LGBTQ+ resources on campus
Photo courtesy of Geneseo Website
Geneseo’s website under the section LGBTQ+ life holds a wide variety of resources and organizations for those both a part of the LGBTQ+ community and allies.
Newly inaugurated president Donald Trump has recently signed executive orders directed against transgender and nonbinary individuals with the potential to change their lives. According to PBS, some of the changes that will be made include recognizing people as only men or women, denying requests for passport gender markers, transgender women being moved into men’s prisons, beginning another ban on transgender service members, defunding gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth, and more.
While these executive orders may feel terrifying and unfair, it is essential to note that Geneseo’s campus has a wide variety of resources and organizations meant to help the LGBTQ+ community on campus. SUNY Geneseo’s website under the section, LGBTQ+ Life, states, “LGBTQ+ Life at SUNY Geneseo supports and empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual students. Through collaboration with students, faculty, and staff, the LGBTQ+ Life develops and implements programs and resources to affirm an individual's many identities.”
The website's main sections contain numerous tabs explaining what the organization does and how they can help/support the student body. For one, there is a section titled “Campus Resources for the LGBTQ Community” that explains numerous resources and fellow organizations for those who identify as LGBTQ and how to reach out to them. Some resources included under this section are marked academic courses, residential living, preferred name change, all-gender restrooms, which include specific locations and a map, and the Department of Student Health and Counseling.
Both allies and members of the LGBT community will find value in the section titled "LGBTQ Terminology." According to the section, "Below you will find a list of commonly used (or often misunderstood) terms in the LGBT+ community. Please know that while these definitions have been carefully researched and vetted for appropriateness and usage, there may be some variations based on culture, geography, or experience.”
The tab “Coming Out” is another one that is crucial for both allies and those who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community as it explains what coming out is, if individuals are thinking about coming out, why some individuals may not come out, and how does someone support one who has come out to them. The top of the page covers “the basics of coming out, including what it is, why people come out, suggestions to make coming out easier for those who want to, and various misconceptions.”
Not only does Geneseo support the LGBTQ+ community and allies during their years on campus, but it also honors them through a Lavender Graduation Celebration. The website states, “Lavender Graduation events intend to honor graduating seniors that identify as LGBTQ+ and allies for their contributions to the Geneseo community. These programs also recognize the resilience and advocacy demonstrated by LGBTQ+ students in light of unique experiences and potential obstacles within higher education.”
For those who are uninformed or want to learn more about pronouns and why they matter, there is a section under the website titled “Pronouns Matter: Why Using Proper Pronouns is Important.” The section states, “A person's sense of identity may change as they better understand gender identity in social constructs, so it’s important to be aware that a person’s or one’s pronouns may change. Purposefully not using a person's correct name and pronouns can be interpreted as actively disrespectful or even antagonistic. Misgendering a person, using the wrong pronouns or name, can create potentially unsafe situations, perhaps also unwillingly out a person, and create a hostile classroom environment that may make it very difficult for them to thrive at Geneseo.”
Although these executive orders can feel official and dampening to certain members of the country, it is essential to remember that there is an abundance of resources in Geneseo meant to lift, support, and encourage the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. These resources provide a sense of strength, ensuring that, despite the recent setbacks within the community, no one has to feel alone in this. Every voice matters, and every individual, no matter what, deserves to feel heard, seen, and respected.