The 411 for UVM Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, and Questioning Ally Affiliates
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1) Advocacy and Support
Non-discrimination Policy
Both sexual orientation and gender identity/expression are included in UVM's non-discrimination policy. Also the city of Burlington and the State of Vermont prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Domestic partner benefits-such as health insurance-are available to UVM staff and faculty who are either married or have a Civil Union including same-sex partners.
LGBT-related Bias Incidents
At the same time, Burlington was nominated in 2001 as one of the Gay-Friendliest small cities by PlanetOut.com. UVM has a bias protocol to deal with incidents of bias within the University and larger Burlington Community. Details can be found online at: www.uvm.edu/~aaeo.
University Response to Bias Incidents
UVM takes all incidents of anti-LGBT bias and harassment seriously. Students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to report bias incidents to Police Services or any office in the Diversity and Equity Unit, the ALANA Student Center, LGBTQA Services, the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity, and the Women's Center.
President's Commission on LGBT Equity
The mission of the President's Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Equity is to make recommendations to the President, acting as a catalyst and advocate in ensuring equity for members of the LGBTQA community, and addressing sexual orientation and gender identity issues throughout the University. Ensuring a safe, positive, fully engaging university experience for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, faculty and staff enriches the campus community.
Diversity and Equity Unit
The Diversity and Equity Unit is comprised of four offices: Affirmative Action & Equal Opportunity Office (AAEO), ALANA Student Center, LGBTQA Services, and The Women's Center. Its mission is to engage the University community if a collaboration to create an environment of social justice, inclusion, and equity, and, in so doing, help facilitate the actualization oft he vision of the University as a divers premier public research university
Supportive Faculty & Staff
The University of Vermont has a visible, strong and vibrant LGBTQA community including an active LGBTQ ally presence . Many faculty
and staff publicly display rainbow cards that say, Affirming, or Ally: Safe Space, Safe Person. LGBTQA Services distributes
Affirming cards at trainings and workshops.
2) Community
ALANA Student Center
The ALANA Student Center (ASC) fully supports the holistic development of ALANA (African, Latino(a), Asian, and Native American) and Bi/Multiracial students so that as confident students of color they attain their goals for academic achievement, personal growth, identity formation, and cultural development. Contact: asc@uvm.edu.
Free To Be
UVM's LGBTQA student alliance, entirely student run and recognized by the Student Government Association (SGA). Free To Be's mission is "to actively work on creating a safe space for people of all sexualities, gender icentities, and individualities within ourselves and the GLBTA and UVM communities. The club welcomes everyone who is interested and has many members who are allies. It is active throughout the year, with events drawing anywhere from 40 to 300 people. Contact: free2b@uvm.edu.
Hearts Not Parts
Hearts Not Parts is a Bisexual/Pansexual/Ally. Meetings are relaxed, ranging from informal discussions to fun games. Contact: smangan@uvm.edu.
LGBTQA Drop-in Center
The LGBTQA Drop-in center provides a cozyretreat for studying, games and groupactivities. The center houses the LGBTQA lending library. Drop in hours on line. Contact: lgbqt@uvm.edu.
Linemen
Linemen is a group meant to unite Gay, Bisexual, and Questioning men in a safe and casual atmosphere in order to discuss topics and issues surrounding these identities at the University of Vermont and within society. Contact: linemen@uvm.edu.
QPOC (Queer People of Color) is a support group for students, faculty, and staff at the
The Women's Center
The Women's Center values and celebrates the multiplicity of women's lives; recognizes the intersections of gender, race, sexual orientation, economic status, and other significant aspects of individual and cultural identity; accepts responsibility for opposing injustice; and commits itself to service to the University and larger communities.Contact: women@uvm.edu.
The Unity Lounge
The Unity Lounge, located on the Third floor of the Davis Center, is committed to building inclusive environments that embrace the diverse and intersecting identities of our community members at UVM.
3) On-campus Resources
Center for Cultural Pluralism
The Center for Cultural Pluralism (CCP) is dedicated to helping UVM achieve its core mission to provide quality multicultural education in order to equip faculty, staff and students with the competencies necessary to function in a diverse world. The Center focuses on the intersections of issues of culture and social justice. CCP is aware of LGBTQA issues and works actively to address them.
Counseling Centers
The Counseling Centers are committed to providing LGBTQ-sensitive counseling and actively work to educate themselves in LGBT-related topics. Services are free and confidential. LGBTQA Services can offer additional resources and guidance.
Gender Neutral Restrooms
There are over 40 gender neutral restrooms on campus, not including those in resident halls.
Housing
Residential Life provides several housing options for LGBTQA students who are looking for safer space and/or LGBT community in the Res Halls.
SPECTRUM is a program offered at the UVM Living/Learning Center. Their mission is for participants to educate themselves and others about the multiplicities of sexual orientation, the possibilities of gender, and the ever-changing queer identities present on our campus, in our state, our country, and the world at large. The SPECTRUM program includes safe-space housing for students who identify with any sexual or gender identity, including but not limited to heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, transsexual, intersex, queer, questioning, or allies of this community. Contact: Windy Paz-Amor.
The Rainbow Cottages
The Cottages on North Campus consist of two small cottage style buildings, each with five single rooms, off street parking, a full shared kitchen, shared laundry facilities available in a separate building, and common living space. It is intended as a comfortable housing alternative for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning students and their allies.
While there is no formal programming obligation for students living in the Cottages, all students residing there and their visitors are expected to be respectful of and sensitive to all of the identity groups included within the LGBTQA community.
If you are a transgender or transsexual student who has specific access needs to live in a residence hall, please contact Stacey Miller, the Director of Residential Life, at stacey.miller@uvm.edu or 656-3434. Residential Life has identified several trans-friendly housing options that include single-user, gender neutral restroom and shower facilities.
For LGBTQA students who have specific concerns, contact Residential Life Director Stacey Miller at 656-3434 or stacey.miller@uvm.edu. If you're a transsexual, transgender, or gender-variant student looking for trans-accessible housing on-campus, read more here.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Ally (LGBTQA) Services
Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender, Questioning, & Ally Services (LGBTQA) helps UVM be a vital, inclusive place for LGBTQA students, faculty, and staff of all races, classes, ethnicities, genders, abilities, religions, gender identities, and sexual orientations through advocacy, outreach, and community building. LGBTQA hosts numerous events and manages several listservs. The lending library and drop-in center are located on the second floor. LGBTQA Services is one of four programs in the Diversity & Equity Unit, which includes the ALANA Student Center, the Office
of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity, and the Women's Center. Located at 461 Main St. in the Allen House, LGBTQA Sevices features the David Bohnsett CyberCenter, complete with eight internet-ready computers and free printing. Contact: LGBTQA Services, (802) 656-8637,
or e-mail lgbtqa@uvm.edu.
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington
Burlington's LGBTQA open and affirming UU congregation. 862-5630.
Maitri Health Care for Women
A group of female health care providers (four doctors and a certified nurse midwife). 185 Tilley Drive, South Burlington. 862-7338
Outright Vermont
Vermont's queer youth organization, located in Burlington. 865-9677.
PRIDE Vermont
The folks who organize Burlington's annual LGBT Pride celebration in July. pridevermont@pridevermont.org.
R.U.1.2.? Queer Community Center
Burlington's LGBTQ community center. 860-7812. 34 Elmwood Avenue, Burlington.
SafeSpace
Provides support for LGBTQQ survivors of violence, located in Burlington. 863-0003.
Samara Foundation
A charitable non-profit organization.860-6236
The Hicks Foundation
Supports HPV education, testing and vaccination.
Vermont CARES
HIV prevention, education, services, and support. 863-2437. 361 Pearl Street, Burlington.
Vermont Women's Choice
Women's comprehensive health care facility. 23 Mansfield Avenue, Burlington. 863-9001
Sexuality
and Gender Identity Studies (SAGIS)
Sagis is a full-fledged minor housed in the Women's and Gender Studies Program. SAGIS offers an opportunity for structured study of sexuality and gender identity in cultural contexts and creates an intellectual framework to help students build connections among courses on LGBT issues in various disciplines.
Events for LGBTQA students, staff and faculty happen throughout the year at
UVM. In September, LGBTQA Services hosts a Welcome Back Barbeque. October features a variety of events and speakers
for National
Coming Out Week (NCOW). Many events occur in April (LGBTQApril), including movies, comedians, and discussion groups. At the end of the year, the Rainbow
Awards and Graduation Ceremony recognizes and honors LGBTQA students, faculty,
and staff. Additionally, the student club Free
To Be organizes many events, including the popular one-day Translating
Identities Conference, exploring transgender issues and experiences.
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Last modified August 11 2009 03:37 PM
