Out but invisible: Understanding the prevalence of heterosexism within minority populations

1. Out but invisible: Understanding theprevalence of heterosexism within minority populations • Vanessa Ball, Steven Crudele, Brian Hoffman

2. Learning Outcomes At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to: • Compare their feelings and life experiences to those of LGBTQ individuals within minority populations. • Articulate the concept of heterosexism and its implications for LGBTQ individuals within minority populations. • Sympathize or empathize with LGBTQ individuals coping with loss associated with coming out. • Advocate for the development of a more inclusive campus climate through their basic understanding of how to become an ally.

3. Safe Space Expectations • Be physically and mentally present throughout the program • Participate, do not dominate (“step up, step back”) • Be respectful of other people’s opinions and experiences • Speak only for yourself, using “I” statements, rather than “we” • Be open to hearing other points of view • Confidentiality: what is said here, stays here; what is learned here, leaves here • Challenge by choice

4. Guided Journey

5. On the (number) card, you should write: 1. The name of a person from your childhood with whom you shared secrets. 2. A small valued material possession from high school which you used to keep in your locker. 3. A particular place or location where you feel most welcome. 4. The name of a person who is close to you. 5. A goal or dream of yours today.

6. Debrief Initial reactions

7. Debrief Loss can come in many forms. People may act on their heterosexist beliefs in a manner that is blind to the devastation they cause. How did it feel when you lost the items or relationships you wrote on your cards?

8. Image retrieved from https://sites.google.com/site/lgbthomelessyouth/violence-and-bullying/heterosexism

9. Heterosexism • Assuming every person to be heterosexual, therefore marginalizing persons who do not identify as heterosexual. • Believing heterosexuality to be superior to homosexuality and all other sexual orientations. http://geneq.berkeley.edu/lgbt_resources_definiton_of_terms#heterosexism

10. Mueller and Cole (2009) asked students, “What does it mean to be heterosexual?” • It means not being homosexual • It may mean being in conflict with one’s faith • It means distancing oneself from homophobia • It means being invisible

12. Heterosexism in minority populations

14. Many LGBT people of color report feeling “uncomfortable being out in predominantly straight, people of color venues, but also felt out of place at predominantly White queer settings.” (Rankin, 2004) Diversity Community Family “As a chicana, I felt ostracized even more. Forget about feeling a sense of community when you’re a member of two minority groups.” (Rankin, 2004) Expected roles and norms Peers Faith

15. #dived13 “Baldwin, more than anyone else, taught me that although I am gay, I am white, and that being white always involves persistent privilege that must be recognized and accounted for.” “I think white gay people feel cheated because they were born, in principle, in a society in which they were supposed to be safe.” “The anomaly of their sexuality puts them in danger, unexpectedly.” Reference: Clayton, T. (2013, February 12). Gay will never be the new Black: What James Baldwin taught me about my white privilege . Huffington post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/todd-clayton/gay-will-never-be-the-new-black_b_2639537.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

16. (Adapted from The Fraternity and sorority anti-homophobia training manual, Lambda 10 Project)

17. Campus Best Practices

18. Retrieved from http://desktop.freewallpaper4.me/download/7338/glee-kurt-hummel

20. (Adapted from: Fraternity and sorority anti-homophobia training manual, Lambda 10 Project)

21. Questions?