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(03/02/14 11:10pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>A new campus group is trying to alleviate the difficulty international students might experience when coming out because of cultural boundaries. The LGBT International Group at IU is just getting started, and does not have an official name yet. “It’s important to create a space for international students of any concern to enhance the variety of things the international services already provide,” said Doug Bauder, director of IU Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Student Support Services. “LGBT issues in other cultures is getting more publicity today, and we need a safe space to discuss some of these problematic issues.” Isolation is the reason for the group’s formation, Bauder said.He said several international students visiting GLBT SSS felt alienated because they feel they can’t be open about their sexuality in other groups at IU.Saul Blanco, co-leader of the group, said problems still arise even though the United States is a much safer place for students to be open and explore their sexuality.“International students who identify with LGBT issues may come from places where it’s not as nice and open as the U.S. might be,” Blanco said. “When they come here, even though the U.S. is more friendly, they still are struggling with the issues because they were raised in a place where it’s not.” As of right now, the group doesn’t know if it will be a social group, support group or something else. Blanco said the group will focus on what students say they want and need. Tao Liu, another co-leader of the group, said she wants to see the group form into a community. “I want to create a safe, supportive community for international students who identify as LGBTQ or are allies, so we can have a safe environment without being judged,” she said. She said the group hopes to make students more understanding and accepting of each other.“I hope this group makes the campus diverse in terms of not just different groups of people being here, but facilitating interaction between different groups of people,” Liu said. “I want everyone to feel comfortable to be who they are and feel safe here, but especially LGBT international students.”The group will meet 5 to 7 p.m. March 28. The location of the meeting is yet to be announced.All students, international or not, are welcome to attend. Blanco said confidentiality is a high priority. Liu said she hopes people aren’t afraid to attend the group, but realizes it’s not always easy to cross culture boundaries.“In a lot of cultures, there’s a strong orientation of homophobia,” Liu said. “A lot of times that’s due to unfamiliarity with LGBT. I want people to have an open mind and get to know these people. Don’t be afraid.”
(02/28/14 4:29am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>In the spirit of sustainability, students dined with glass plates and goblets and composted their leftovers at the Second Annual Student Sustainability Summit. The event took place Thursday night at Union Street Auditorium and was sponsored by the IU Office of Sustainability and the Student Sustainability Council.“The event is to, one, bring students together who are working on sustainability issues in different realms on campus,” said Sarah Baulac, education and research intern at the Office of Sustainability and first year graduate student. “And, second, we want to show our faculty and staff counterparts how much support there is from students for sustainability initiatives.” Baulac said these are issues she said she deeply cares about. “I think sustainability is anchored in what people do and how we treat each other,” Baulac said. “I think it’s in everyone’s best interest and for our future to talk about sustainability.” Compared to past summits, this one was considered especially pressing because of the Provost’s new Campus Strategic Plan, Baulac said. “As we’re moving into a new year with a new Strategic Plan this is our time to show how important sustainability is,” Baulac said. “This is our chance to shape the future of campus as it relates to sustainability.” The event included guest speakers Jeff White, professor of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs; Michael Hamburger, the co-chair of the campus sustainability advisory board; and Bill Brown, the director of sustainability. White announced a new degree in environmental and sustainability studies that was just approved by the Commission of Higher Education Wednesday. This degree will allow for middle ground between the two degrees in environmental affairs that already exist, a B.S. in environmental science and a B.S. in environmental affairs, he said. The first is more science based, while the second is more management based. The new degree will focus more on the combination of arts, humanities and science of sustainability, White said. After the speakers, students broke out into small roundtable discussions to discuss sustainability issues of all sorts with those on campus currently who are working on them. The break out topics included energy and the environment, computing sustainability, environmental quality and land use, food, resource use and recycling and transportation. Groups discussed work in progress and what students wanted done in the future.“It’s such a wonderful event because students learn about campus and we learn about what students care about,” Brown said. With the Office of Sustainability’s five-year anniversary coming up this Saturday, Baulac said she has big hopes for the future. “I’d like to see sustainability happen in more degree programs,” Baulac said. “I think its important students incorporate sustainability into their education and it would be great for it to be as common as English or writing.”
(02/27/14 4:58am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>With every birthday, men who plan to be fathers put their unborn child at a higher risk of serious psychiatric and developmental disorders.In a new study, IU researchers discovered babies born to older fathers are more prone to psychiatric and academic problems than previously thought. “We were predicting very serious problems like autism, ADHD, suicide and schizophrenia with these better research designs,” said Brian D’Onofrio, lead author of the study and professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at IU. “The findings were much higher than we expected.” The sample set of data was large, coming from every one of the 2.6 million people born in Sweden from 1973 until 2001.That’s the largest to date for this area of study, D’Onofrio said. From this sample, researchers saw that when a child born to a 24-year-old father was compared to a child born to a 45-year-old father, the latter turned out 3.5 times more likely to have autism, 13 times more likely to have ADHD, two times more likely to have a psychotic disorder, 25 times more likely to have bipolar disorder and 2.5 times more likely to have suicidal behavior or a substance abuse problem.Scandinavian countries such as Sweden don’t have as many policies regarding privacy when it comes to health records as the U.S., the Department Chair of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Bill Hetrick, said. This enabled so many people to be included in the sample, which never would have been allowed with U.S. health privacy policy, Hetrick said.“It demonstrates what can be done with linked electronic medical and health records with educational documents,” Hetrick said. “Scandinavian records prove important to answer these questions. The methodology they use to make records available to analyze is of tremendous value to society.”This study is the most comprehensive study to date on the effects of paternal aging on childbearing, according to an IU Newsroom press release. Unlike any other study regarding paternal aging on childbirth, this is the first one to compare siblings and cousins, D’Onofrio said.This allowed researchers to focus on the biological concerns more than environmental concerns of childbearing age.“We know men who have children at a very early age are different than men who have children later on,” D’Onofrio said. “Our ability to compare siblings and cousins whose fathers were different ages gave us a better handle of what are the real concerns of childbearing age.” Studying cousins also helps examine the effects birth order and sibling influence may have had on the study’s results, D’Onofrio said.The researchers also controlled factors such as parent income and education to see if household stability had any effects. But the results were the same despite income and education levels. D’Onofrio said he believes the high rates of psychiatric problems in children born to older parents occur because when sperm replicate, there is a chance for a DNA mutation. Also, as men age, they are exposed to more environmental toxins, which can cause mutations in sperm, he said.“There are more genetic mutations in sperm of older men,” D’Onofrio said.When it comes to the effects of parental age on childbirth, paternal aging is a new hot topic for researchers D’Onofrio said. He said he equates this to trends of waiting to have children.“Historically there has been an increase in the average age of men and women having children,” D’Onofrio said. “In fact, in most recent recession, more people waited to have children.”Research like this shines light on the negative consequences of waiting to have children, and D’Onofrio said he hopes it helps people make more informed choices. “This research should help inform couples and society at large to consider both the pros and cons of delaying childbearing,” he said.D’Onofrio said he admits the study needs to be replicated and needs more advanced research designs to better estimate paternal age factors in child bearing. More genetic research and research on possible environmental associations need to be looked into as well, D’Onofrio said. D’Onofrio said he finds many people interested in the issue because the wide scope of people it affects. “Mental health problems affect all of us,” D’Onofrio said. “Whether ourselves, our family, or close friends it’s an important topic for the general public to know about.”Finally, though paternal aging does pose risks for children developing psychiatric problems, D’Onofrio said he doesn’t want people thinking this happens every time men of older age have children.“It’s an important public health questions, but I must stress not all children born to older men have psychiatric problems,” D’Onofrio said.
(02/26/14 5:05am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Time is running out for students wanting to sign up for Talgit-Birthright Israel: Hillel Trip. Registration is expected to close in a matter of days, and a record-breaking number of students have already signed up.This makes IU Hillel the top recruiter for Talgit-Birthright Israel in the nation so far, trip organizer Ally Turkheimer said.“I’ve never had so many applicants before,” Turkheimer said. “It’s beautiful and amazing and brings me so much happiness.”So far this session, 127 applicants have applied for the trips either this summer or later. The summer trip will take place at the end of May, but the official dates haven’t been released. Turkheimer said she believes a possible reason for the spike in interest is due to the change in eligibility made by Talgit-Birthright Israel. Previously, the trip was open only to those who had never been to Israel before. Talgit-Birthright Israel changed this in January.Now the trips are open to Jewish students who haven’t been to Israel since their 18th birthday. Students who have ever visited Israel for more than three months since age 12 are still not eligible. “From what I understand, the reason they open up the trips is to allow students to experience Israel again as adults and connect back to their Judaism,” Turkheimer said. Turkheimer said IU Hillel probably won’t know when registration will end until 24 hours before, if they’re lucky.“It closes because you can’t have people keep applying,” Turkheimer said. “We need time to readjust the market and rebrand. There are always going to be people who are interested in signing up.” IU Hillel is the only provider on campus that allows students to schedule their trip anytime within the next two years, Turkheimer said. Rabbi Sue Shifron of Hillel said she believes it will be the best experience of their lives.She said the record numbers signing up for the trips are a testament to the religion’s presence at the University.“It shows what a strong Jewish community we have here on campus,” Shifron said. Shifron also said she hopes students will sign up even if they aren’t connected to IU Hillel. “Even if you don’t know anybody, it’s a great opportunity to make friends from this school that you can come back with,” Shifron said. Freshman Jackie Gallagher signed up for the trip last semester and said she’s hoping she gets into this May’s trip to Israel. “Even though it’s only a 10-day trip, we really will get to see all the important things,” Gallagher said. “The fact I get to go with a bunch of friends and people from school makes it great, too.” Not only is it a chance to travel for free and be with friends, but it also has deeper meaning for students, she said. “I think it’s important for Jews to visit Israel because it’s the homeland where so much culture and history is,” Gallagher said. “As you get older, you may start away from what your parents taught you and what you did religiously at home. This helps you get reconnected and stay on the Judaism path.” To learn more about the trips and registration, Turkheimer said she encourages students to either call or visit Hillel. Students wanting to sign up for the Talgit-Birthright Israel: Hillel-Indiana University trip should visit freeisraeltrip.org.“It’s going to be an amazing experience,” Gallagher said. “Everyone should try to do it if they can.” Follow reporter Suzanne Grossman on Twitter @suzannepaige6.
(02/24/14 4:46am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Vickie Casanova drove from Chicago, as she does almost every year, to dance with her former professor and learn from prolific African diaspora dance masters.“Here in Bloomington there is such a rich experience provided through the academia,” Casanova, an IU alumna, said. “... It’s a pleasure to be at my alma mater.” Casanova was one of about 70 people who attended IU’s African American Dance Company’s 16th Annual Dance Workshop Friday and Saturday. The annual workshop takes place in the Neal-Marshall Black Cultural Center and consists of 12 dance workshops taught by master artists. A dance showcase caps the event.Casanova said she believes actually doing the traditional dances and learning from artists in the field is much more beneficial than just studying the history of the art form.“My personal experience is that when you’re studying anything to learn about it that’s one thing, but its another thing to do it,” Casanova said. Iris Rosa, IU professor of African American and African Diaspora studies, created the workshops 16 years ago and still directs the events today. “I wanted to expose the students in the dance company at IU and surrounding communities to dance from the African diaspora,” Rosa said. “I wanted to expose them to a broader range of dance traditions and to know there are other black artists who can teach dance traditions.” The importance of preservation arose as a theme from this weekend’s dance workshops and panel discussion, Rosa and Casanova both said.Rosa said she remembers a student asking the panelists if it’s the dancers’ responsibility to preserve the traditions of African diaspora dance forms, and how to do so.“I think it’s important to keep exposing students to this type of tradition, because preservation is very important,” Rosa said. “And how do you preserve a tradition if you don’t know the tradition, even from your own heritage?”This year, the workshop brought in master artists from Virginia, Jamaica and Cuba to teach dance traditions such as Gaga, the Cuban Rumba and West Indian, as well as other forms. The master artists have worked in professional dance for several years, and all have had director positions within their chosen styles. Most have also performed and taught internationally and earned doctoral in their fields, according to the African American Arts Institute’s website. “It’s important for students to see somebody like themselves teach and talk their language, and white students need to see someone not like themselves to get a broader type of experience,” Rosa said. In upcoming years, Rosa said she plans to make the workshops into more of a conference event. She said she would like to bring in more artists and to get more participation to improve exposure of African American and African diaspora dance. “People think there’s no technique in learning African diaspora dance forms, but there is technique in all of it, and it has meaning,” Rosa said. “It’s more than just movement. It’s very important to validate these African diasporic forms just like we validate Euro-centric dance forms.” A fourth-year graduate student in sociology, Shandu Foster started dancing with the company last spring. “It’s a great opportunity to learn from the artists,” Foster said. “It’s very encouraging, and the artists are very up front about what they do and why they do it.”Foster said he appreciated the openness of the artists and the chance to talk with them in a casual setting, not just as instructor to student. “For just as much moving as we do, there were equal parts talking and learning,” Foster said.Foster said he appreciated talking about how the movements they learned had social and political meaning in the society from which they came. “For young people who just like to dance, thinking about preserving tradition forces us to keep in our minds that dancing is more than just movement,” Foster said. The weekend concluded with a showcase of the dances participants learned in the workshops.Foster said he felt exhilarated and surprised because the house was completely full. Rosa also said the event was a highlight of the workshop, because she loves seeing students engage in a dance form they’ve never experienced. “It’s my responsibility to expose students and the larger community to dance so the differences can be appreciated, recognized and validated,” Rosa said. “It makes for a better, well-rounded dancer, but it also makes for a better, well-rounded citizen.”The African American Dance Company’s 40th Spring Concert Celebration will be held at 8 p.m., April 12, at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Tickets will be $20 for adults and $10 for students and children. Follow reporter Suzanne Grossman on Twitter @suzannepaige6.
(02/19/14 5:30am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Peace Corps ranked IU in its Top 25 Colleges list for volunteers with 35 alumni volunteers from 2013, putting IU in 25th place. The last time IU appeared on the list was during the 2011-12 year. Since the Peace Corps agency was created in 1961, 1,603 IU graduates have served. “I hope IU can grow more and larger,” Damon Smith, President of the IU Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Group, said. “It’s great we’re back in the Top 25, but being 25th is not where IU wants to be.” Jessica Mayle, public affairs coordinator for the Midwest Peace Corps, said they create the list to recognize schools who foster a belief in community service. “We hope the list encourages more students to apply,” Mayle said. “It creates a culture of service on campus and helps students identify with alumni who have served.” The new IU recruiter, Laura Fonseca, is one of the reasons IU has reached the top 25 again, Mayle said.“It’s been great to return to my alma mater and reach out to students that I relate to in many ways,” Fonseca said. “Seeing IU back on the top 25 schools is a great representation of the Hoosier commitment to international outreach.” IU brings the Peace Corps great volunteers, Mayle said.“What we see at IU is an international global perspective,” Mayle said. “It’s a value the school tries to instill as well as to making a difference. That commitment to service and a global perspective makes great Peace Corps applicants.” IU also has special programs to benefit Peace Corps volunteers. The School of Public and Environmental Affairs offers returned Peace Corps volunteers financial aid and academic benefits for their service.One of the programs SPEA offers is called the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program, which offers financial assistance to those who want to continue their community service back at school.SPEA, as well as the School of Education, also offer the Master’s International program, which allows students to earn graduate school credit while volunteering in-country. “All of these programs are fantastic academic opportunities and draw in individuals who have or will serve in the Peace Corps,” Fonseca said. Fonseca is planning a recruitment event on campus for 5 p.m. March 26 at the Career Development Center for any student who is interested in hearing from past volunteers. Smith said he believes the time he spent in Ukraine with the Peace Corps was one of the most valuable things he has ever done and said he still thinks about it every day. Not only did the experience make him more competitive for graduate schools by giving him international experience and skills in language, he said, but it also helped him personally develop. “Most would say they got much more out of their service than they can ever provide to the people they are serving in their country,” Smith said. “It was a big part of my life and the best thing I could have done after college.”
(02/18/14 4:39am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>More than 40 members of the greek system once showed up to Hallie Baumann’s henna workshop to get henna designs of KOK.“Kilroy’s does this thing where if you get KOK tattooed on you, you get free cover charge,” Baumann said. “So they all came and wrote KOK on them with henna. I never heard back if it worked or not, but that was amusing.” Though Baumann said she didn’t want to condone the activity by helping out, one man was doing such a horrible job doing the design that she stepped in to help. “Some came back and attended other sessions,” Baumann said. “That was nice so it got some people actually interested.” Baumann has taught the workshop for the past three years and does henna professionally. Monday’s sleet and rain caused the six to ten RSVP’ed guests to not show up, but Baumann went on with only one student in attendance. The event was hosted at the Asian Cultural Center.“The ACC does this just to get students in here and members of the community, because anyone can come,” Baumann said. “It gets people talking, and it’s always free.” Henna doesn’t just bring people at IU together, but also people in India, Baumann said.“It’s not directly related to a religious practice,” Bauman said. “So it really is a communal thing. It’s used for weddings when the bridesmaids and family do henna on the bride. It’s just to bring people together.” And Baumann welcomes anyone at any skill level to come. She said the more you do Henna, the better you get at working with the medium. By welcoming all skill levels, Baumann has seen many students develop their skills. “There was a group of ten that used to come every week together,” Baumann said.“Only one was actually artsy, but it was great seeing them grow and appreciate the art.” Baumann said she loves puns and used to call the group her henna-prentices, but she said they graduated.“Now I even work with some of those students at outside events,” Baumann said.From this group, Baumann had one student who would only design old ladies with cats.“That’s all she would design,” Baumann said. “But she got really good.”On days when people at her workshop are feeling ambitious, Baumann said she has seen full arm designs and once helped design a full back tattoo of the Pokemon Articuno. Hailey Gibson first came to the workshop in October with her floor from Collins Living-Learning Center.After seeing the how fun henna could be and the benefits of impermanent tattoos, Gibson said she decided to keep coming back. “You see so many students with dumbass tattoos that they won’t want in 30 years,” Gibson said. “With henna you can get something different every week.” Since attending the workshops, Gibson has started to do henna on her own, but still attends to hang out with Baumann and take advantage of the free henna.“This is really nice stuff, and Hallie knows how to make cool designs,” Gibson said. “If you’re trying to start on your own, the designs on Google are either really horrible or really, really complicated.” Sometimes Gibson gets to take home the extra henna, because if it’s not used in a couple of days, it goes bad. “Henna has a very short shelf-life,” Baumann said. “Which is why you know the stuff in stores has added preservatives, which can be dangerous.”The henna used at the workshop is all-natural to ensure safety. Using henna with preservatives can cause rashes or cause someone to develop an allergy to henna. Gibson said she plans to keep doing henna because she said it’s a great social experience, and it’s very relaxing. “It’s easy to pick up and share with people,” Baumann said. “Especially when you live with a bunch of hippies in Collins.” The ACC generally has had trouble getting non-Asian Americans to attend their events, but this hasn’t been so with the henna workshop, Baumann said. “Because it’s often seen at the beach or at festivals it’s not exclusively Indian,” Baumann said. “Henna reaches out so we have lots of different people come.”
(02/12/14 5:06am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Fifteen dancing drag queens and kings wooed a crowd of more than 150 at the Indiana Memorial Union on Tuesday night. It was the night Sigma Phi Beta fraternity presented its second-annual Drag For a Cause philanthropy event. CeeCee Marie won top drag queen, and Ryder Harter was named the top drag king. Last year, funds from the event went toward the Indiana Youth Group, a safe house for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth in Indianapolis.This year, all the proceeds went to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Support Services office, but the event is more than a fundraiser. Its goal is also to promote a better understanding of drag, Sigma Phi Beta philanthropy chair Angel Barraza said.“I think the nature of this sort of art is the underbelly of society,” Barraza said. “People are typically frightened of what they don’t know. We want to show how great drag is as an awesome, all-encompassing form of art.”Barraza said the fraternity said it also wants to educate people of their existence as an LGBT fraternity on campus, particularly their presence within greek society. “Traditionally, greek life is a homophobic place,” Barraza said. “We stand as a queer and allied fraternity as a powerful message that it’s OK to do anything you want to do. Want to wear heels, a clown nose or a wig? You have complete permission to do that.” Sydny Bohuk said the fraternity is needed to help peoples’ lives.“Especially in Indiana, we need to show support for those kids who don’t hear acceptance,” Bohuk said. “By telling our stories, we’re saying, ‘Come join us. We’re your new family and you can come to us.’” Barraza and Bohuk said they felt watching and performing in drag helps them express who they truly are, and helps them keep in touch with their femininity as well as their masculinity. “Drag helps me respect my feminity and fierceness,” Bohuk said. “It lets me go against the way I have to act in society because of heteronormatives. Otherwise I’d be bottled up.” Barraza has never performed in drag, but for the event he wore six-inch heels.“I feel more masculine than I ever have probably in my whole life,” Barraza said. “It has helped me find my own masculinity, and what it means to be a man. Now I’m walking around in the Union at a Big Ten feeling masculine.” The fraternity wants to attract all kinds of people, Barraza said, even those who haven’t experienced drag or don’t believe they will enjoy it.“You’ve never seen anything like it,” Buhok said. “Come to a drag show. We’ll dance for you, we’ll sing for you, come be a drag queen yourself.” President of Sigma Phi Beta and event judge Brendon McGrayel said the chapter also puts on a drag show because it’s popular and helps them raise money for charity.“Drag is an essential part of gay subculture,” McGrayel said, “But a lot of people like it so it gets money for sure. Drag show and the GLBTSSS fit together. It just makes sense.” After all the contestants performed, the winning queen and king from 2013 each performed a final song and dance before the winners of the night’s competition were announced. Only first prizes were awarded. Barraza said he is excited for this event in the future because of its ability to help students find themselves.“Most people never feel fully confident in themselves until they’re 50 or 60, and that’s 50 or 60 years too late,” Barraza said. “The most important thing I’ve learned from this event is that everyone has the inherent permission to be themselves.”
(02/12/14 4:52am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Members of First Nations Educational and Cultural Center crafted leather pouches and ate food during a potluck dinner Tuesday as part of the organization’s goal of giving Native American students a place on campus to connect to their culture. FNECC Director Brian Gilley said the activities reflected what tribes would do in their free time.“Every tribe has some sort of craft tradition,” Gilley said. “In native communities when people are sitting around socializing, they do crafts or sing. It brings them together.” FNECC provided the materials to make the leather pouches, which resembled what Gilley called “strike-a-light bags.” These bags were often used to carry materials to build fires or to carry supplies, he said. When the FNECC started craft nights three years ago, Gilley said they ran into conflict with groups who wanted to exploit them and extract knowledge rather than understand their culture.“They were Indian fetishizers,” he said. “They were settlers trying to demand us and school us about things.” Advancements in the group during the last three years and support from IU Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs James Wimbush have reduced this type of interaction and encouraged more willingness to work together, Gilley said. “Now we’re more established, so we see less stereotyping,” Gilley said. “People are reaching out to us rather than independently doing stuff.” Before, Gilley said he saw dormitory bulletin boards for Native American history month that stereotyped American Indians. These, he said, were inaccurate.Nathan Steininger, co-founder of a community group of Native Americans called Indiana Two Spirit Society, said he thought the biggest problem their community faced was being invisible.“There’s not a lot of awareness, so when people look at me, they don’t see a native person,” Steininger said. “We’re not, but we’re still seen as the vanishing race. People then ask, why would you need a program for this if there aren’t that many?” Steininger expressed the need for groups like FNECC on campus.“These groups help bring us together and bring us a space that feels familiar so students don’t feel isolated,” Steininger said. “Native students deal with a lot of culture shock and homesickness. When they get homesick, they go home.”Native Americans make up only 1 percent of the population, and only 1 percent of that 1 percent goes on to receive any kind of higher education, Steininger said. In order to grow and for their communities to be educated, there needs to be social support for Native Americans on campus. The group also wants to include more diverse perspectives within the Native American community during their events, Gilley said.Next spring, they hope to include information about GLBTQ Native Americans. Lead organizer for Freedom Indiana in Bloomington Hannah Miller attended the event to build relationships with LGBT-affirming communities. “Yes, our main goal is to beat HJR-3, but when the campaign is over, we still want to change the culture in Indiana through relationships,” Miller said.In addition including LGBT diversity in their events, Gilley said he is excited for how these events have already become more diversified. “We’re really a meeting point for all,” Gilley said. “People here are speaking Chinese and caring about our culture and being respectful just as we would be at their culture events. That’s a big deal compared to where we were three years ago.” Follow reporter Suzanne Grossman on Twitter @suzannepaige6.
(02/10/14 4:45am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Piles of food waited for more than a thousand guests as they stood in a line stretching from IU Auditorium’s lobby through the atrium to celebrate the Chinese New Year, China’s biggest annual holiday. The New Year began at midnight Jan. 31, which is usually when the big celebration happens. Many students travel to be with other family and friends in the United States, sophomore Choaman Li said, so the IU Chinese Scholars and Student Association planned the event a week late this year.The New Year, often called the Spring Festival, is a time for Chinese to reunite with family, sophomore Xixi Zhou said. She said people typically watch TV together and eat a lot of food. “We miss our parents,” Zhou said. “Some people don’t miss them, but most of us do.” The IU CSSA did its best to accommodate Chinese students by making the event close to the celebrations students would have taken part in at home.“We have the big shows to make us feel like home,” Li said. “Most students come here to feel like a big family. It’s beautiful.” Several volunteers worked to organize the event. They directed people, served food, sang and danced. Freshman volunteer Anita Ma served food and said she was surprised by the amount of traditional dishes. The volunteers served braised pork cut into cubes in brown sauce, a tomato and scrambled egg dish and a small round pouch made from dumpling dough, colored white and pink and filled with smashed, sweet red beans. Ma said traditionally, people eat this dish because it is believed to bring longevity and good luck for the new year. The color red commonly means good luck, thus the pinkish-red coloring and red beans.Though Zhou said the traditional dishes still tasted like American Chinese food, Ma said she thought differently.“I didn’t expect traditional dishes,” Ma said. “Chinese made it though, so it tasted traditional.”After everyone finished eating, the attendees filed into their seats to watch acts put on by volunteers.Dancer Echo Lu has been dancing at the Spring Festival for the past two years, she said. This will be her last year. She’s going to step down and focus on her studies for senior year, she said. In October 2010 she founded her dance group, D Force, which performed both hip-hop and traditional dance pieces for the event. She said she wanted her last performance to be about love. During their dance, they staged a man proposing to another man. At the end, a lesbian couple joined the group of dancers to form a heart shape. “The theme is about love,” Lu said. “Romantic love, family love, the love you have with your best friends, just all kinds.” Lu said she loves dance and her family of fellow dancers, but she is stepping down so the group can build structure and she can work on getting a job.“It’s dramatic,” Lu said. “I think I’m going to cry after the dance. I’m just so proud of all my dancers. We all became friends because we all love dance.”Chris Bishop, a junior, was one of two emcees for the night who was not of Chinese descent. Although Bishop speaks with a British accent, he emceed in Mandarin Chinese. Bishop started practicing Chinese when he was 16, but soon gave up. Later on, he said, he encountered more and more Chinese-Americans and tried speaking Mandarin again.He said that’s when he fell in love with the culture and language. Two weeks before the show, Bishop received a text message asking if he would help host. He said he felt intimidated because he knew it would be daunting to speak Chinese in front of fluent speakers.“I knew it would be a challenge, but I knew it was something I would need to experience in order to improve my language skills,” Bishop said. Though he made a few mistakes and said he could have made his performance more polished, he was proud at the end of the night. Despite being British among a majority of Asian attendees, Bishop said he didn’t feel like an outsider.“It’s my choice whether or not I have fun,” Bishop said. “When they’re having fun, I’m having fun.”After serving food and enjoying the performances, Ma reflected on the evening.She said she loved the performances and the humor they brought, but missed the encouragement some traditions from home brought for the New Year. “This is not a small event,” Ma said. “Not only Chinese people come. This is a chance to show our long history, and I wish we did more of that.” Follow reporter Suzanne Grossman on Twitter @suzannepaige6.
(02/10/14 3:37am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Researchers from IU and George Mason University have teamed up to finally answer the question of whether or not a connection exists between love and sex.More specifically, they studied what love has to do with sex in regards to gay and bisexual men. Lead researcher Josh Rosenberger said he wanted to go beyond the typical study of diseases related to sex involving two men and study the emotions connected to the sexual acts. “This study taps into elements of sexuality I think are often not asked about or forgotten,” Rosenberger said. “It’s important to think about the roles other components associated with sex, like love, play on individual behavior choices and decisions.”Rosenberger said he hopes this type of research can add a new level of dialogue to current conversations about sexual orientation. “We’re increasingly talking about these people in contexts outside the bedroom and focusing on marriage and adoption,” Rosenberger said. “These studies show love is a universal thing that’s not gendered or based on sexual orientation.” Rosenberger said two findings from the study stood out to him. First was the concept of matching couples. The survey asked respondents if they loved their partner and if their partner loved them. The study found that over 90 percent of respondents gave the same answer for both questions. “I thought there would be more non-congruent answers,” Rosenberger said. “I thought there would be more, ‘Yeah, I like him, but I don’t know if he likes me.’” The second discovery from the study that stood out to Rosenberger suggested it could be possible for people to be in love with more than one person at a time. “The way we talk about love is that it’s one person that you love until you break up or they die,” Rosenberger said. “We were seeing people in a relationship engaging in sexual behavior with someone else and saying that they loved that person.” Rosenberger said the idea of loving multiple people at the same time is taboo, which he said he found odd.“We can say I hate multiple people or I’m angry at multiple people at the same time,” Rosenberger said. “But we don’t do that with romantic love.” To conduct the study, Rosenberger paired with Online Buddies, an online site that matches men who are seeking other men for relationships or friendships. The study was sent out to Online Buddies users to find participants, and the response was overall positive. “Some give feedback like, ‘Wow, people have never asked these questions. It’s refreshing to see them,’” Online Buddies representative David Novak said. “People are very pleased to see we’re doing this as a company.” Novak said Online Buddies wanted to help fill critical research gaps the federal government hasn’t studied. “We as a company don’t benefit financially at all,” Novak said. “One might say we do this as our corporate social responsibility.” Novak said to find the results of this study, people can visit mensnationalsexstudy.com. The team also plans to study other emotional issues related to sex, such as different kinds of love and trust. “It’s not just about two men or women having sex,” Rosenberger said. “It’s about how they feel about each other, which is a very human thing.” Follow reporter Suzanne Grossman on Twitter @suzannepaige6.
(02/07/14 4:49am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Students pulled up chairs in a lounge at Teter Quad to ask anonymous questions about sex to members of Sigma Lambda Gamma, Phi Beta Sigma and Sigma Gamma Inc. Thursday.Sigma Lambda Gamma members organized the discussion in anticipation of Valentine’s Day. “We thought this event would be good in time for Valentine’s Day,” Brandy Tillman, a junior member of Sigma Lambda Gamma, said. “We decided an educational perspective on the issue, and to talk about it anonymously would be good.” Sigma Lambda Gamma hoped to bring a diverse group of student voices to the event, but struggled with cancellations from volunteers. Panelist and IU junior Marselis Byers of Phi Beta Sigma said he really enjoyed the event because he loves talking to people and sex is a fun thing to talk about. “There’s a lot of misinformation in the world and misconceptions,” Byers said. “People getting together and having legitimate, mature discussion is always going to help.” Holly Juaruz, an audience member from the Latino sorority Sigma Gamma Inc., came to show support for her sisters on the panel. However, she said she also came away with a new perspective.“The event showed people standing in different places regarding this topic because of how they grew up, the media, or who they hang out with,” Juaruz said. “People have different beliefs and that’s not wrong.” After debates about what defines a slut, what counts as sex and if it’s OK to have sex with an ex, Byers and Tillman said the most beneficial part of the evening was hearing from the opposite sex.“Hearing opinions of women is always valuable,” Byers said. “I hope they do it again.” Tillman purposely put questions into the anonymous pool to find out what men thought about women in relationships. “I found out a lot about how guys feel about girls and how we have differences on like what they view a ho is,” Tillman said. “It gave me insight on the male perspective so that helped me a lot.” Sigma Lambda Gamma is planning a breast cancer awareness event Friday at the Indiana Memorial Union from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Anyone is welcome to get goodies and make donations. “Sex is becoming more prevalent in our society,” Tillman said. “The more we talk about sex the safer it becomes because people won’t be afraid to ask questions.”Follow reporter Suzanne Grossman on Twitter @suzannepaige6.
(02/05/14 5:24am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Rapid snowfall and campus bus closures didn’t stop more than 100 students and community members from attending Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Finkel’s speech Tuesday evening. Attendees shuffled into Alumni Hall at the Indiana Memorial Union at 7:30 p.m. to listen to Finkel’s war stories, which he reported during the Iraq war in 2007. Tom French, IU journalism professor and Pulitzer Prize winner, introduced Finkel as an old friend who taught him much about the art of reporting.“One of the most important lessons was cultivating quiet when reporting a huge news story,” French said. “That kind of quiet grace has been a hallmark of his work.” French also spoke about enviable intelligence, beautiful writing and worldly empathy French said defines Finkel as “the best of the best.” Finkel spent most of his lecture telling stories from his book “the Good Soldiers,” in which he wrote of soldiers’ experiences on the front lines of the war with a battalion from Fort Riley, Kan. “It’s a piece of journalism, but its not about war,” Finkel said. “It’s a book illuminated by the question — what is it like to be a young man sent into war at such a tragic moment in history?” Finkel said he used this question to drive his reporting and to tell the stories of the young men he met. He told the stories of six soldiers during his lecture. He said they were soldiers who wrestled with the morality of war, whose families experienced insensitivity from President George W. Bush, who silently fought the mental stress of war, who lost limbs and who saw friends die. From the beginning to end of his time in Iraq, Finkel said he saw the soldiers change. “Over time, they began to change. That’s what happens, isn’t it?” Finkel said. “War does what war does and that’s what happens to these guys, and when they went they didn’t know what was going to happen.”One soldier, Nate Showman, attended IU. He saw a fellow soldier die, causing him so much grief he could not tell his superior what had happened. Finkel plans to tell more of Showman’s story during his lecture Thursday, when he will discuss his book “Thank You for Your Service.” The lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. in Alumni Hall. During the question and answer following the lecture, Finkel reflected on whether his book and the stories within accurately depicted the war. He said he has received emails from soldiers in the war confiding that instead of having to talk about the war, they give people Finkel’s book and say it’s an accurate depiction of what they went through.“You hope you do it right,” Finkel said. “When you get enough emails like that enough times, you begin to get confident.”Follow reporter Suzanne Grossman on Twitter @suzannepaige6.
(02/03/14 4:35am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Students gathered around pizza Friday to learn methods that may, someday, help them change the world.The group crammed into a small room at the Asian Culture Center, huddled around a laptop to watch a short documentary about Grace Lee Boggs. The video showed Boggs, an Asian-American activist who fought for change during the civil rights movement, promoting local activism. “It’s important to have a space where we can talk about things that sometimes are a little bit uncomfortable or discussions you wouldn’t necessarily have with friends,” event co-chair Derek DiMatteo said. The author of five books, Boggs wrote her most recent book, “The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century,” at the age of 95. She’s now 98. Fellow co-chair Lisa Kwong said events like Friday’s promote dialogue between different groups of people, which can create a better community. As an Asian-American, Kwong said she believes it helps with forming a sense of identity. “Growing up in Virginia we didn’t have these discussions, so I didn’t know about people like Grace Lee Boggs,” Kwong said. “It’s awesome to talk about these issues and feel safe.”Last semester, many student groups paired up with the ACC to put on these discussions. DiMatteo said this semester, no one has asked to. He said he suspects this may be why fewer students attended Friday’s event. “I was pleased with amount of participation from the group,” DiMatteo said. “Little bit of a disappointment on how many students came, but with so many things happening on campus, it’s hard to get people to attend different events.” Third-year doctoral student Morgane Flahault said she thinks it’s important for students to attend these events, and doesn’t want cultural differences to get in the way of students attending events outside their comfort zones. “I go to ACC events or La Casa and even though I’m not Latino,” Flahault said. “You feel like you don’t belong to the group, but when you go to the events, the people who organize them make you feel like you’re home.” Flahault said she thought the most important thing Boggs promoted was the idea that everyone is a leader. “She tells people to be their own leaders,” Flahault said. “It helps us to feel empowered. We can do things locally that help rather than be overwhelmed by the larger goals.” DiMatteo said Boggs’ point of starting small is what is going to make a difference in our culture.“There’s a sense of complacency and powerlessness,” DiMatteo said. “It’s inspiring that you don’t have to lead a revolution or be a figure like MLK. You can lead a revolution in a smaller way by doing something like a community garden.” DiMatteo said making goals more achievable is less overwhelming for people. A documentary about Boggs’ life and activism will play at 7 p.m. March 28 at IU Cinema.“Boggs points out that we need to think about interracial activism,” Flahault said. “We all feel the same effects of oppression. Racial minorities are built up against each other. We need to smash this discourse.”Follow reporter Suzanne Grossman on Twitter @suzannepaige6.
(01/31/14 4:43am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Alumni Association celebrated progress Thursday night.That’s progress for the GLBT community and its relationship with IU athletics, specifically since IU Coach Curt Miller, an openly gay man, began coaching the women’s basketball team. Chair of the Pride Night event and member of the GLBTAA Cindy Stone said ten years ago, a Christian college played IU and the rival athletes publicly told their stories of previously living sinful gay lives where they slept with other women. “That was 10 years ago, and here we are today throwing a Pride athletic event,” Stone said. “We don’t have those people come here anymore. Things have changed.” Stone and the GLBTAA planned the event for around 70 people, but by starting time, only standing room was left for attendees. As guests shuffled in from the cold, Stone greeted them at the door. She said she hopes the event could be the first of many GLBT events with IU athletics. “We are trying to put a welcome mat on Cook and Assembly Hall,” Stone said. “IU athletics is inclusive of everyone no matter whose hand you hold.” Miller spoke at the event to thank the community for their support of him and his program. He also expressed his hopes for this Pride Night to become a source of inspiration for other Division I Athletics.“You hear about pride nights in professional sports like hockey, but not very often in Division I athletic events.” Miller said. “I hope we’re a trend-setter and get the word out. It’s wonderful to see the momentum here.”Miller spoke about always wanting to do a pride night in his previous job to gain support, but his marketing directors were hesitant to do so, he said.He said the event was personal to him, as he and his partner of almost 19 years are welcome at IU because of the great support from the athletic administration and Athletic Director Fred Glass.“Not everyone would take a chance on me as a new basketball coach,” Miller said to the audience. “Not because of my successes or failures, but because of my personal story. And I can’t thank you all enough.” Senior Andrew Johnson attended the event because he has volunteered for the GLBTAA since his freshman year.“It was nice to see athletics and GLBT overlap,” Johnson said. “You don’t see that often. It’s a good bridge to build.” Since Miller started coaching last season, the team has made huge progress: it started the season off 14-0 and were ranked in the top 25 early on. In his short speech, Athletic Director Fred Glass commended Miller on his hard work with the team.“You can tell in the last year there’s a new approach to the women’s basketball here at Indiana,” Glass said. “It’s building and building to be the best it’s ever been.”Through the team facing injuries and other hardships, the GLBTAA wants to show support for Coach Miller and the team, Stone said.“We are proud of what the team has done this year,” Stone said. “But we say our best days are still to come.”Follow reporter Suzanne Grossman on Twitter @suzannepaige6.
(01/27/14 4:43am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Freedom Indiana’s campus advocacy group at IU organized what freshman and lead campus organizer Morgan Mohr said was the most important phone bank in their history Sunday evening. The project was carried out in preparation for H.J.R. 3 to be heard at the Indiana House of Representatives today. “Previously, we’ve been facing just a small number of legislators on the judiciary committee,” Mohr said. “But tomorrow, every representative will have to decide if certain families deserve certain rights and protections.” Students filled the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Support Services office with the common goal of connecting voters in Indiana to their state representatives. They wanted to emphasize to the representatives the opposition that many share of H.J.R. 3, Mohr said. The upstairs of the GLBTSSS was used for training first-timers. Scripts were passed out and advice on how to handle conversations was given. The entire first floor was packed with student-filled chairs making phone call after phone call, and greeters at the door welcomed newcomers. Bagels and refreshments were offered to everyone, but most volunteers passed, getting right to work. “We know that messages and direct constituent contact to legislators is effective to change legislator’s minds,” Mohr said. “Some legislatures have cited specific phone calls they’ve received because of this phone bank. It’s not the sexiest form of activism, but it sure as hell is effective.” First-time volunteer caller for the phone bank Adrianna Garza said she was happy to be around so many positive people. “Everybody is really happy, which is cool,” Garza said. “It feels like everyone here is a friend.”Mohr said she knows she is making a difference, and said she feels it is critical for her to be involved.“I’m the change I want to see in the state,” Mohr said. “I just wouldn’t feel comfortable standing on the sidelines.” Peter Inman, a volunteer since October, said he fears the effects H.J.R. 3 could have if it passes through the Indiana Congress.“In my opinion, to convince Americans to vote for this amendment, the other side is going to have to dehumanize the other,” Inman said. “LGBT people and kids especially are already targets of bullying. If this is passed, it’ll give more permission to continue this.”The American Psychological Association conducted three separate studies focused on researching Proposition 8, a same-sex marriage ban in California overturned in July 2013, and the effects the campaign had on LGBT people. The research cited 45 percent of individuals under age 18 experienced homophobia, hate speech, threats or violence during the campaign. Inman said this statistic makes him more dedicated to fight with Freedom Indiana. If H.J.R. 3 passes through the House, the group plans to continue their phone bank initiative and campaigning until the elections next fall. In the event that H.J.R. 3 passes today, the group will organize another phone bank Wednesday.Students can contact the GLBTSSS for the exact time of the event after the house votes.Mohr encourages volunteers to come early with cell phones and computers to maximize their effectiveness. The campaign not only works to change the debate surrounding H.J.R. 3, but has also changed the students who have worked on the campaign. “It’s been empowering for me,” volunteer and freshman Maggie Oates said. “The technology and tools of the young people are what’s changing the scene around this issue. We are the future of the state, and it’s important to get involved now.”Follow reporter Suzanne Grossman on Twitter @suzannepaige6.
(01/27/14 4:41am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Standing ovation after standing ovation marked the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Alumni Association kick-off reception Friday. Even though attendance was lower than expected due to weather, the group still had record-breaking attendance. Attendees filled the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center with the sound of cheerful reunions. Prominent faculty members attended the event, including Dean of Students Harold “Pete” Goldsmith, new Maurer School of Law Dean Austen Parrish and Chancellor Emeritus Ken Gros Louis.“The GLBT community is an exceptional part of the IU community,” Goldsmith said. “I wanted to be a part of this and show my support tonight.” The night began with hor d’oeuvres and mingling before the recognition of the GLBTAA’s Distinguished Alumni awards. Two distinguished alumni were recognized for their hard work and service to improve the lives of GLBT community members. The first award went to Kim Davis, a 15-year volunteer at the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Student Support Services office and seven-year member of the GLBTAA board. Davis is also part of the GLBT Speakers Bureau.She said she plans to continue her service by supporting Freedom Indiana in the fight against H.J.R. 3 and by living as a lesbian.“I love to answer questions for people who just don’t know, and honestly to let them see a gay person in real life,” Davis said. “I try to be as out as I can be in the community.” Davis is 63 years old and has been with her partner for 18 years.People need to see that commitment to dispel the myths they have about gay people, she said. Bill Shipman was recognized for his work in diversity. He is founder and chair of the Commission on Multicultural Understanding, and co-chair of three IU incident teams. Shipman told two stories during his acceptance speech that he said serve as inspiration for his activism. He told of hearing Martin Luther King Jr. speak at Grinnell College as an undergraduate, and of a therapist who he said pushed him back into the closet for many years. Both of these experiences drove him to fight for social justice for all, he said.“After that, I wanted to do anything I could to help our students deal with the terror of being gay,” Shipman said. “At the same time, I wanted to continue my work to fight against racism and other forms of oppression.” The evening also celebrated the new University-sanctioned scholarship campaign. GLBTAA president Mike Shumate announced that $629,187 was raised during the past four months. These funds will go to providing scholarships for GLBTAA people, which has provided 28 academic scholarships and 11 emergency scholarships so far.The room erupted in cheers and applause. “We’ve coined the phrase that you’ve all heard,” Shumate said. “Our students don’t have to decide between living their lives openly and honestly and an IU education.”Follow reporter Suzanne Grossman on Twitter @suzannepaige6.
(01/26/14 10:04pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>For the first time in its history, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Alumni Association is financially sound. The GLBTAA met Saturday for its annual board meeting and discussed financial development, membership and their celebration weekend.The organization, established in 1997, is now 1,600 members strong, according to its website. Its mission, the website states, is to improve the quality of life for GLBT students across all eight of IU’s campuses.The GLBTAA announced at the board meeting that it has generated an operating fund of more than $13,500 since its newly-launched, University-sanctioned scholarship campaign. The group also has more than $630,000 in scholarship funds.Mike Shumate, president of GLBTAA, said there’s more to come.“It’s the first time our knees haven’t been knocking,” Shumate said. The group said it expects to receive more donations with rising membership, and may even make a profit from a silent auction it had this weekend at Grazie Italian Eatery. Because of the growth, the group said it is considering being more active with its money. “I think we should consider to bring money from our distribution account and use it to fund more scholarships,” said Deanna Lahre, treasurer-elect and fundraising committee chair.The group also celebrated the 26 new members who joined at the reception the night before.Board member Steve Bretthauer emphasized the importance of social media in membership recruitment.“I know I haven’t been the best at posting on Facebook, but I think it’s a place we need to be more present at,” Bretthauer said. Since the group ended direct mail marketing, Shumate said social media is not just good to use — it’s essential to the group. Rob Decleene, current member and secretary-elect, was appointed to manage all social media for the group. The board approved the new officers for the next two years, beginning July 1, 2014. A unanimous vote elected Bretthauer as president, Tim Lemper as vice president, Decleene as secretary and Lahre as treasurer. The next GLBTAA Board meeting will take place in April at the DeVault Alumni Center. The exact date is yet to be announced, but the meeting will be open to the public. Follow reporter Suzanne Grossman on Twitter @suzannepaige6.
(01/24/14 4:40am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Record crowds are expected by the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Alumni Assoication today through Sunday for their sixth annual Pride celebration and reunion.“We just keep growing and growing every year,” GLBTAA President Mike Shumate said. “Last year the reception was at the Lilly Library, and it was shoulder to shoulder, so this year we’re at Neal Marshall.” After receiving publicity in the Huffington Post and the Chronicle of Higher Education for being the first group to provide university sanctioned scholarships for LGBT students in the nation, GLBTAA said it looks forward to reuniting after a productive year. “This is not a fundraising event,” Shumate said. “It just so happens we announce Friday how much we’ve raised, but the point of the weekend is for faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends to come together and celebrate.” Since the scholarship campaign started in September, the group has raised over $600,000, Shumate said. The most recent numbers will be released Friday.Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Student Support Services Director Doug Bauder said he is pleased with the scholarship campaign, especially the emergency scholarship portion.“Some people come from backgrounds where the people just see the world in a limited way,” Bauder said. “We’ve all heard terrible stories of these people cutting off their kids. This scholarship gives (students) the chance to still pursue their dreams.” The celebration coincides with Bloomington’s PRIDE Film Festival weekend every year in order to bring as many people together as possible. “It’s a great way for the alumni to be that person the students can relate to and have help if they’re going through a rough time,” said Jennifer Gentry, an IU Alumni Association representative.A full list of events is available on the GLBTAA website. “We want anyone to come to any event,” Shumate said. “We want everyone to feel welcome.”Follow reporter Suzanne Grossman on Twitter at @suzannepaige6.
(01/23/14 5:06am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>As Ethan Jackson sat in the waiting room of the IU Health Center, he panicked.About what name he should write on forms and whether he would be treated differently because of what he put down. About what name would be called when the medical professional was ready for him.Jackson, a junior at IU, is a transgender student — one of many who have experienced problems with the IU Health Center. An Indiana Daily Student story printed Oct. 3, 2013, reported Jackson’s struggles with the University’s protocol for name use. Recently, the Health Center has begun to reform its policies regarding transgender patients.As a freshman living in a dorm, Jackson said he had problems on his floor that drove him to seek counseling with Counseling and Psychological Services.But before he could even speak to a therapist, he said he was met with ignorance and what he called accidental harm caused by pronoun misuse by the Health Center’s receptionist. “The person who I scheduled with wouldn’t guarantee that my therapist would use my preferred name over my legal name,” Jackson said. “She didn’t know what was going on with pronouns and kept using female pronouns even after I tried explaining.” This conversation initially caused Jackson pain even though upon visiting the Health Center, he said his therapist handled his gender identity appropriately. For the past two or three years, Doug Bauder, director of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Student Support Services at IU, has been aware of the Health Center’s mistreatment of students who identify as transgender. He said he suspects transgender students have been aware of the problem too, but have been too hurt or scared to address it. “I bet there have been people who’ve known about this for much longer, but were just coming into the know by students making demands and making it clear what the problem is,” Bauder said. The medical professional Jackson saw during his second visit used his legal name and the wrong pronouns because it’s what the medical records listed, Jackson said. “Trans people suffer lots of anxiety going to places where bodies and identities are gawked at,” Jackson said. “I like the option of not having to out myself if I don’t need to.” Now, the Health Center and GBLTSSS are teaming up to create a secure form for patients so preferred names and gender status can be accessible to all employees, administrative or medical.IU Health Center Director Pete Grogg said a news media report prompted action.“Our vendors took too long to help us with preferred names, so we began working with the GLBT office and their transgender committee to find discreet ways of capturing preferred names and gender statuses for our employees to use,” Grogg said. The secure web form will let students enter their preferred name and gender status along with their legal names. When Health Center staff access patient medical records, they will be alerted of preferred names, enabling the staff to use proper names and pronouns. The entire staff also underwent training during winter break to inform workers of correct terminology, about transgender people and how to be aware of health-related issues transgender patients might run into, Grogg said. Jackson attended the training and said he became hopeful after hearing positive comments and questions.Grogg said etiquette education will continue to ensure the best visit for patients. “It’s almost like a cultural shift to get employees and staff aware of these issues,” Grogg said. “It’s going to be an ongoing program for us because we want to continually strive to do a good job.” He said he hopes this can make the Health Center a more welcoming and safe environment for all students, no matter how small of a minority they might be.“As a health care facility, we should be the last place anyone should feel uncomfortable coming to,” Grogg said. With the new form in place, Jackson said he feels more secure visiting the Health Center. He said he knows of at least one visit he will have to make to the Health Center this semester, and he looks forward to seeing how the training and new system will affect his experience. “If anyone asked me about the Health Center, I’d tell them a positive experience,” Jackson said. “I’d let them know how far they’ve come.”Follow reporter Suzanne Grossman on Twitter @suzannepaige6.