The Welcome Project Brochure 2008
The Welcome Project Brochure 2008; “The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.” - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA (JUNE 2009); Andrew Winters Assistant to the Vice President of Student Affairs Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Programs and Services Phone: (401) 874-2894 E-mail: andrew@uri.edu Joseph A Santiago Instructional Program Coordinator E-mail: balanceheart@hotmail.com Jessica Ellis GLBT Center Program Coordinator E-mail: uriglbtjessica@gmail.com Eva Jones Welcome Project Co-Chair E-mail: eva_jones@mail.uri.edu Jameson Cottrell Welcome Project Co-Chair E-mail: jcottrell@mail.uri.edu The URI GLBT Center University of Rhode Island; The GLBT Center, located in Adams Hall, strives to create a welcoming and safe environment for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Prioritizing around dimensions of education, support, and advocacy, the Center works directly with students, faculty, staff, and community members to provide meaningful programs and services.; The University of Rhode Island prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, color, creed, national origin, handicap, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or discrimination against disabled and Vietnam era veterans in the recruitment, admission, or treatment of students; the recruitment, hiring, or treatment of faculty and staff; and the operation of its activities and programs. University of Rhode Island Anti-discrimination Policy; Mission Statement; The Welcome Project seeks to examine and address the climate for LGBTIQQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, and Questioning) people and diversity issues on URI campuses and beyond. Overall, the Welcome Project and its members strive to promote a safe, comfortable, and inclusive environment through dialogue, activism, and other strategies designed to promote a tradition of respect and acceptance for all.; History; The Welcome Project at URI began as a Center project involving faculty, staff and students in response to issues and needs of URI's LGBTIQQ community. In conjunction with programs and activities sponsored by the URI GLBT Center, the Welcome Project has played a significant role in advancing URI to inclusion in The Advocate's Comprehensive Guide to Colleges and Universities with the Best Programs, Services, and Student Organizations for LGBT Students. While substantial progress has been made at URI, the Welcome Project continues to address contemporary concerns of the LGBTIQQ community as part of the broader array of important diversity and multicultural needs.; Discrimination is hurtful to everyone. Oppose all forms of discrimination, including actions that target a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Be thoughtful. Use terminology that is inclusive and respectful of various sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.. Allow people to self identity. Refrain from using hurtful language such as: “fag”, “dyke”, “homo”, and “that’s so gay”. Speak out against this type of language when you hear it. Attend and promote URI GLBT Center programs.; Coming out can be challenging and scary. A network of supportive family, friends and role models can be empowering help to reduce stress and fear. Being open and available can really help . Get involved! Initiate positive discussions about LGBTIQQ issues with friends, colleagues, in class, among teammates, or in your residence hall. Support one another as allies against biphobia, transphobia, homophobia and heterosexism. The LGBTIQQ community is diverse and rich with culture. Seek out and explore this diversity in discussions, projects and programs.; Displaying the Welcome Project Sticker is an active means of support which affirms LGBTIQQ people , families, and friends. It is also a declaration of support and availability for the LGBTIQQ community and its allies. The Triangle serves as a reminder of historic oppression, discrimination, and violence endured by LGBTIQQ people past and present. The Rainbow stands for LGBTIQQ unity, diversity, and pride throughout the world. Rhody Ram is the beloved mascot of URI. Together Rhody, the triangle, and the rainbow symbolize the Welcome Project’s mission to make URI an inclusive, proud, and welcoming community.; PFLAG South Central: www.pflagscri.org GLBT National Help Center: www.glnh.org 1-888-843-4564 Marriage Equality Rhode Island: www.marriageequalityri.org Lifelines Rhode Island: www.lifelinesri.org For more resources, visit: www.uri.edu/glbt/links.html; Joe Santiago
Abstract
The Welcome Project is a diverse group of URI students, faculty, and staff organized to examine and address the climate for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning (GLBT) individuals on the URI campuses and beyond. The purpose of the Welcome Project is to affirm the dignity of all members of the URI community regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity/ expression, as well as to promote a safe, comfortable, and inclusive environment for all. The Welcome Project strives to identify and eliminate various forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, and works toward developing a tradition of visibility and respect for GLBT people within our community.
This is the 2008 digital copy of the brochure and the Ms Publisher file.