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[much_metta]

I second (third?) the motion that the stickers make a huge difference.  In my undergrad department (a social work related field) the stickers were glaringly absent, and this really did reflect a larger attitude of ignorance and exclusion toward non-traditional families, alternate sexual orientations, etc.  Considering the discipline of the department this really was shocking and noticeable, especially contrasted with counseling and psych down the hall, where they were all hugs and rainbows and dancing teddy bears.

Same here.  We actually live in a pretty hostile community, which makes the campus seem better, but only by comparison.  I can count on one hand the number of same-sex couples I've ever seen holding hands on campus, and one of them was my students.  There was a gay-based hate crime here just a few years ago.  Creating any "safe space" can be incredibly important.  I always chuckle when people ask me why I have the sticker on my door--I tell them that the question isn't why I have it on my door, the question is why doesn't everyone else have it on theirs?  Why do we live in an environment where this is necessary?  

BTW, without laws or policies to explicitly prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of sexual orientation, no one is protected.  This isn't just a GBLTQIQA issue.  That means an employer can fire you for being straight just as legally as she can fire you for being gay and you have no legal recourse.  I always love to point that out to people.  It reminds me of the work that Earlham college did adapting Peggy McIntosh's Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack piece to sexual orientation.  I think it's still available on-line somewhere.  Anyway, good luck with the program!

[avaya]

Thanks for keeping us on track Chief. (Interthreaduality alert).

Hee hee - I really like that one!

Seriously, we don't have stickers, but we have numerous gay faculty members and I have numerous openly gay students.  It seems to be a pretty open campus this way.  I believe we have domestic partner benefits as well in terms of health care, etc.

[husqvarna]

Okay, I just looked up DNFTT and maybe I'm being guilty of this, but I think it's worth saying in case beacon1 is really listening.  If not, he's just pixels on the screen and everyone is welcome to ignore any more of his posts...

beacon1, while I may agree with the logic you've just used for other issues, you are making a big mistake here.  Of course people need to learn to shrug things off and get to what's important, but we're talking about real issues of harassment and violence here.  I think many people make the same argument as you on issues of racial discrimination and I truly believe that you mean well... but I think you're seeing the situation through rose-colored glasses.  If it were just a matter of back-and-forth teasing about nothing in particular you may be right.  But alienation over issues of sexuality, gender, ethnicity, culture, etc. is something completely different, and it deserves attention.  This is not some liberal-academic hijacking of the university as an institution, this is a task to which everyone is called, in whatever situation they may find themselves.  

Perhaps I'm being naive (anthroid has said before that I'm sometimes too generous to people)... but I don't think beacon1 is meaning hu's post to be hateful towards anyone... I think hu just misunderstands how serious this issue is, and looks at it like any other "tolerance-run-amok" suggestion.

[kaysixteen]

GBLTQIQA ?

I figure it goes something like this:

gay, bisexual, lesbian, transsexual, questioning, intersexual...

then I got lost...

[prof_mom]

hvernon, just click on the moniker and take a look at the previous posts by beacon1. I predict that you will see a pattern.

LarryC is right. Let us not derail this useful and interesting thread.

I was just waiting to use the Chief line, but I should have resisted the temptation to engage.

[_touchedbyanoodle_]

I wasn't even aware of "stickers." I just printed a "safe zone" poster to put up in my classroom today, while my students watch. I have taught at one college in my community that was openly hostile toward queers. (A "climate study" revealed that over 50% of the study body was uncomfortable sharing a class with a homosexual.) The college where I currently teach doesn't "seem" hostile, but there sure isn't a sense of openness amongst the queers. The U up the street is very queer-friendly, fortunately.

This site offers .pdfs that you can print. I went with the green circle/pink triangle. http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/RG-posters.html

[anthroid]

Okay, I just looked up DNFTT and maybe I'm being guilty of this, but I think it's worth saying in case beacon1 is really listening.  If not, he's just pixels on the screen and everyone is welcome to ignore any more of his posts...

beacon1, while I may agree with the logic you've just used for other issues, you are making a big mistake here.  Of course people need to learn to shrug things off and get to what's important, but we're talking about real issues of harassment and violence here.  I think many people make the same argument as you on issues of racial discrimination and I truly believe that you mean well... but I think you're seeing the situation through rose-colored glasses.  If it were just a matter of back-and-forth teasing about nothing in particular you may be right.  But alienation over issues of sexuality, gender, ethnicity, culture, etc. is something completely different, and it deserves attention.  This is not some liberal-academic hijacking of the university as an institution, this is a task to which everyone is called, in whatever situation they may find themselves.  

Perhaps I'm being naive (anthroid has said before that I'm sometimes too generous to people)... but I don't think beacon1 is meaning hu's post to be hateful towards anyone... I think hu just misunderstands how serious this issue is, and looks at it like any other "tolerance-run-amok" suggestion.

hvernon, I haven't said you're TOO generous to people.  I've said you're far more generous than I am!  I'd suggest, though, that you read this poster's posts and rethink your position.

[neutralname]

Several out faculty members, some very public about it - i.e., they also research on GLBT issues and get interviewed in the press.  We also have health insurance for same-sex domestic partners.  Not many students are out, and there is plenty of homophobia among students.  I've had a few students come out to me -- it feels good to earn their trust. 

We have a few "safe place" stickers on doors -- including mine. 

[onion]

GBLTQIQA ?

I figure it goes something like this:

gay, bisexual, lesbian, transsexual, questioning, intersexual...

then I got lost...

Yes, it's Gay, Bisexual, Lesbian, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Questioning, and Allies.  So, it's basically everyone (including straight people) but those who don't support/don't like anyone listed above.

When I was in college, it was a fight to just get "Bisexual" added to the list. 

[husqvarna]

hvernon, just click on the moniker and take a look at the previous posts by beacon1. I predict that you will see a pattern.

Yes, I'm familiar with beacon1.  I also know many people in real life that make the same sorts of arguments and are good, just misguided folks.  But beacon1 hasn't responded yet so hopefully I haven't unneccessarily stirred something up.  Carry on, all. 

[oldchair]

I always chuckle when people ask me why I have the sticker on my door--I tell them that the question isn't why I have it on my  door, the question is why doesn't everyone else have it on theirs?  Why do we live in an environment where this is necessary? 

As a heterosexual living in the deep south, I am proud to say that the office doors in my department are covered with Safe Zone stickers.  I am also proud to say that the students and faculty involved in groups that represent sexual diversity (I can't remember all the letters, sorry) have been effective on our campus at appealing to the humanity,  charity and decency of others, even those who have been taught intolerance and hatred within a tradition that was once about love.

That said, I don't have a sticker on my door.   If someone asked me to put one on, I would, and I'd be honored to be asked.  But I suspect students would be better served by others who have a greater understanding of what it means to be gay or bisexual.  Beyond not judging, I don't have much to offer.  I don't know what it means to grow up in an evangelical family.  I don't what it is to be rejected for my sexuality.  I could direct students to professionals who could help with the crises and anguish that too often accompany disenfranchisement.  But I don't think the students are looking for a referral.

If no one else put up a sticker, I would, if only to let folks that someone cares and that they're not alone.  Fortunately, Safe Zone stickers are the unofficial wallpaper around here.

Pace

[tenured_cat]

I don't have a sticker, but in the middle of my door is this Al Sharpton quote "The promise of America is that government does not seek to regulate your behavior in the bedroom, but to guarantee your right to provide food in the kitchen." (http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1629908)

Even brand-new students figure out in about 2 minutes that my classrooms, my office, and everywhere in a 100m radius around me is a safe space; those who wish to argue for their privilege to harm others in word or deed because of their victims' sexuality, race, ethnicity, religion, sex/gender, etc. quickly realize that this opens the door to my critique of their in-group - not something they enjoy!

During my jobsearch, I mentioned in my cover letter that both my classroom and office were safe spaces - I wonder how many committees speculated about my sexuality (newsflash: this is personal and none of your &%&% business!) and if there were any who decided "not to pursue my candidacy?"

[anthroid]

I don't have stickers, but I have a reputation as a safe place.  Students who I suspect are gay almost always come out to me within a week or two of meeting me.  It's very flattering, and very wonderful, and quite a treasure.  I always thank them for the gift of their trust.

[oldchair]

During my jobsearch, I mentioned in my cover letter that both my classroom and office were safe spaces - I wonder how many committees speculated about my sexuality (newsflash: this is personal and none of your &%&% business!) and if there were any who decided "not to pursue my candidacy?"

I'm not sure.  Most folks around here, I think, would read "safe space" as something similar to "a student-centered space," or "a discovery space," or something like that.  I don't think we'd make a connection with sexuality.  I'm certain, though, that we'd never decide not to pursue someone's candidacy because of such issues.

[beacon1]

I don't have stickers, but I have a reputation as a safe place.  Students who I suspect are gay almost always come out to me within a week or two of meeting me.  It's very flattering, and very wonderful, and quite a treasure.  I always thank them for the gift of their trust.

I have a hard time reading this stuff without laughing out loud. How does this sound:

I have students that really feel they can trust me, so they tell me that they enjoy oral sex. Its a great joy when someone tells you how much they enjoy ____________...fill in the blank. These revelations are always wonderful and a true treasure!

It sounds silly and tragic all at once. I don't care what people do in their nonacademic time or their private lives. Why does it matter? Now if I were their therapist, this might be different.