester and am proud to see that it is involved in LGBT outreach.

LGB(T?) Greek Life study

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 15:10:00 +0000

Released today, from CampusPride.org:

The Lambda 10 Project, an educational initiative of Campus Pride, released results and a set of strategic recommendations from the first-ever national formal research exploring the LGBT experience within fraternities and sororities from 1960 to 2007.

The press release about the new research, which can be found here, states the following:

Results published in the Lambda 10 Project report suggest that fraternity and sorority organizations are more welcoming of LGB members today than in the past. Over 75% of the respondents were "out" to members of their fraternity/sorority, with current undergraduates reporting that they were more "out" (83%) than their alumni/ae counterparts (25%). The study also indicated the main reason LGBT people join fraternities and sororities are for "friendship" and that a significant number of these students are involved as leaders in their respective chapters.

"Overall the research is very encouraging and echoes the change in attitudes from younger generations to be more open-minded and inclusive of LGBT people," said Sue Rankin, Ph.D., the lead researcher for the study. "However, as the results suggest, we still have some work to do given that over 50% of current undergraduate (n=98) respondents reported that the climate within their chapters was somewhat homophobic."

This is an intriguing study, but I have a qualm. The use of the acronym "LGBT" seems like the most inclusive way to address our community these days, but if you aren't talking about transgender people, then don't imply you are.

Here is something to consider about the Lambda 10 project, also from the press release:

The report released today by the Lambda 10 Project is the first-ever formal research of its kind and the largest national study to date. The research builds on the data from an informal assessment published by Case (1995). Four hundred and forty people who self-identified as either current or past fraternity and sorority members responded to the call to participate in February 2006. The participants included 347 men, 88 women and one transgender person.

ONE transgender person?? ONE?

I question whether this report should be called "Experiences of LGBT People in Fraternities & Sororities." Maybe just LGB?

Either way, should be an interesting read!

"Brothers on the Down Low" Presentation at UMD

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:10:00 +0000

"Bridging the Gap between Love and Sexuality"
Brothers on the Down Low Part Two
A Discussion with J.L King
Featuring Def Poet ButtaFlySoul

Friday, Nov. 30
7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
University of Maryland Reckord Armory 0135
Free Admission

"This program is the second of a two part series addressing the topic of "men on the down low". It will seek to answer these questions: What is your perception/stereotype of men? How about men on the down low? What are the truths that underlie the myths of the brother on down low? Is there a correlation between down low men and HIV/AIDS? The Discussion will be lead by J.L. King, Author of “On the Down Low: A Journey into the Lives of 'Straight' Black Men Who Sleep with Men.” Also featuring a performance by Poet and Activist ButtaFlySoul from Russell Simmons’s HBO series, Def Poetry.

"Down Low" (DL) defined: men who traditionally identify as "straight" while having sex with other men—refusing to employ the standardized descriptors of sexual identity. "

Presented by Delta Sigma Theta, Pride Alliance, Student Entertainment Events, Student Global AIDS Campaign, University Health Center, and Zeta Phi Beta.

*Information from Facebook event listing.

Opinion Columns on Transgender and HIV/AIDS Issues

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 17:28:00 +0000

In the The Diamondback's opinion section - which I am an editor of - today, University of Maryland senior Andrew Bowen wrote a column about transgender issues at the university, in the state and across the country.

Check out the column here.

Also today, staff opinion columnist Matthew John Phillips - a University of Maryland junior - wrote his feelings about how we think about HIV/AIDS today, referencing the 19th annual World AIDS Day on Dec. 1.

Check that column out here.

Shopping for Trans Remembrance w/ HRC

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:34:00 +0000

Checking my mailbox today, I saw a new email from Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese titled "New! '08 Buying for Equality guide."

Opening the email, I was chagrined to see that the HRC had sent an email about shopping instead of one about Transgender Day of Remembrance - which is today. Although it is a commendable wish to have members of the LGBT community and our allies do their holiday shopping with companies that support equality, which is the goal of the guide, couldn't that email have been sent tomorrow, or the next day, or any day other than Transgender Day of Remembrance?

Where is the HRC's email about this important day? Maybe I missed it?

Going to the HRC's website, the first thing I saw was an advertisement for an ornament being sold at the HRC Store. The only mention of Transgender Day of Remembrance was a small link farther down the page.

The HRC is a great organization that does a lot of good. But it certainly missed the mark today.

Resources for Today, Transgender Day of Remembrance

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:24:00 +0000

Today is the day for everyone to contemplate the discrimination and violence faced by our transgender family, friends, peers, colleagues and coworkers. It is a day to think about all the ways in which we can fight against that discrimination and violence.

A great place to get some insight on the issue from the perspective of someone in tune with campus communities can be found here, on CampusProgress.org.

Check out some of the Gay-Straight Alliance network's recommendations for activities to take part in today here, via a blog from the Washington Blade. Another great resource can be found here.

Today is also a great day to think about the realities behind the noninclusive ENDA.

Partial Domestic Partner Benefits for TAs

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 23:29:00 +0000

Last year, partial domestic partner benefits were extended to faculty and staff at the University of Maryland. It was a way for the university to extend as many benefits as possible to domestic partners without the Board of Regents consent. The Board of Regents has continuously been the roadblock to the university extending full domestic partner benefits.

Now, the University Senate is dealing with whether or not to extend similar partial benefits to teaching and research assistants.

Check out The Diamondback's story about the Senate's postponement on the proposal here.

Also, in today's Diamondback, the editorial board - which I am part of - wrote a Staff Editorial about the issue. Check that out here.

Arguments over ENDA

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:13:00 +0000

I have argued that the House passing ENDA only further isolated transgender people. I still believe that. But I found this editorial by The New York Times Friday saying that progress must be accepted incrementally interesting, especially for its inclusion of a link to the HRC's Timeline of Federal Civil Rights Laws.

Much to think about. But, what remains clear to me is this: regardless of whether change occurs incrementally, voicing what is right can be done at once. If nobody was challenging the non-inclusiveness of ENDA, how much further behind would we be in the fight for trans rights?

ENDA Passes House...Big Whoop

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 16:19:00 +0000

So, the non-transinclusive ENDA passed yesterday in the House of Representatives. (Get the Washington Blade's story here.)

Forgive me if I'm not excited, even a little turned off. In my mind, this is not a great civil rights victory. It smells too much like false hopes and desertion - namely the latter.

First off, we have this, from the Blade's story, to consider:

Despite the historic House vote, there is little chance that ENDA will become law this year. The measure has yet to be introduced in the U.S. Senate, and last week, the White House issued a statement saying that senior advisers have recommended that President Bush veto the bill should Congress pass it.

Second, what we have to consider is the fact that this legislation leaves transgender people even more isolated in the American workforce than ever before, regardless of whether it passes into law. Gay and lesbian Americans yesterday received direct reassurance that the discrimination they face in the workforce is not being taken lightly by legislators. Transgender people, on the other hand, only received reassurance that they will continue to be ignored by those same legislators (and continue to be discriminated against).

(Tammy Baldwin deserves some respect. At least the amendment she introduced and then withdrew acknowledged the discrimination transgender people face. It shouldn't have been withdrawn though.)

How can we as gay and lesbian people grasp longingly at workplace protections that mean isolation for transgender people? You never leave comrades behind. A soldier who doesn't go back for his fallen friend may be doing the safe, smart thing - the thing that will probably afford him the best chance of survival at the time - but he isn't doing the brave thing, the valiant thing, the type of thing that people look back to for inspiration and humanity. When he does go back, however, he is saying, "We are in this together," and he is setting an example for others in the future who may be in a similar situation.

While the passage of a non-transinclusive ENDA may have been the safe, smart thing for gay and lesbian people to wish for, it will not be looked back on as any great achievement for them. It will be looked back on as a cold-hearted maneauver that left transgender people alone and vulnerable in the trenches.

So much for a great civil rights victory.

Wojahn Wins in District 1!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:29:00 +0000

As reported by The Diamondback today, Patrick Wojahn, a civil rights lawyer, College Park resident and plaintiff in the state's recent same-sex marriage case, has won a District 1 seat on the College Park City Council.

Congratulations Patrick! It is great that there will now be a gay council member in the home city of the University of Maryland.

As a side note, College Park already offers domestic partner benefits, unlike the University of Maryland.

Queer and Feminism Lectures at UMDCP

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 21:29:00 +0000

“Queering Performance in Three Films: American Beauty, Being John Malkovich and Boys Don't Cry”

Lecture by Dr. Christine Holmlund
Professor of French, Cinema Studies and Women’s Studies
University of Tennessee

When: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8
Where: St. Mary's Hall Multipurpose Room, UMDCP

Also:

Dr. Holmlund will discuss "Feminism and Post-colonialism in French Cinema"
in Caroline Eades' FREN 699G Seminar

When: 3:30 p.m. Nov. 8
Where: Jimenez Hall 3120
All are welcome to attend.

For more information, contact:
Caroline Eades
301 405 4029
ceades@umd.edu

Queer Theater! This Saturday @ Towson Univ.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:49:00 +0000

Check it out: some queer theater at Towson University!!

Walk Like A Man - The Play
Saturday, November 3, 2007 on the Mainstage at Towson University Center for the Arts
8000 York Road, Towson, MD.
Showtime is 7:00 p.m.

"With a mission to educate and promote diversity through theatre, Positive Scribe Productions uses spoken word and dramatic monologues to bring to life everyday realities in the gay community. The scene “Dress Right Dress,” helps the audience understand the ramifications of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” when they witness two older lesbians who finally find the love for which they have been searching. But when one dies as a casualty of war, the other has to maintain the façade of “just a friend” to protect her deceased partner’s secret. Other scenes portray couples dealing with emotional infidelity, same-sex domestic violence, gender identification, homophobia at work, homosexuality and religion, the joy of new love and the loss of an old one."

"But be warned, this is groundbreaking theatre that dares to tackle labels, issues, and stereotypes commonly faced in the LGBT community."

Body, Sexuality and Society Presentations

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 22:17:00 +0000

Passing along:

The Department and Program of American Studies at University of Maryland, College Park are proud to present the fourth installment of the American Studies Fall 2007 Colloquium Series:

Body, Sexuality, and Society Graduate Student Presentations
Introduced by Dr. Nancy Struna

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 12—2 pm
1108 Holzapfel Hall, UMDCP Campus

The following graduate students will read their research papers from the Body, Sexuality, and Society seminar.

Robert Choflet — "Neoliberal Healthcare and Maryland's Carceral Spaces"

Kenyatta Graves — "Girl, How Can You Tell?: The Down-Low and Di(ck)straction in Black Communities"

Christopher J. Pérez — "Scripting Trauma / Tran-Scripting Trauma: The 'Body' of Evidence and Interviewers' Roles in Political Asylum"

Kristen Williams — "Stuffed Shirts and Talking Heads, or The Body as Marginalia in Political Performance"

For more information about the American Studies Colloquium Series, contact Mary Corbin Sies: marycorbinsies@yahoo.com

(Brown Bag Lunch — Light Refreshments Will Be Served)

Gay men earn less

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:09:00 +0000

As reported by Reuters Life! today:

"Gay men, but not lesbians, face discrimination at work, earning up to 23 percent less than married men in some jobs, according to a new study."

Check out the full story here.

A New Gay Icon?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 17:17:00 +0000

There is now a gay icon in schools across the world. Dumbledore is gay!

Long live J.K. Rowling and her books.

Colloquium on "The Construction of Risk in Gay Neighborhood History"

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:32:00 +0000

Passing on the message:

The Department and Program of American Studies at University of Maryland, College Park is proud to present the third installment of the American Studies Fall 2007 Colloquium Series :

Dr. Christina Hanhardt, Department of American Studies and Program in LGBT Studies

"Safe Bet?: The Construction of Risk in Gay Neighborhood History"

OCTOBER 23, 12:30-2pm, 0142 Holzapfel Hall

For more information about the American Studies Colloquium Series, contact Mary Corbin Sies: marycorbinsies@yahoo.com

Our Opponents (The "Frightful" Ones)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 21:21:00 +0000

Check out the QUEERTY list of "The 20 Most Frightful Anti-Gay Activists."

An interesting read. Click here.

My favorite Rally speakers!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 18:25:00 +0000

Yesterday, on National Coming Out Day, many wonderful speakers reiterated the need for domestic partner benefits at the University of Maryland.

Check out The Diamondback's story on the event here.

Here are some pictures of my favorite speakers:

Elbridge James (President of Progressive MD, Former President of NAACP MD):
"One Maryland!"

Phil Nash (Asian American Studies Department): A straight ally!

Marilee Lindemann (Director of LGBT Studies Program): Benefits now!

National Coming Out Day

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:20:00 +0000

Tomorrow is National Coming Out Day!
Thursday, Oct. 11

EVENTS at UMD:

"Minorities Within the GLBT Minority - Scratching the Surface at the Intersections of Race, Gender and Sexual Orientation."

w/ Cuc Vu, Chief Diversity Officer & Che Juan Gonzales Tabisola, Manager, Research Center, Human Rights Campaign

Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Multipurpose Room, Nyumburu Cultural Center

RALLY for Domestic Partners!!

4:00 p.m.
Nyumburu Amphitheater

*see post below for details

In the News

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 14:55:00 +0000

The Washington Blade yesterday announced the domestic partner benefits rally to be held at the University of Maryland's Nyumburu Amphitheater Thursday.

Check it out here.

Also, on the front page of today's New York Times, there is a very important story on elderly LGBT people facing discrimination - and the efforts to change that - titled, "Aging and Gay, And Facing Prejudice in Twilight."

The story is heartbreaking, precautionary and informative.

Read the story here.

In the News

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 16:36:00 +0000

Today, The Chronicle of Higher Education published a story titled "Domestic Partners Got Health Benefits at More Colleges This Year, Survey Finds."

"According to the survey," the article states, "40 percent of colleges and universities now offer health coverage to same-sex partners, compared with 38 percent last year."

To read the whole story, click here.

Personal thoughts on ENDA

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 17:13:00 +0000

Gay, lesbian and bisexual people who think it acceptable to pass a version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act that leaves out transgender people should take a refresher course in gay history.

Maybe then they would realize the 1969 riot at the Stonewall Inn so often credited with instigating the gay rights movement would never have had the impact it did were it not for the drag queens who stood up to the New York City police.

They should also read the Human Rights Campaign’s 2008 Corporate Equality Index, which reports 98 percent of rated employers “provide employment protections on the basis of sexual orientation,” while only 58 percent provide protections on the basis of “gender identity.”

A trans-exclusive ENDA only leaves the members of the LGBT community most vulnerable to workplace discrimination more isolated. Any gay, lesbian or bisexual people who think otherwise should understand their opinion reeks of the same sour smell effused by early feminists who disregarded lesbians, early white activists who disregarded the existence of non-white gays and lesbians and all of those people who still think the military operates without the valuable services of LGBT people.