LGBT Concerns Committee Minutes, January 2008

LGBT Concerns Committee Minutes

Meeting Held: January 11, 2008, 2 - 4 pm, Ustler Hall, 3rd Floor meeting room

Next Meeting: February 8, 2008, 2 - 4 pm, Ustler Hall, 3rd Floor meeting room

Committee Web site: http://www.aa.ufl.edu/committees/lgbtcc.htm

Attendance: Greg Allen, Mark Brennan, Joyce Dewsbury, Michael Dietz, John Dobson, Carlos Hernandez, Jill Lingard, Chris Sessums, Martin Smith, Nora Spencer, Flo Turcotte (chair)

Reports and Discussion (Actions Items are marked **)

Chair's Remarks --LGBT Affairs is publishing an electronic newsletter, Inside OUT.
--Also, the LGBT Affairs Resource Library has posted an Amazon.com wish list
--Alphabet Soup - gatherings sponsored by LGBT Affairs office. Brainstorming of topics: Joyce and Flo will present on Gay Parenting and Children of Gay Parents

Agenda Items
The City of Gainesville is considering adding Gender Identity to its non-discrimination clause for employment, housing, credit, and public accommodation. The final hearing will be held later this month.

Reports and Addition of New members to Subcommittees
--Rainbow Alliance Research and Service Awards Committee: Joyce, John, Martin. Charles Brown and Geoffrey Giles will be consulted about current rules for the awards. Mark Brennan added.
--Bias Reporting Task Force: Michael, Jen, Nora
--Sexual Harassment Workshop Working Group: Flo requested that all committee members try to sign up for a session. HR requested that committee members register through MyUFL to attend the workshop. Flo agreed to a meeting with Jodi Gentry at the end of the spring semester for the committee to provide feedback on workshop content and materials.
--LGBT Resources/Webpages Task Force (formerly Library Resources Webpage Task Force): Greg, Joyce, Michael, Michelle, Martin. The index of materials in the Dean of Students Office is up to date and online; Martin will organize.
--Center for LGBT Students Focus Group: Michael, Jen. Chris, Nora and Carlos added. LGBT Concerns should have representation on this group of students who are meeting weekly.
--Domestic Partners Health Care Benefits Task Force: Jessica, Kendal, Michelle. Jill added. Group will request a meeting with HR- Benefits office and the Provost.
--UF Policies Task Force: Jessica, Kendal, Michael, Martin. The goal is to add gender identity and expression to the non-discrimination clause in the University Regulations. In addition, to add Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression to UF's Affirmative Action Plan for Equal Employment opportunity.
--Rita Mae Brown Honorary Degree Task Force was formed. It will be comprised of Flo, Nora, Carlos, and Mark.

LGBT Campus Climate Survey
--Members are asked to take the survey at http://www.campusclimateindex.org/details/overall.aspx and forward their responses to Flo for discussion at the next meeting.

General Announcements and Concerns:

Carlos requested that members refer UF students interested in forming an LGBT Empowerment Group to him. The first meeting will be Wednesday, January 30 from 2-3:30 pm.

A Community Building and Activism Workshop will be held on January 16 at 6:30 pm at the Institute of Black Culture.

Joyce announced that Interweave will be meeting on Sunday, Feb 2, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville.

Nora announced that Pride Awareness Month will be held in April of this year.

The Multicultural Awards Ceremony will be held on March 25.

We decided to invite Danaya Wright to meet with our group sometime this semester.

We discussed the activities of Fairness for All Families and Florida Red and Blue toward fighting the "Marriage Protection Amendment" which will call into legal question domestic partnership benefits and very likely roll-back accomplishments over the last several years.

Meeting adjourned at 4:04.

Meeting Held:	January 11, 2008, 2 - 4 pm, Ustler Hall, 3rd Floor meeting room
Next Meeting:	February 8, 2008, 2 - 4 pm, Ustler Hall, 3rd Floor meeting room
Committee Web site:	http://www.aa.ufl.edu/committees/lgbtcc.htm
Attendance:	Greg Allen, Mark Brennan, Joyce Dewsbury, Michael Dietz, John Dobson, Carlos Hernandez, Jill Lingard, Chris Sessums, Martin Smith, Nora Spencer, Flo Turcotte (chair)

Reports and Discussion (Actions Items are marked )**
Chair's Remarks	--LGBT Affairs is publishing an electronic newsletter, Inside OUT. --Also, the LGBT Affairs Resource Library has posted an Amazon.com wish list --Alphabet Soup - gatherings sponsored by LGBT Affairs office. Brainstorming of topics: Joyce and Flo will present on Gay Parenting and Children of Gay Parents
Agenda Items	The City of Gainesville is considering adding Gender Identity to its non-discrimination clause for employment, housing, credit, and public accommodation. The final hearing will be held later this month. Reports and Addition of New members to Subcommittees --Rainbow Alliance Research and Service Awards Committee: Joyce, John, Martin. Charles Brown and Geoffrey Giles will be consulted about current rules for the awards. Mark Brennan added. --Bias Reporting Task Force: Michael, Jen, Nora --Sexual Harassment Workshop Working Group: Flo requested that all committee members try to sign up for a session. HR requested that committee members register through MyUFL to attend the workshop. Flo agreed to a meeting with Jodi Gentry at the end of the spring semester for the committee to provide feedback on workshop content and materials. --LGBT Resources/Webpages Task Force (formerly Library Resources Webpage Task Force): Greg, Joyce, Michael, Michelle, Martin. The index of materials in the Dean of Students Office is up to date and online; Martin will organize. --Center for LGBT Students Focus Group: Michael, Jen. Chris, Nora and Carlos added. LGBT Concerns should have representation on this group of students who are meeting weekly. --Domestic Partners Health Care Benefits Task Force: Jessica, Kendal, Michelle. Jill added. Group will request a meeting with HR- Benefits office and the Provost. --UF Policies Task Force: Jessica, Kendal, Michael, Martin. The goal is to add gender identity and expression to the non-discrimination clause in the University Regulations. In addition, to add Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression to UF's Affirmative Action Plan for Equal Employment opportunity. --Rita Mae Brown Honorary Degree Task Force was formed. It will be comprised of Flo, Nora, Carlos, and Mark. LGBT Campus Climate Survey --Members are asked to take the survey at http://www.campusclimateindex.org/details/overall.aspx and forward their responses to Flo for discussion at the next meeting. General Announcements and Concerns: Carlos requested that members refer UF students interested in forming an LGBT Empowerment Group to him. The first meeting will be Wednesday, January 30 from 2-3:30 pm. A Community Building and Activism Workshop will be held on January 16 at 6:30 pm at the Institute of Black Culture. Joyce announced that Interweave will be meeting on Sunday, Feb 2, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville. Nora announced that Pride Awareness Month will be held in April of this year. The Multicultural Awards Ceremony will be held on March 25. We decided to invite Danaya Wright to meet with our group sometime this semester. We discussed the activities of Fairness for All Families and Florida Red and Blue toward fighting the "Marriage Protection Amendment" which will call into legal question domestic partnership benefits and very likely roll-back accomplishments over the last several years. Meeting adjourned at 4:04.