LGBTQIA Heritage Month Reception

In honor of LGBTQIA Heritage Month, the Multicultural and International Student Programs Office put on a reception in collaboration with the Pride Network and the LGBTQIA heritage month committee, consisting of students, faculty and staff. 
Jose Rivera, a member of The Pride Network and a senior Spanish and Latin american and Caribbean Studies major, acted as our M.C. and welcomed students, faculty and staff from across the university who came to support the LGBTQIA community. 

Sigma' Cappella, an on campus Acapella group, opened the reception with a few songs, including a beautiful and inspiring rendition of "Love is a 2 way street." The Pride Network followed shortly after with an LGBTQIA trivia that provided the audience with important dates in LGBTQIA history.

Our featured keynote speaker was Micah Jesse, 2009 Hofstra alumnus and Entertainment/Pop Culture Expert. Sharing his key to  success, he encouraged students to expand their network while studying at Hofstra as many of his current  colleagues are former Hofstra students. He also reminded students that "Your network is your networth."

Micah shared his inspiring story of being  discriminated against for who he was in his hometown in Georgia. He later moved to Hofstra where he felt accepted and embraced for who he was. When Micah saw Hofstra's sign "Gay? Fine by Hofstra" he knew it was safe to come out and truly be himself. He encouraged other LGBTQIA students to get involved on campus as well others to serve as allies to support individuals who identify as being part of the LGBTQIA community.  Today, Micah is involved in the WWE Anti-bullying campaign to teach young people that respect and acceptance of difference is not only cool but a key part of a civil society.

Thank you Micah for inspiring us to '"find our passion and we will be successful!" 

Micah Jesse with members of The Pride Network

Be sure to check out other events happening during LGBTQIA heritage month, including one of Hofstra's traditions the Pride Network's Drag Show happening this upcoming Wednesday, October 22, 8-11 p.m. in the Student Center Theater.

Gay? Hofstra is your Ally!

A university like Hofstra is a microcosm of the larger United States culture and society. Being a university, however, puts it in the unique position of being responsible for educating and creating well-rounded citizens who can both excel at their career and be adaptable, socially-conscious people. The problems of the greater US are also experienced to varying degrees at Hofstra. One problem in particular is homophobia. The violent crimes rate against people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ) is on the rise. According to Herek, over 90% of LGBTQ individuals report experiencing some form of harassment based on their identity. It is important to remember that harassment, violence, and even small gestures of non-acceptance toward LGBTQ people (e.g., comments like “That’s so gay!”) are not random and isolated events. It is a larger sign of a homophobic thread that remains stubbornly weaved into the multicultural tapestry that is the United States of America. To change the world, they say you have to start at home. Here at Hofstra, which we hope is your home away from home, we believe we can begin plucking out the threads of homophobia.

To the LGBT community, the Division of Student Affairs at Hofstra recognizes that it may be difficult for you to feel safe and accepted in a society in which homophobia is still such an issue. We are committed to creating, at Hofstra, a truly cosmopolitan community that is defined by acceptance and support of all cultural differences, including sexual and gender identity.

A recent article on HealthyPlace.com entitled “Gay Discrimination and Stigma and How to Cope” helps LGBTQ individuals, as well as concerned allies, recognize homophobic behavior in the world around them and identify prejudice thinking. The Division of Student Affairs has created programming and services to counteract stigma and discrimination and help LGBTQ students cope. Some of the recommendations Healthyplace.com suggests are:
• Share your experiences: find a safe space such as a gay support group where you can share your experiences with others
• Join an advocacy group: a group that actively fights gay stigma and discrimination
• Find the right people: surround yourself by loved ones who support you and those that may be going through similar situations themselves.

The Pride Network at Hofstra is a safe place to share your experiences, find support, and advocate against homophobia. The Multicultural & International Student Programs Office (MISPO) is in the process of creating a Safe Space project to educate allies to create a community of acceptance on campus. The stigma and discrimination of homophobia creates unique anxiety to individuals who wish to come out and identify as LGBTQ.  The MISPO and Student Counseling Services will be providing a support workshop to help in this delicate process. Visit MISPO or Pride Network’s on Facebook for updates on these important upcoming programs. Join other allies in this cause; you are invited to attend the annual LGBTQ History Month Reception, Wednesday October 2nd in Multipurpose Room East from 11:15 to 12:45.

Creating educated, adaptable, and socially conscious citizens is a primary purpose of higher education. In working toward that goal, instilling a passion for social justice and equal consideration for all people regardless of sexual, gender, or any other form of identity is an important piece in creating a more compassionate society overall.

Guest Blogger: 

Jason Schaefer Graduate Student Assistant for LGBTQ Programs at MISPO

Mental Health Counseling Graduate Student

Do you know your Gay Point Average?

Last night many students (including almost 100 Fraternity and Sorority members pictured here are members of Phi Sigma Sigma sorority) came to hear Shane L. Windmeyer speak about LGBT issues on college campuses. Six straight students from the crowd were given the opportunity to answer questions to find out what their "Gay Point Average" was. The crowd learned a lot including one question that no one on stage got right about the scale that describes sexuality from 0 - 6 (0 being exclusively heterosexual and 6 being exclusively homosexual) which was......The Kinsey Scale and a question that almost everyone answered with 100% accuracy - what are the colors of the Gay Flag which is (ROYGBV)! It was a great turn out and I think everyone in the crowd learned something (I know I did) about the LGBT community and how as straight members of the community we can be a better ally!
LGBTQ History Month kicked off on the 28th of September with a keynote by Faisal Alam and will continue through the end of October. I hope to see you OUT at many more events this month. And as Shane said last night "Just because you have the right to do something doesn't mean it's the right thing to do!"