Out of the Jar

Re: Queer Activism on NU’s campus

I’m ready to kick up an advocacy storm. It’s about time that we see a few more queer inclusive policies pushed onto the administration’s agenda. After all, Northeastern prides itself on being home to a diverse community, let’s make it safer for everyone. Still, as a queer, trans* activist on campus, I’ve regularly felt like I’m tied up in red tape, and this is by no means consensual.

 Let’s go over some queer resources we already have in place or are coming soon:

• LGBTQA Resource Room through NU Pride (328 Curry)
• Gender-Neutral Housing (Available for Upperclassmen and Freshman)
• Gender-Neutral Bathroom Map
• Preferred Name and Gender Change Form (In progress, link to come soon!)
• “Sexual Orientation” is included in our Equal Opportunity Policy. If you need to report an incident, feel empowered to do so! (“Gender Identity and Expression” will be added to NU’s EOP in 2012 thanks to the passage of the Transgender Equal Rights Bill.)
•  OUT @ NU Speakers Bureau
•  Queer Caucus (NU School of Law Graduate Student Group)
• Matthew Shepard-Morris S. Kay Scholarship Application
• GLBT Studies Research at NU’s Libraries 
• Safe Zone Training for Residential Life (Is this still running?)

 Alright, now let’s go over a few things that we need:

• Trans* inclusive healthcare
• Queer Studies courses (Including dedicated professors to teach them!)
• Private changing and showering facilities at the Marino Center and Squashbusters to protect the privacy of trans* individuals
• Full-time staff and an annual budget for the LGBTQA Resource Room
• Forms that allow students to self-identify gender
• A better distribution of student activity funds for social justice and cultural student groups
• LGBTQA Alumni group
• Lavender or Rainbow graduation
• LGBTQA mentoring program for new students
• Meetings between NU public safety and LGBTQA campus organizations to better understand safety concerns

So what is it going to take to see some more change? Visibility and leadership! Stand in solidarity with the queer community and speak out! With that being said, if you need any help starting a queer activism campaign, please feel free to contact me. I’m always down for some good old-fashioned community/student organizing.

- Dylan