Disability and Equity in Education Commons^™

Inclusion Of Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity (Sogi) Cultural Competence In Higher Education Healthcare Programs: A Scoping Review, Kristin Willey, Jennifer K. Fortuna, Jessica Guerra, Amanda Gross, Samantha Turner, Tara Grant, Betsy Williams

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Lack of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) cultural competence in healthcare providers contributes to poor health outcomes in individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more (LGBTQIA+). However, SOGI is often overlooked in healthcare education. Existing research shows educational programs in the nursing, medical, and pharmacy professions are incorporating cultural competence training into the curricula. Few studies have explored how SOGI cultural competence is incorporated into occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), and speech-language pathology (SLP) curricula. Clear guidelines for training on SOGI cultural competence are lacking in these professions. It is …

Watch Your Language! A Foundational Course Exploring Language Of Gender And Sexuality, Raeann Risko

Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies Summer Fellows

How do language and word choice influence the way people think about gender and sexuality? This question is addressed through a syllabus for an entry level college course, which includes suggested readings and activities along with explanations and advice for instructors. This course provides a foundation for understanding the power of language and the impact that the vocabulary used to describe people in relation to their gender and sexuality has. The purpose of the course is to offer an interactive guide for students to consider the many different ways that words may be used or misused, understood or misunderstood. This …

The Importance Of Inclusive Spaces In Social Skills Development: Drawing On The Lgbtq Educational And Disability Studies In Education Frameworks, Aja Mckee, Audri Sandoval Gomez, Kevin Stockbridge

Education Faculty Articles and Research

This manuscript highlights a major finding from a larger study conducted in the United States that used phenomenological interviews with adults with autism who typed to communicate. Participants shared their United States educational experiences before and after learning to type. This finding focused on how disability studies in education and the development of inclusive spaces, such as those designed for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) students, may change the way in which educators support students with autism in developing and sustaining natural and meaningful friendships. Thus, this paper examined the social experiences of one participant who …

Cracks In The Bathroom Stall: A Discourse Analysis On Transgender Bathroom Usage At Garden Spot High School, Kirsten D. Corneilson

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

In recent years, high schools across the country have seen the concern around transgender students using gendered facilities, such as bathrooms and locker rooms, come to the forefront. Often, dissenters raise worries of privacy and of “catering to a minority,” no matter what decision is reached. At Garden Spot High School in New Holland, Pennsylvania, the site of this research, one such concern has led to a district-wide decision to eliminate gendered facilities and move to single-use facilities, in the name of preserving student privacy. Through the examination of historical precedent and discourse analysis, this paper examines how transgender surveillance …

Queer Students’ Perceptions Of Inclusion At Abc Community College: A Phenomenology, Francis Canedo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined the lived experiences of Queer students at ABC Community College. Using phenomenology as its guiding framework, transcribed interviews were analyzed in order to seek the phenomenon of the experience. Examination of the literature suggested that Queer students’ experiences of discrimination could have a negative impact on academic achievement and that inclusive and affirming spaces have the opposite effect.

Further, Queer students search for affirming spaces from their faculty and peers, and the engagement these spaces provide may be good prognosticator academic achievement. When students are provided with inclusive spaces, they may be more likely to come …

Teacher’S Attitudes And Willingness To Refer Sexual Minority Students To Special Education, Diane' Forney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research shows that cultural minority students are over-represented in special education services based on teacher bias and attitudes towards these cultural minority students. A cultural minority that has not been as widely researched is the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ). The purpose of this study is to determine if teacher’s bias and attitude towards LGBTQ students interferes with their ability to make special education referrals for sexual minority students (Hebl, 2000), who are students identified as LGBTQ. For the purpose of this study, a variety of teachers were asked to complete, two qualifying questions, a detailed demographic questionnaire, …

"Misfits" And The Celebration Of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, And Queer (Lgbtq) Youth At A High School In The United States, Nathan N. Taylor

Journal of Research Initiatives

As part of a six-month case study, this article delineated the relationship between homonormativity and the victimization of students in a high school in the United States by investigating the strategies of policing, resistance, and queering. Not only do these strategies reappropriate practices inherent in homonormative practices, these strategies reconfigure practices associated with heteronormativity and homophobia. The undercurrent of this research highlights how schools marginalize identities in some spaces and elevate identities in other spaces, the socio-political readings of that positioning, and what educators can do to promote an inclusive environment for all students.

Public School Teacher Support Of Transgender Students, Phoebe Singletary

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Using qualitative interviews, this study explored public school support of transgender students using questions concerning their knowledge, ideas of what inclusion looks like, level of preparation for teaching transgender students, and openness to learning new information concerning best practices. This study aims to fill gaps in the existing research concerning experiences of transgender public school students, examining teacher support for the sake of helping determine policy steps and education that would best help transgender students looking for inclusive education. Emerging themes included generalized acceptance, fear of teaching outside curriculum, emphasis placed on student needs, and teachers' desires to learn more. …

Got A Story To Share?, Lgbtq Services, Jennifer Iwerks

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Flyer announcing that LGBTQ Services collection of stories about student experiences at the University of Maine.

Identity Politics, State Standards, And On The Ground Realities: A Critical Policy Analysis Of Teaching/Learning Gender/Sexuality In A Virginia Elementary School, Stefanie Hudson

Theses and Dissertations

Even though America has seen an increase in the level of acceptance for people who identify as LGBTQ and/or gender non-conforming, certain aspects within society continue to hinder their rights, especially within public education. Specifically, there are insufficiencies regarding content of and attitudes toward including LGBTQ issues in teaching and leadership training programs. Add to that, the deficits in most Family Life Education (FLE) programs in elementary schools as they lack adequate coverage of developmentally appropriate teaching and learning about gender and sexuality. Taken together, it remains questionable whether the needs of LGBTQ and/or gender non-conforming children can truly be …

Assessing The Needs Of Non-Monosexual Students Related To Campus Lgbt Services, Sidney R. Gardner

Culminating Projects in Higher Education Administration

This research looked at the current campus climate for non-monosexual people and whether or not non-monosexual students felt understood and supported through current LGBTQ programs, services, and resources on their campus. The purpose of this research was to understand how LGBTQ centers/offices/services could best serve non-monosexual student populations. Ten undergraduate, mostly female identified, non-monosexual students at a large research intensive institution in the south participated in this basic qualitative research study. This research showed that non-monosexual students’ needs are not entirely being addressed through current programs, resources, and services on campus. According to this research, students were able to find …

Pre-Service Teacher Candidates’ Knowledge And Attitudes Of Lesbian, Gay, And Bisexual People, Casey M. Halcro

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) mandates teachers to provide equitable access to the core curriculum by maximizing academic achievement for all students, including those who are lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB), (Commission on Teacher Credentialing, 2014). Without the knowledge, support, and acceptance of their teachers, LGB youth will experience multiple challenges during their K-12 educational careers. Scholarly literature reveals that the understanding and abilities of pre-service teachers to create safe spaces for LGB youth needs to be developed if pre-service teachers are eventually to become allies for LGB youth (Kearns, Mitton-Kukner, & Tompkins, 2014). Pre-service teacher education bears …

Transgender Awareness Leader Speaks At Umaine, Eric Berard

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Wayne M. Maines, director of Safety and Environmental Management at UMaine and father of a transgender child, talks about the struggles faced by the family.

Transgender Guidelines Stir Controversy, Dylan Riley

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

A draft of guidelines from the Maine Human Rights Commission that would inform schools and colleges of the rights of transgender students in Maine has sparked some debate about possible unintended consequences the guidelines could have on University of Maine athletics.

We’Re Coming Out! – “Home” And “Away” Identities In The Field Of International Education: An Emotional Construction And Negotiation Of The Self, Paul St. John Frisoli

Master's Capstone Projects

Once upon a time, there was a young man from the country of Federation. In this era of postmodernism, Paul St. John Frisoli held fragmented and multiple identities that were at times complimentary and contradictory. He believed that whether he was angry, happy, frustrated, or satisfied that emotions offered clues to these identities. One day, Paul left for the islands of Banga Sharini where he worked on the WEZAP radio project that was funded by the Federation Agency for International Development (FAID). During his stay, he developed new Consultant and Foreign Identity selves while leaving his “home” identities of the …

Letter From The President, Robert A. Kennedy

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Letter to the Editor of The Maine Campus from University of Maine President Robert Kennedy congratulating university students for supporting LD 1196, An Act to Extend Civil Rights Protections to All People Regardless of Sexual Orientation.

Meeting Discusses Issues Surrounding Red Cross Affiliation, Melanie Morin

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

A General Student Senate resolution passed last April that encourages student organizations not to associate with the American Red Cross because of accusations of gay discrimination which have caused concern over campus blood drives. The controversy stems from a Food and Drug Administration policy originating in 1983. The policy prohibits all men who have ever had sex with any other man since 1977 from donating blood. Since this time, ·technology has reduced the risk of contracting HIV through blood donations to about one unit per two million donations, according to the Red Cross Web site.

Don't Listen To Hartwell, Charlie Brickham

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

In Mike Hartwell's article, "A sex change won't do you good," [The Maine Campus, April 7] Hartwell attempts to establish some unjustified claims. Sexual Reassignment Surgery isn't intended to "alter one's mindset," but to align the appropriate body type with the existing mind.

Having A Change Of Hartwell, Claire Folsom

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

I have recently become aware of an article published in the April 7th issue of The Maine Campus. In it, the author, Mike Hartwell, makes several incorrect assumptions. This is understandable, as he never consulted me prior to writing or publishing the article. Given this, I would like to take a few moments to set the record straight.

Pride Week's Closing Events Push For Campus Diversity, Justin M. Wozniski

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

The Wilde Stein Alliance for Sexual Diversity held an open house for all members of the University of Maine community to socialize with friends and faculty members this past week. The event was held as part of UMaine's Pride Week and was designed to showcase the organization's offerings to the university community.

Glad Director Speaks A Womens' Lunch, Maeghan Naimie

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Pride Week visited the Women's Studies Program's this past week, and brought its own unique spin to the long-running series. In honor of the week's events, Mary Bonauto, director of the Civil Rights Project at Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders GLAD gave a presentation called "The Future of Marriage Equality in New England: Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine." Between thirty and forty people attended the presentation.

A Sex Change Won't Do You Good: Gender Reassignment Surgery Fails To Alter One's Mindset, Mike Hartwell

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

For those of you out of the loop, last month a University of Maine student accepted a Disney scholarship but ran into housing problems when "she" informed them that she was undergoing a sex-change operation. Disney said the student, known as Claire, couldn't room with a male or female in its housing facilities, but gave her the option to pay more money and to live alone. However, she couldn't afford this. In January, a local benefit concert raised over $1,200 for Claire's room and board.

Learn To Respect, Celebrate Differences, Aaron Skilling

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

What is this Pride Week crap about anyhow? Straight people don't have a pride week. I began thinking about this question, but then I remembered, it is OK to be different. That is what makes this world interesting, right? Pride Week is a time when the people of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community band together to celebrate their differences.

Real World' Star Danny Roberts Kicks Off Pride Week, Angela Fiandaca

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Approximately 250 University of Maine students and community members got a taste of what it's like to be "Out in the Real World" Monday night in 101 Neville Hall. As part of the University of Maine's Pride Week. MTV Real World's 2000 New Orleans cast member Danny Roberts spoke a little about his Real World experience and more about what it's like being gay in the military.

A Warm Welcome For Boylan, The Maine Campus

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

It's not often that the word "tolerance" is thought of in conjunction with college students. As accepting as a college campus can be, there still exists a small but vocal group that often sounds out with a collective voice that is louder than the competing voice of reason. It's ironic that an institution harboring so much diversity can be a center for intolerance and the perpetuation of stereotypes of bigotry.

Wilde Stein Speaks To Senate, Samantha White

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

After a few weeks of problems and debates, the University of Maine Student Government has been relatively quiet. They have begun to grow accustom to their new leaders and members.

Audience Crams To See Transgendered Author, Diana Mcelwain

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

It was standing room only at Memorial Union's Bangor Room then transgendered [sic] author Jennifer Finney Boylan came to speak about her experienced and read from her book: "She's Not There." Boylan is no stranger to the University of Maine. She spoke in the same room last year, and has visited Human Sexuality classes.

Pride Week About Acceptance For All, Kyle Webster

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Despite the dreary weather that has plagued the University of Maine this week, students have been seeing rainbows all over campus.

Umaine To Host Regional Student Conference On Glbt Activism, Peter Cook

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

The University of Maine will host hundreds of students from around the area this spring as it welcomes the 6th Annual Northeast Regional Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Student Activist Conference.

State Should Support Equal Marriage, The Maine Campus Editorial Position Board

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Yesterday, we heard both sides of the same-sex marriage debate making their case in Augusta. Those arguments have convened us that marriage equality, as it is proposed in Sen. Dennis Damon's bill, LD 1020, poses no threat to Maine's straight marriages or to its religious faithful.