Presented By: M. Fox, Jr., J.

Collins &
J. Thompson
*Ally *Coming Out
Gay Gender Identity
Gender Normative *Safe Space
Gender Oppression Cisgender
Heterosexual Privilege Homophobia
Homosexual In The Closet
*Institutional Oppression *Internalized Oppression
*LGBTQI Oppression
Outing Queer
Same Gender Loving *Intersectionality
*Sexual Orientation Sexuality
 Stage 1: Identity Confusion
Who am I?
Am I different?
Stage 2: Identity Comparison
Maybe I am gay.
Im alone.
What are gay people like?
Stage 3: Identity Tolerance
I accept the possibility that I may be gay.
Where are other gay people?
Stage 4: Identity Acceptance
I am gay.
Am I okay?
I can come out to some people.
Stage 5: Identity Pride
I am proud to be gay.
I dont and wont pass for straight!
Stage 6: Identity Synthesis
I am an okay person who happens to be gay.
 Exiting a Heterosexual Identity
Realization of an identity other than what society has deemed
normal.
Developing a Personal LGB Identity Status
The process of coming out to ones self and identifying to one's self as
gay, lesbian, or bisexual.
Developing a LGB Social Identity
The process of sharing a gay, lesbian, or bisexual identity (or coming
out) to friends.
Claiming an Identity as a LGB Offspring
The process of coming out to parents or guardians.
Developing a LGB Intimacy Status
The process of forming intimate relationships with people of the same
sex.
Entering a LGB Community
Coming out in multiple areas of ones life and being active within the
community, including going to events, bars, clubs, organizations, etc.
 Exiting a
Heterosexual
Identity

Entering a
A Personal
LGB
LGB Identity
Community

Coming
Developing a
Out
Developing a
LGB
LGB Social
Intimacy
Identity
Status

Claiming an
Identity as a
LGB
Offspring
 Born December 16, 1984 in Jacksonville, FL
Salient Identities
Effeminate, Black, Gay Male from the South
When did he come out?
Came out the womb gay, but truly proclaimed his sexual identity to some
while in high school and to the world as a freshman in undergrad.
Colleges attended
University of Florida-BA in Economics
University of Wisconsin Madison-Masters in African American Studies
University of Michigan-PhD in American Culture w/a graduate certificate in
LGBTQ Studies.
College experience as a BGM
In undergrad he wanted to join a fraternity, but felt it was homophobic. Felt
alone on campus, but wasnt ashamed. Found power in owning his gayness.
Decided to be the best him wherever he went.
Allies/Support/Resources/Safe Spaces
Didnt feel supported in undergrad. Didnt know about resources as a result of
being a 1st generation college student. Extremely introverted in undergrad. Grad
School at UM felt supportive. UM has been the most supportive space,
representative of love. UM believes in his talents and visions. Came as self
fully and confidently.
 Born December 9, 1993 in Akron, OH
Salient Identities
Black, Gay, Male
Race and Gender are obvious and with time his sexuality is evident.
When did he come out?
At 17 years old, senior in high school
Father did not speak to him for one and a half months and his brother did not speak to
him for three months. His brother did not attend his high school graduation (this still
hurts him very much).
Colleges attended
Ohio State University (Undergrad)-Social Work
University of Michigan (Grad School)-Masters of Social Work w/a focus on Interpersonal
practice with community and social systems and a minor in community organization
College experiences as a BGM
One of a few out Gay Black Men at OSU, felt extremely unsupported. Trotter Multicultural.
Center has been supportive of him while in 1st year of grad school. Most LGBTQ spaces are
very white dominated and full of privilege.
Allies/Support/Resources/Safe Spaces
Allies tend to be people that he is not the closest too. The close ones make him feel like the
token friend, the gay bestie. Allies are people who see him as himself and understand
what he goes through as a gay man, and speak out against homophobia. Does not desire to
be the one to educate folks about being Black and Gay. He would like to see administration
create more spaces for Black Gay Men only.
 Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Programs and
Services
Multicultural Student Programs & Services
Campus Activities Programs
Counseling Services
Clinical Health Services
Womens and Gender Programs and Services
 Access, comfort and trust in providers
Coming out and disclosure
Healing from oppression (queer-phobias)
Coping with stress, anxiety and depression
Surviving suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts
Sexual health concerns
HIV/AIDS
Smoking
Drinking and other drug abuse
Body image
 Spectrum Center Mission
With sexual orientation, gender identity and gender
expression as our framework, the Spectrum Center is
committed to enriching the campus experience and
developing students as individuals and as members of
communities. Our work is accomplished through a
student-centered, intersectional lens.
Spectrum Center Vision
The Spectrum Center envisions an inclusive campus
community free of discrimination in all forms where
social justice inspires community engagement and
equity.
 rXs
A student-run group that seeks to create a safe space wherein people of
color in the Ann Arbor lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and
questioning (LGBTQQ) community can engage one another in open
and honest dialogue about their lived experiences as LGBTQQ people
of color.
Coalition for Queer and Trans People of Color
Mission: To enrich the lives of queer and trans people of color at the
University of Michigan, while pursuing broader community
transformation around issues of social and racial justice.
The Coalition for Queer and Trans People of Color is a group of
students, faculty, and staff all committed to building community
around, and highlighting the lived experiences of queer, trans, and
similarly identified people of color.
LambdaGrads
Provides social, education, activist, and support activities targeting the
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and ally
graduate and professional community (in any academic unit) at UM.
 Findings from current queer Concordia University
student:
LGBTQ student services do not exist.
Concordia looks at each case individually not as a
specific group concern
As long as the queer community is conservative in
their behavior and display of public affection queer
concerns are a non-issue.
Concordia is fair and accepting and makes it easy to be
out
 Arizona State University
LGBTQA Service Office
LGBT Certificate Program
University of Arizona
LGBTQ Affairs
Inclusive events
Safe Zone Education Workshops
Rainbow Family Reception
Multiple Support Groups
Purdue University
Offers safe zone workshops on the regular basis
Michigan State University
First experience program (exclusively) for queer students
LGBT news letter
 https://www.campuspride.org/resources/10-physical-and-
emotional-health-concerns-of-lgbt-students
http://www.bestcolleges.com/features/best-colleges-for-lgbt-
students
http://www.cas.edu/standards
http://www.academia.edu/3312373/Queering_Masculinity_Manh
ood_and_Black_Gay_Men_in_College
http://www.uvm.edu/~dbrauer/edco394/DAugelliModel.pdf
http://multicultural.usf.edu/pdf/safezone/support_identity.pdf
https://spectrumcenter.umich.edu/
Longres, J. (1996). Men of Color: A Context for Service to
Homosexually Active Men. New York: Haworth Press.