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Newsletter of the Rainbow Alliance at the University of Florida
October 2002
Next RA Dinner Meeting:
October 15, 2002 – 6:30 pm at Montego Bay (near NW 43rd and
16th)
This is hardly the first e-mail you've ever recieved as a member of the Rainbow Alliance, but this one is different. This is our first monthly newsletter. Also, the newsletter signals a change.
There's a lot going on in the LGBT community at UF and in Gainesville. Rainbow Alliance is becoming part of this work as well as opening some new areas. Rainbow Alliance is at a point where a newsletter is needed to keep you informed of the various goings on.
There's much more to say, but let's jump into the news!
Rainbow Alliance Fund Will Soon Be A Reality
RA is in conversation with the University of Florida Foundation to establish a fund that will support LGBT studies at the University and will have the long-term goal of establishing an LGBT resource center at the University.
We are now in the process of raising the money to start that fund. To understand why some of your hard-earned dollars should be devoted to this fund, read on.
For a long time, LGBT people have been oddballs, outcasts, you name it. Of course the reality is that "sexual minorities" are a permanent feature and a sizable minorty of the human population. Getting the majority to recognize that has been a fight every step of the way, and there is nothing to guarantee that the gains made up to this point will be maintained. LGBT people must maintain the pressure on the "system." Participating in RA is one way to do that. When you make the decision to attend a Rainbow Alliance meeting or to sign up for the e-mail, you are making a difference. You are refusing to be invisible.
The Fund is another way to maintain the pressure. Here are a few reasons that the Fund is needed:
First, as 10% of the population, LGBT people have every right to take their place at the table, to have a voice, to share in the rewards of work well done, to add their special perspective. The Fund is an important statement and an important tool in taking that place.
Second, the fund will act as a focal point for supporting the LGBT community at the University. Those who wish to make sure that their gift to the University will serve goals appropriate to LGBT people can contribute to the Fund and they will have the security of knowing that money will be handled professionally and fund the programs that are important to them. How the money will be used and where it will go will be spelled out.
Third, the Fund gives us a mechanism for building for the future. Like other minorities, LGBT people are used to accommodating oppression, but we still have dreams. We've scraped together just enough money to put on a show, have a dinner, print a few brochures. All those things are wonderful, but what would happen if we truly started to pool our resources? LGBT people could have a powerful presence at the University of Florida.
Fourth, money talks. Individually, we are outstanding professors, clerks, communicators, administrators, technicians, and so on. But when the time comes, where is our solidarity and our ability to make things happen? Solidarity is something we've begun to acheive over the the last two years or so just by having meetings and dinners and getting to know each other. But making things happen? That's where the Fund comes in. It's a powerful symbol of our solidarity. When LGBT alumni get involved, the pace will really pick up.
An organization grows through accepting challenges and meeting them. The Fund is this kind of challenge for Rainbow Alliance. Let's take this thing to the next level. We'll surprise and delight ourselves with what can happen.
You're Convinced – What's Next?
The next thing we have to do is give the money. We will happily accept whatever you wish to give. Contributions will be gratefully accepted from anyone; non-UF individuals who contribute $50 or more will become honorary members of the Rainbow Alliance for one year.
To make it simple, we have these contribution levels:
Under $50 – Friend of the Rainbow Alliance
$50 to $99 – Patron of the Rainbow Alliance
$100 to $199 – Benefactor of the Rainbow Alliance
$200 and above – President's Circle
Those contributing $200 or more before December 31, 2002 will be permanently designated "Founding Contributors of the Rainbow Alliance Fund" and identified as such on our Web site (at their discretion).
To contribute, send a personal check made out to Charles M. Brown to the following address:
Charles Brown
PO Box 110570
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida 32611-0570
If you prefer not to use the mail, we will be happy to arrange to collect the contribution in person.
The contributions will be acknowledged in writing, and these contributions are tax deductible.
Your contribution will fund the following:
– competitive LGBT Research/Service Awards to be given in Spring semester 2003
– purchase of materials for the collection of LGBT resources currently housed in the Dean of Students office
– Rainbow Alliance makes a contribution annually to LGBT student groups to support specific programs
– lay the financial foundation for the University of Florida LGBT Resource Center
This is an opportunity to make a real difference.
If you have any questions about the Fund or for more information > Charles Brown: cbrown@agen.ufl.edu
What is a Resource Center?
Many universities now have LGBT Resource Centers. These centers range from collection of books and videos that provide a research or information source to complexes of rooms that provide meeting areas and offices. Some resource centers have numerous staff, generate publications, provide counseling and advise administrations. Most importantly, a resource center is just that -- a center -- a nerve center for the LGBT community on campus. It goes back to the ideas of solidarity, of pooled resources, and having a place at the table.
Also, one aspect that should not be forgotten is the power of square footage in academia. Turf makes a statement.
Remember high school? For some it was heaven. For some it was hell. For a lot of gay, lesbian and transgendered youth, it was definitely the latter. At a time when you should be discovering, you're working overtime covering.
That's changing with the help of GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network. GLSEN is a national organization whose mission is to improve the educational environment for GLBTQ students. A Gainesville chapter of this organiation has recently been formed, and they are looking for members.
For more information about GLSEN >
http://www.glsen.org/templates/index.html
For more information about joining > Stu Schwartz: stufl@bellsouth.net
The Gainesville chapter of GLSEN is sponsored by the Human Rights Council of North Central Florida, Gator Gay Straight Alliance (GGSA), Pride Community Center of North Central Florida, and Planned Parenthood of North Central Florida.
*GLBTQ -- gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, questioning. All these letter can be easy to lose track of. Toronto Pride 2002 used GLBTTIQ, which includes transsexual and intersexual. Watch for "A"; it stands for allies. Maybe that's what straight people would be called if gay people were in the majority. [back]
On March 12, 2002, Miami-Dade Community College put out a press release indicating that it would begin offering medical and dental benefits to same-sex partners of its employees. That's good news. Miami has been a friendly place for gay people – off and on.
Miami-Dade county enacted a county-wide policy of anti-discrimination for gays and lesbians in December 1998. But Miami has a bitter legacy. In 1977, it was where Anita Bryant, a former Miss America and then spokesperson for Florida orange juice (she held this position from 1968 to 1980), started a campaign against gays and lesbians. Her campaign became a lightning rod for hate and distortion.
Continuing that legacy, a group of religious activists brought a ballot initiative in the September 2002 elections to overturn the county ordinance prohibitng discrimination against gays and lesbians in employment, housing, credit and accommodations. Through a long battle, that initiative was turned down by a margin of 53% to 47% and the county policy stands. A few of the activists violated the law in their petition campaign and have been charged with fraud.
Read about the Miami-Dade vote >
http://www.hrc.org/newsreleases/2002/index.asp
Read the MDCC press release > http://www.mdcc.edu/press_releases/031202DomesticPartners.pdf
Read a truly worshipful bio of Anita Bryant > http://www.anitabryant.com/biography.html
(Paragraph 16 describes Ms Bryant's political activities in 1977.)
FYI: Florida Schools and Colleges That Offer Domestic Partner Benefits
Broward Community College, Fort Lauderdale,
FL
Broward County School District, Broward Co., FL
Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, FL
Miami-Dade Community College, Miami, FL
Rollins College, Winter Park, FL
University of Miami, Miami, FL
[Source > http://www.actwin.com/eatonohio/gay/colldompar.htm]
How do I know if I have a domestic partner? Take our exclusive DP quiz!
But seriously, folks, check out this application for domestic partner benefits from Miami-Dade Community College > http://www.mdcc.edu/hr/DP/DeclarationofDomesticPartnership.pdf
USF Pres Takes Strong Stand On Sexual Orientation Anti-Discrimination Policy
In a recent speech at the University of South Florida College of Education, USF president Judy Genshaft was asked about plans to include sexual orientation in the university's diversity and equal opportunity policies. According to one listener, President Genshaft spoke passionately and "explained the consolidation of diversity offices ... and said that she is creating a mission statement that will now promote diversity, anti-discrimination, and openness."
In her Fall Address, President Genshaft stated: "Diversity is an important issue for all universities as well as society in general. Diversity is an essential component of an educational environment that prepares students for the 21st Century. Diversity brings us intellectual talent from all backgrounds. And it brings different perspectives to the questions being considered on our campuses. As a university serving a region of richly diverse demographics, cultures and influences, we recognize that much of our future success will depend on our making diversity integral to all we do. Whether it's race, age, gender, economic background, sexual orientation or any of the other identifiers of a diverse world, our university must be a welcoming place."
Read Pres. Genshaft's Fall Address > http://www.usf.edu/president/archive/falladdr_02.html
October Is Pride Month in Gainesville
October is it. Between National Coming Out Day on October 11 and Pride Celebration of Gainesville during October 17-27, October is Pride Month in Gainesville. Lots of fabulous activites and events are being planned.
National Coming Out Day is the anniversary of the gay and lesbian march on Washington in 1987. This event is now promoted by the Human Rights Campaign.
Pride Week is held in June in many places, but Gainesville is a bit quiet in June, so the event is held in October when everyone is here for the party!
Read about how National Coming Out Day
began > http://www.hrc.org/ncop/history/1987beginning.asp
Pride Celebration of Gainesville > http://www.gainesvillepride.org/
RA-online > coming soon!
Pride Community Center of Gainesville > http://www.pridecommunitycenter.org/
Gainesville Community Alliance (GCA) > http://www.gcaonline.org/
Pride Student Union > http://sg.ufl.edu/pride/
Gator Gay Straight Alliance > http://www.gatorgsa.org
Many more links > http://sg.ufl.edu/pride/links2.html
Membership in Rainbow Alliance is available to all staff and faculty at the University of Florida. Graduate students will be considered for membership. Health Science Center staff and faculty are also welcome to join Rainbow Alliance. Individuals not associated with the University may become honorary members of Rainbow Alliance through an annual contribution to the Rainbow Alliance Fund of $50 or more.
To become a member, send an e-mail to Charles Brown > cbrown@agen.ufl.edu
I hope you've enjoyed reading this as much as I have writing it. Forgive my enthusiasm, but Rainbow Alliance is a great organization with some exciting work to do.
Truthfully, some of the background reading I did was discouraging. When LGBT people have tried to move ahead, they've met some fierce opposition. You learn early how to pick your battles, and many times you simply choose not to fight.
In the end, I'm not sure it's about fighting anyway. But it is about pressing ahead, and when I think about you, the RA members, I become very encouraged.
Next newsletter out on November 8. Enjoy Pride Month!
Charles Brown, editor
Greg Allen
Linda Lamme
Stu Schwartz
Corrections, comments, copy > Charles Brown: cbrown@agen.ufl.edu
RA-news, newsletter of the Rainbow Alliance at the University of Florida, copyright 2002