ISU Alliance Blog

Campus Pride Issues Warning regarding the Princeton Review’s Top 20 “Gay Community Accepted” College Ranking

National nonprofit organization states that the educational preparatory company's college ranking is "erroneous & potentially misleading, harmful to LGBT youth & families"
(CHARLOTTE, NC, Thursday, August 13, 2009) -- Campus Pride issues a warning regarding the Top 20 “Gay Community Accepted” and “Alternative Lifestyle Not an Alternative” rankings in the 2010 edition of the Princeton Review’s annual college guide The Best 371 Colleges (Random House/Princeton Review, $22.99). The national nonprofit organization believes that not only is the use of “alternative lifestyle” problematic when referring to the lives of LGBT people, but the methodology Princeton Review used to garner their findings is too simplistic and could potentially lead to harmful, unsafe choices for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) students looking for acceptance and support during college.

The criteria that Princeton Review used to determine the best LGBT “acceptance” at colleges was not based on significant LGBT student opinions or research related to inclusive LGBT policies, programs or practices as one might expect. Their rankings were based off one single question asked to 122,000 students at the 371 top colleges -- whether they agreed or disagreed with the following statement: “Students, faculty, and administrators treat all persons equally regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.”

“This list is an erroneous, misleading indicator of acceptance for LGBT youth and their safety on campus,” said Shane Windmeyer, founder and executive director of Campus Pride and the author of The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students, the first-ever guide profiling the 100 Best LGBT-Friendly Colleges, released in 2006 by Alyson Books. “The majority of students responding to such a question – irrespective of response – will be straight. Their perceptions of equality are likely quite different from those of LGBT students.”

While Princeton Review— a widely trusted company—believes that their rankings are created to help parents and students determine which school is right for them, Campus Pride believes that parents who are truly concerned for their children’s safety and well-being will be misled by these particular findings. Campus Pride strongly believes that given the rise in violence and harassment among LGBT students, there are serious issues to consider when looking for the right college.

Another reason for concern is the dated use of the words ‘alternative lifestyle’ when referring to the lives of LGBT people. “It’s disrespectful and out of touch because it alludes that being gay is a choice and something that can be cured,” Windmeyer said. “The insensitivity to language is a major warning sign that this guide does not have the nuanced perspective to be a trusted resource and to truly understand the complexity of LGBT students’ lives and needs.”

Campus Pride believes that LGBT students deserve better. “Today more and more LBGT high school youth are making life decisions on the college that not only best fits their academic needs, but also a college where they can live and learn openly in a safe and welcoming environment,” says Windmeyer. “If students and families do decide to use the Princeton Review as a resource, I would encourage them to compare its rankings for LGBT schools with those available from the Campus Climate Index (http://www.campusclimateindex.org) – plus, it’s free.”

The Campus Climate Index, developed by Campus Pride in 2007, is an online educational research tool for LGBT students and their families with over 200+ colleges and universities with inclusive LGBT policies, programs and practices. In 2010, Campus Pride’s National LGBT College Climate Survey (http://www.campuspride.org/research) will share the attitudes and perceptions of LGBT students, faculty and staff in a report titled “The State of Higher Education for LGBT People.”

For more information on Campus Pride, please visit www.campuspride.org.

Congratulations are in order for the following LGBTA Alliance cabinet members for recieving honors and recognition during the Lav Grad & Small Victories ceremony.

• Leah, our out-going Secretary was honored with the Academic Execellence Award.
• Marisol, our out-going Logistics Chair was honored with the Community Development Award.
• Kelly, our Vice President won the Emerging Leader Award and the Walter J. Allen & Shaun B. Keister Scholarship.
• Callen, our President was named Student of the Year (Undergradute), and also the recipient of Scott Rohlf Presidential Leadership Initiative Award and scholarship.

Congrats!

Also, we are pleased to announce the LGBTAA cabinet for the fall 2009- spring 2010 school year.

Historians: Curt P. & Amy B.
Logistics: Kay W.
PR/Advertising: Mike A.
Fundraising: Holland D.
Treasurer: Anna H.
Secretary: Stephanie I.
Vice President: Kelly M.
President: Callen U.

Good luck!

Have a great summer. Don't forget to add us on Twitter, and Facebook.

It is a historic day not only for the lgbt community but for all Iowans. This is not a small victory, but a monumental one.

Marriage legitimizes the love and commitment of couples, same-sex or otherwise. Legally recognized marriage gives couples over a thousand rights that would otherwise not be available to them, not to mention the social equity that the word marriage gives.

As we rejoice, let us not forget those who had fought for our equality and our rights. Even in the face of adversity, we continued to live our lives with dignity and hope that someday the future would be brighter and that our goal for equality would be realized. Today, it did.

I am lucky to be alive and witness this joyous occasion. No longer will we doubt the legitimacy of our existence and the validity of our relationships.

The ISU LGBTA Alliance will continue to promote, support and advocate equality for all.

Sincerely ,
Callen Ubeda
President, ISU LGBTA Alliance

read the pdf of the court ruling here.

Kelly Moeller is our new Vice President. She was affirmed during last night's general assembly.

Bryce Johnson is out new Web Master.

LGBTA Student Day at the Capitol
March 4th.
Let a member of the Alliance cabinet know if you are interested in participating and we'll arrange a carpool.

Iowa Pride Network
Central GSA Coalition Meeting
Thursday March 5th. 5-7pm
Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ- Youth Room
4126 Ingersoll Ave.
Des Moines.


Seeking lesbian and bisexual women

Are you...
A lesbian or bisexual woman?
Age 18 or older?

If this sounds like you, then we invite you to participate in a study focusing on your life experiences as a lesbian, bisexual, or queer woman. Participants will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for one of several cash prizes of $50.

The goal of the Rainbow Women’s Project is to better understand and promote the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer women. Results of this study will be used to improve our newly developed survey for future use in our efforts to understand identity and experiences in our communities. We are especially interested in hearing the diverse voices within our communities.

This is an anonymous, web-based study run through the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington. For more information, please go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=furX9b2KKmEGmDeyHgb3aw_3d_3d,

or contact the Rainbow Women’s Project at wproject@u.washington.edu or (206) 543-9151. Please remember that we cannot guarantee the confidentiality of any information sent by email.

• Read the Ames Tribune's coverage of our Valentines Kiss-Out.
• Alliance president, Callen Ubeda was appointed as the state's representative for MBGLTACC's oversight committee, along with Drake University's LaCee Groetken .
• ISU & Ames are preparing for MBGLTACC's return in 2012.
• Pictures from MBGLTACC 09 coming soon.
• Soap's first lesbian wedding. [source]

Important message from the president of GSB:

Iowa State Students,

This is another reminder that the Iowa Department of Revenue offers tax rebates on all books purchased at the University Book Store for up to three years from the date of purchase. To receive your rebate, please save your receipt and go to www.gsb.iastate.edu/tax to download forms and instructions to receive your rebate. The receipt from your purchases will need to be included with the forms that are being sent in. This rebate, which will be sent
6-8 weeks after submission, will save you approximately seven percent on your purchase.

This year, the Government of the Student Body and ISU Ambassadors are working with State legislators on proposals to help you save even more on textbooks. GSB is continually aware of the high expenses of education, and we will be working on other proposals to help students. Feedback is always welcome and appreciated.
Please contact your representatives at http://www.gsb.iastate.edu with any concerns.

Have a great semester!

Daniel Fischer
President
Government of the Student Body

For the first time in history, The Lesbian and Gay Band Association (LGBA), a musical organization comprised of marching and concert bands from across the United States and around the world, has been chosen to perform in the parade for the inauguration. Again, this is the first time in history that a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender group will march in a Presidential Inaugural Parade.

The 177-piece LGBT band will join groups from across the country as well as from the Armed Forces in the historic parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, which follows President-elect Barack Obama’s swearing-in ceremony on the steps of the Capitol.

“I am honored to invite these talented groups and individuals to participate in the Inaugural Parade,” Obama said in a news release. “These organizations embody the best of our nation’s history, diversity, and commitment to service. Vice President-elect (Joe) Biden and I are proud to have them join us in the parade.”

Because, as you know, preventing kids from learning about tolerance is the
surefire way to ensure everyone turns or stays heterosexual.

A plan to have an acclaimed gay author speak to students in Charlotte County high schools has been scrapped after a few parents objected.

Alex Sanchez writes books about gay youth and their struggle to find acceptance, but local school principals were not comfortable allowing him to address their students.

Jay Remer, spokesman for the Charlotte County Rainbow Support Group, said Sanchez is a terrific public speaker whose message is about tolerance.

He said Sanchez’s mission is “to help the gay youth in the community to feel less isolated and more part of the community as a whole.”

Remer’s group is one of the sponsors bringing Sanchez, who lives in Florida, to New Brunswick.

"The idea was to try and have an audience of maybe as many as 1,500 students," Remer said.

But Sanchez won’t be able to spread his message in School District 10 because some parents have pressured principals, he said.

Keith Pierce, District 10 superintendent, said he changed his mind about allowing the author to speak in area schools after meeting with school principals.

"A few of them were getting pressure from a few parents, and they just weren’t comfortable going in that direction," Pierce said.

Some principals felt their schools were just “not ready” for the kind of presentation that Sanchez will give, he said.

In 2002, the American Library Association named Sanchez’s book Rainbow Boys to the list of Best Books for Young Adults.

Sanchez is still coming to New Brunswick. He will give a presentation at Wesley United Church in St. Andrews

The Iowa Department of Revenue offers tax rebates on all books purchased at the University Book Store. To receive your rebate, please go to www.gsb.iastate.edu/tax to download forms and instructions. The receipt from your purchases will need to be included with the forms that are being sent in. The overall Iowa tax rate is seven percent, so this rebate will save you approximately seven percent on your purchase.

The Government of the Student Body is very concerned with the high debt levels of Iowa State students, and would like to help in any way possible. Please contact your representatives at http://www.gsb.iastate.edu with any concerns.

One of the 14 girls who will compete on the new season of America's Next Top Model – which returns to The CW on September 3 – is transgender.

"My cards were dealt differently," Isis, a 22-year-old former receptionist, tells Us Weekly exclusively in its new issue, on newsstands now.

Hailing from Prince George's County, Maryland, Isis identifies herself as "a woman born physically male."

Will she be a role model?

"I like to help people, but I'm here to follow my dreams," she tells Us.

The inclusion of Isis is being hailed by GLAAD president Neil Giuliano as "an unprecedented opportunity for a community that is underrepresented on television.

"We applaud Tyra Banks and The CW for making this historic visibility of transgender people possible," Giuliano said.

While flipping through the most recent issue of Vanity Fair [the one with my new favorite celebrity, France's first lady, Carla Bruni], I came across one of Kenneth Cole's new advert.

In his current fashion ad campaign, Cole has replaced professional models with "everyday" people in a series of photographs and videos with the tagline, "We All Walk in Different Shoes." The ad campaign is intended to dispel social prejudices while extolling the value of diversity. Among those featured in the campaign are a lesbian couple, Nicoletta and Joanna, and their daughter, Ruthie, as well as a transgender woman named Nina Poon.




Kenneth Cole is one of the most engaging - and engaged - business leaders/activists in the country. Cole also took a public stand in the battle against AIDS in 1985, and is widely considered the first in the fashion industry to do so. He has continued to use his position in the fashion industry and his business, Kenneth Cole Productions Inc., to bring awareness to not just AIDS-related causes but a wide range of socially conscious issues, including homelessness, gun safety and women’s rights.

Check out their website at KennethCole.com

Saturday evening, August 18th was full of love, laughter, and a few tears for Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, who exchanged personal wedding vows in front of their closest family and friends at their home in L.A.

In an exclusive interview and photos, DeGeneres, 50, and de Rossi, 35, share the most romantic moments of the night with People Magazine.

"What can I say? I'm the luckiest girl in the world," says DeGeneres. "She's officially off the market. No one else gets her. And now she'll cook and clean for me."

Amid candles and flowers by Mark's Garden, both brides, wearing designs by Zac Posen, sat on floor pillows along with author Wayne Dyer, who officiated the ceremony.

After exchanging Neil Lane rings, the couple and their guests sat down for an all-vegan menu prepared by their personal chef David Silberkleit while Sweet Lady Jane created a vegan red velvet cake for the celebration.

"The love we felt from the people surrounding us, and the love we have for each other, made this the most beautiful and emotional day," says de Rossi. "And one that we'll never forget."

Thailand's Kampang Secondary School has installed toilets for burgeoning ladyboys. Every year between 10% and 20% of his boys in this school consider themselves to be transgender - boys who would rather be girls.

"They used to be teased every time they used the boys' toilets, so they started using the girls' toilets instead. But that made the girls feel uncomfortable. It made these boys unhappy, and started to affect their work." said headteacher Sitisak Sumontha.

So the school offered to build the transgender boys their own facility, and they welcomed it.

read the rest and watch the video here.

Due to the worsening flooding situation in Des Moines, Capital City Pride, in consultation with Des Moines authorities, has decided to postpone major weekend PrideFest 2008 events until September. All available city resources are needed for emergency preparations. Please watch for an announcement in the coming days about a rescheduled Saturday Night Street Party, Pride Parade, and Sunday Community Pride Festival.

For more information check out capitalcitypride.org

New York Governor David A. Paterson has directed all state agencies to begin to revise their policies and regulations to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions, like Massachusetts, California and Canada.

[Read the rest here.]


[Related article.]

California Supreme Court released their gay marriage decision! 4-3 they struck down the ban on same sex marriage.

Banquet honors LGBTAA - News

LETTER: Differing opinions need not necessitate hate - Opinion

S. MILLER: I am a transgender Cyclone - Opinion

Sophie Miller will be at the Free Speech Zone today from noon to 2pm. Tonight at the general assembly, we will be watching the movie Transamerica, followed by a discussion and a Q&A with Sophie.

Last night's Bisexual Talk went well. Thank you all for coming.

Tomorrow is Ally Day, the allies prepared a fun game at the Free Speech Zone. (Outside Parks Library)

*pictures of the events coming soon :)