I thought for my 1st “main post” to EMUTalk I share some good news about EMU.
History has been made in Higher Education this week. For the 1st time ever LGBT youth can now compare universities on their inclusion of LGBT Students through policies and practices on campus. I am proud to say EMU scored 4.5 out of 5. We actually share the same score with the university right up the road, yes we share the same score with Uof M.
If you would like to see the EMU profile you can check it out @ http://www.campusclimateindex.org/details/premium.aspx?ID=99
If you would like to see how these rating system is set up you can go to http://www.campusclimateindex.org/about/default.aspx This will give you the validation there academics need 
.
I also say go check out other schools @ http://www.campusclimateindex.org/search/default.aspx See how we rate to other schools.
This is a great tool for prospective student. We are at least doing something good! So we might as well promote it!
Congrats to many people who work day in and day out for make the LGBT Community at EMU feel safe and welcomed.
I would love to hear what others have to think about EMU’s rating and the LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index in general
That’s actually pretty exciting, Chris.
I work right next door to the LGBT Resource Center and am continually impressed by the volume and quality of programs and events that they put on. I think that our high rating is due in large part to their efforts.
While others could speak more knowingly about this than me, i think EMU is a pretty lgbt friendly place.
We’re a welcoming university, by and large. Here’s a story that, while on the surface may seem to contradict what I just wrote, is
is actually an ‘exception that proves the rule.’
Years ago, in 2000, a lesbian student of mine was verbally assaulted by a small group of anti-gay bigots as she left prayharrold around 2pm, and one of them threw a rock and hit her in the face, leaving some pretty bad cuts.
The attackers were never found, but this student got a tremendous about of personal support and political
solidarity, and classmates of hers organized a “Don’t Throw Rocks” rally a week later. Many hundreds of people attended. This attack
on an EMU student stands out for being both, first of all, entirely atypical for EMU, and second, for the
unanimity by which faculty, students, staff, admnistrators expressed our objections to such violence and
hatred — anywhere, but especially not on our campus.
EMU certainly does deserve this recognition. Bravo!
I think you guys should do another Gender Monologues, which I believe you spoke at during last year’s. I went, covering it for the Echo, but also enjoy hearing stories of coming into oneself – you know, journey stories. How you got to where you are.
Any special activities for Out Month?
Gender Monologues was pretty neat, I agree.
Also, there are a TON of events for Out Month! If you go up to the LGBT Resource Center (354 Student Center), they have a bunch of schedules you can pick up. Also, the events are listed on the website… Here!
I actually went to one of the first events of the month today – the Paris is Burning screening at the student center that was co-sponsored by the LGBTRC and QUEST.
If your interested in more of the gender and coming out related things, there’s a Trans 101 workshop tomorrow (tuesday) at 2:30, and an event on the 11th called Come Out, Speak Out which looks like it’s more geared towards those journey stories.
As mentioned before, the LGBTRC and other groups really put on good, quality programs, and you can really see that with the work they’ve put into the next month’s events.
In this weeks police blotter, it says an 18-year old was beaten up at Putnam Hall by two ann arbor men and they suspect his sexual orientation is why..