Sexual Orientation: Diversity Education Resource Guide: Commission on Multicultural Understanding: Indiana University Bloomington

Programs on Race and Sexual Orientation

Presenter:
Bill Shipton
Division of Residential Programs & Services
Office: 801 North Jordan Avenue, Rm. 201
Phone: (812) 855-1764
Email: shiptonw@indiana.edu

Bill Shipton is the Associate Director of Residence Life for Diversity Education. He is also co-chair of both the Racial Incidents Team and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Anti-Harassment Team, and Deputy Chair of the Commission on Multicultural Understanding (COMU.)

The workshop lasts from one to eight hours depending on the needs of the group. It is highly participatory in nature and designed to promote discussion and debate among participants. All workshops are designed along three major themes:

Awareness - What are my attitudes opinions, and FEELINGS about these issues? Where did they originate?

Analysis - What is racism? (homophobia, diversity) How would I know it if I saw it? How can good caring people like you and me commit acts of prejudice and perpetuate oppression unwittingly?

Action - What am I/are we willing to do about it? How will we empower ourselves to make a difference?

What the Bible Says About Homosexuality

Presenter:
J. Peter Burkholder
Professor, Jacobs School of Music
Office: Sycamore 239
Phone: (812) 855-7097
Email: burkhold@indiana.edu

What the Bible Says About Homosexuality is a formal presentation of about 15-25 minutes, followed by a question and answer session. This can be done alone or as part of a group.

Professor Burkholder received his A.B. in Music (1975) from Earlham College and M.A. in Music Composition (1980) and Ph.D. in History and Theory of Music (1983) from the University of Chicago. He taught at the University of Wisconsin before coming to IU in 1988. He is also Adjunct Professor of Comparative Literature and served as Associate Dean of the Faculties in 1995-2000. Professor Burkholder has been involved in gay and lesbian organizations since 1978, most notable Friends (Quakers) for Lesbian and Gay Concerns, for which he was national Co-Clerk (Presiding Officer) from 1990-1994.

Sexual Orientation Discrimination

Presenter:
Barbara E. McKinney, Director
City of Bloomington Human Rights Commission
Author of Bloomington's "Gay Rights" Ordinance
Phone: (812) 349-3429
Email: human.rights@bloomington.in.gov

Presentation Topics:
- Scope and effect of Bloomington's "gay rights" ordinance
- Summary of current laws on sexual orientation and discrimination
- Impact of ADA and HIV/AIDS issues on sexual orientation
- Domestic partnership registration
- Family law issues

This presentation takes approximately one hour and allows plenty of time for questions and answers.

Sexuality: Styles and Stories

Moderator:
Kathryn Brown
Health and Sexuality Educator, Health and Wellness Education
Indiana University Health Center
600 North Jordan
Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: (812) 855-7338
Email: kathbrow@indiana.edu

This 1-2 hour panel presentation represents the contimuum of sexualities and is a cooperative, educational effort between Health and Wellness Education and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Speakers Bureau.

Purpose:
- To learn about and come to understand diversity of lifestyles by dispelling the myths and stereotypes.
- To look at the similarities and differences in people's lives when it comes to sexuality.
- To raise awareness about gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender issues in order to move toward an understanding and acceptance of all people.
- To inform students about campus and community resources relevant to gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender students.

Process:
1. Moderator begins with a brief introduction which includes an overview of the purpose of the presentation, an explanation of the procedures to be followed and other relevant details such as length of the program, handouts, etc.
2. Each panelist will introduce him/herself. Introductions include who they are, what they do (i.e. student, work), where they are from and a few details related to sexuality such as orientation, coming out, family or relationship issues, and why they volunteer.
3. Audience members ask questions which can be directed to the entire panel or to an individual. We attempt to answer all questions, however, if there are still questions remaining at the end of the scheduled time, we may have to conclude without responding to everyone. We also try to give everyone the opportunity to have their questions answered before taking additional questions from others. Panelists have the rights to choose not to answer certain questions.
4. Depending upon the setting and timing, audience members and panelists are invited to talk informally with each other following the end of the formal presentation.
5. The moderator acknowledges to the audience that, for some people, this is a controversial topic and that we do not expect agreement on all topics. We do expect that people are there to learn, expand understanding of human sexuality and perhaps become more accepting of differences. The ultimate goal is to diminish reported and unreported incidents of harassment, both verbal and physical.

Spirituality, Family, and Religious Issues Related to GLBT Concerns

Presenter:
Doug Bauder, Director
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Student Support Services
705 East 7th Street
Phone: (812) 855-4252
Email: dbauder@indiana.edu

Doug Bauder is the Coordinator for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Student Support Services office, as well as an ordained pastor.

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Student Support Services office is a resource center for the entire community, supplying educational resources on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues and offering information, support, and referral for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.

The office provides:
- A welcoming environment for individuals seeking to grow in their understanding of GLBT issues;
- Confidential peer counseling and referral for women and men who are coming out or dealing with matters such as family concerns, relationships, or religious matters;
- A lending library with books, newspapers, periodicals, and videos;
- A resource list of community professionals sensitive to GLBT issues in the areas of health, law, psychology, religion, and other areas.

Different studies indicate that 10-15 percent of the U.S. population self-identifies as gay or lesbian. Yet, gays or lesbians are seven times more likely to be crime victims than the average American. The prejudice and violence that homophobia breeds is alarming. Like most phobias, however, homophobia is based on fear and ignorance. This workshop will address many of the myths and questions about being gay or lesbian, and give participants an opportunity to create strategies to address this issue on their own campus.

Jim Gibson received his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Wilmington College in 1983, and a Master's Degree in Higher Educational Administration from Morehead State University in 1984. Jim has presented on campuses all across the country on topics ranging from leadership styles to male-female relationships to homophobia. Jim is a recipient of the Association of Fraternity Advisors' Distinguished Service Award for creative and innovative programming. A member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, he has been initiated into the national Greek leadership honorary, Order of Omega, and the academic honorary, Golden Key.

Index of Panelists

Pamela W. Freeman, Director
Office of Student Ethics and Anti-Harassment Programs
Associate Dean of Students
705 East 7th Street
Phone: (812) 855-4463
Email: freemanp@indiana.edu

Bill Shipton
Division of Residential Programs & Services
Office: 801 North Jordan Avenue, Rm. 201
Phone: (812) 855-1764
Email: shiptonw@indiana.edu

J. Peter Burkholder
Professor, Jacobs School of Music
Office: Sycamore 239
Phone: (812) 855-7097
Email: burkhold@indiana.edu

Doug Bauder, Director
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Student Support Services
705 East 7th Street
Phone: (812) 855-4252
Email: dbauder@indiana.edu

Diversity Education Resource Guide: Sexual Orientation