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LGBT Issues in Fraternity Life

LGBT Issues in Fraternity Life. Mark Kalinich, 2013 DKE. Overview. Why I’m Here Why You Should Care about LGBT Issues LGBT Issues in Fraternity Life Suggestions for Improvement. Who I Am. Senior in Chemical-Biological Engineering Played Football Middle School-Freshman Year MIT

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LGBT Issues in Fraternity Life

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  1. LGBT Issues in Fraternity Life Mark Kalinich, 2013 DKE

  2. Overview • Why I’m Here • Why You Should Care about LGBT Issues • LGBT Issues in Fraternity Life • Suggestions for Improvement IFC LGBT Presentation

  3. Who I Am • Senior in Chemical-Biological Engineering • Played Football Middle School-Freshman Year MIT • Love weightlifting/powerlifting • ΔKE Brother • Gay IFC LGBT Presentation

  4. Why I’m Here • Explain LGBT Fraternity Issues • Suggest ways to help provide a safe and accepting environment for LGBT brothers (both in and out of the closet) IFC LGBT Presentation

  5. Why You Should Care Family Rejection Because of Homosexuality Leads to1: • 8.4-fold increase in suicide attempts • 5.9-fold increase in serious depression • 3.4-fold increase in illegal drug use 1Ryan et al. “Family Rejection as a Predictor of Negative Health Outcomes in White and Latino Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Young Adults.” Pediatrics 2007. www.pediatrics.org/cgi/doi/10.1542/ peds.2007-3524 IFC LGBT Presentation

  6. It’s More than Just Numbers “I was extremely close to killing myself. I now know that suicide is never a good option, but back then I thought that was the only way out of this whole mess. . . Anyway, thank you Mark, because although you didn't actively do anything for me, without knowing it, you were honestly the first positive "thing" in a sea of negative shit that was eating away at me” —email from February 22nd2013 IFC LGBT Presentation

  7. Main Problems I Saw NOT: Active bullying or harassment • Use and Acceptance of homophobic language • Heteronormative assumption • Combine to yield an environment of “passive hostility” that prevents LGBT brothers from feeling safe/accepted IFC LGBT Presentation

  8. Insert Link to “NoHomophobes.com” IFC LGBT Presentation

  9. Problem #1 Homophobic Language • “That’s so gay” • “Faggot” • “Queer” • “Fairy” • “No homo” • “Dyke” IFC LGBT Presentation

  10. Language Suggestions • Try to remove homophobic language from your vocabulary • Speak out when others use homophobic language • Discuss derogatory language use as a house IFC LGBT Presentation

  11. Issue #2: Heteronormativity • Basic Problem: Assumptions • Coupling of Sexual Orientation and Masculinity • Leads to Gender-specific Language IFC LGBT Presentation

  12. Suggestions • Use Gender-Neutral Language • Ask supportive questions “Who were you out with/dating” • Don’t assume! IFC LGBT Presentation

  13. FAQ: A Brother Comes Out4 DO: • Be Patient/let them come out at their own pace.  • ASK who they want to know and what you can do to help them • Commit yourself as an ally DO NOT: • Out them • Push them to disclose information they don’t want to • Make Derogatory Gay Jokes 4 “Tips for When a Person Comes Out to You.” USC Student Affairs. http://sait.usc.edu/lgbt/coming-out/tips-for-when-someone-comes-out-to-you.aspx IFC LGBT Presentation

  14. Summary: How You Can Help3 Accept and Support LGBT Equality • Avoid homophobic language • Confront those who don’t • Don't assume everyone is heterosexual. • Use inclusive language (date vs. girl) 3 “What is an Ally.” University of Akron’s Lesbian, Gay Transgendered and Bisexual Union, 14 December 2009. http://www.uakron.edu/groups/lgbtu/allies.php IFC LGBT Presentation

  15. Resources/Contact Abigail Francis-Director, Rainbow Lounge afran@mit.edu Mark Kalinich—kalinich@mit.edu IFC LGBT Presentation

  16. Questions? IFC Presidents’ Council LGBT Presentation

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