Valuable lessons learned at ally training session

“It’s not just about being politically correct.”

Those were the words of Zena Piccolo, student life coordinator at Portland State’s Queer Resource Center, at a recent ally training session the student group organized.

“This is a real issue that affects people.”

Piccolo and other members of the QRC addressed the issues faced by many people identifying themselves with sexual minority groups, or what is often referred to as “the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning community” (GLBTQQ).

The session, which was designed for PSU students to educate themselves about being supportive of these communities, examined different strategies to tactfully counter homophobic or otherwise hateful comments that may be overheard on campus.

Piccolo presented these strategies alongside Dylan Ritchey, the QRC’s health and wellness coordinator. Piccolo’s hope is to foster cooperation and open-mindedness among students regardless of sexual orientation, she said.

“Virtually everyone is affected by the use of hateful language, whether or not it is direct,” Piccolo said.

“Since you never know for sure what anyone’s sexual orientation is, it’s important to not assume that those around you all fall into the same ‘straight’ or ‘gay’ category.”

Here are some tips and facts about why it’s important to be respectful of sexual minorities, as well as some consequences of discrimination, straight from the QRC:

Investigate before judging:Someone who makes homophobic comments may not be aware of any negative effects their words could carry. A good example of this is someone saying, “That’s gay,” meaning that something is dumb, inconvenient, etc. It’s like many of these people just aren’t thinking before they speak.

Play the idiot: If you are in a situation where your safety could be an issue, just pretend you don’t get it.

Try comedy: If someone says your shoes are “so gay,” counter with “those shoes are so heterosexual.”

Make it personal: Relate personal feelings about how comments negatively impact you. If you’re defending a fellow GLBTQQ friend, keep in mind how much you say, unless you know that person is comfortable with sharing as well.

Be a teacher: Be able to back up counters to negative comments with the facts.

Leave or delay: The wrong circumstances often mean it might be better to leave or wait until another time or place to have a confrontation.

Some findings from the 2005 National School Climate Survey, which documented the experiences of students across the nation identifying with sexual minorities and used in the QRC’s informational literature:

75.4 percent of students heard derogatory remarks toward sexual minorities on a regular basis at school.

One-third of students experienced physical harassment at school, because of or based on sexual orientation.

More than 25 percent were harassed on a basis of their individual gender expression.

Students identifying with a sexual minority group were five times as likely to skip school based on potential threats to their physical safety due to sexual orientation.

Students that experienced physical harassment more often were more likely to not attend college.

For more information, visit the QRC’s Web site at qrc.pdx.edu. To read more of the 2005 National School Climate Survey, visit glsen.org.