Nondiscrimination Policy
The University of Denver prohibits discrimination based a person's race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, or veteran status. The full policy can be found at http://www.du.edu/bfa/policy/Equal_Opp.pdf.
DU Queer and Ally Commission (QAC)
The Commission represents the culmination of efforts from across campus and a commitment to ensure that DU is a place where people of all sexual orientations and gender identities and expression are represented and included. Open to everyone, the Commission hosts the annual LGBTIQ and Allies Celebration Gala and supports the Queer & Ally Training (nee SafeZone) program, among other efforts. Contact CME for more information.
Queer & Ally ("Q&A") Training
Similar to "SafeZone" programs at various campuses around the nation, Q&A provides 2-3hour interactive workshops to campus organizations, offices and informal groups to increase awareness and inclusion of peoples of all sexual orientations and gender identities/ expressions. Q&A has been revamped in the past year to be more up-to-date, inclusive of the broad diversity within LGBTIQ and Ally communities, and more flexible in meeting the specific needs of audiences. We will be offering a Facilitator Training in order to update/ add to our cohort who can roll out the updated program for staff development and 2009-10 open training schedules! If you are interested in learning more, please contact CME.
COMING SOON: Participants who complete Levels 1 & 2 become part of the campus Q&A Network, and are provided a placard for their office/ room, access to a special online resource site, and opportunities for ongoing education and action on equity issues. Watch for details!
Trans/Allies
This working group of students, faculty and staff focuses on implementing DU's gender identity and expression non-discrimination policy, by working on ways to make university procedures, practices and climate more inclusive for transgender, intersex and other gender non-conforming peoples. Examples include advocating for additional gender neutral restrooms on campus, streamlining campus procedures for recognizing gender self-identification, and ensuring equitable healthcare coverage. Contact CME for more information.
Email Digest (Weekly on Fridays)
To help our communities stay informed about campus and community events, issues and opportunities, we compile and email a digest of FYIs each Friday morning to the (umbrella) QueerDUinfo and the QSA student email listservs. Brief submissions can be emailed to lgbtiqa@du.edu.
Rainbow Know
For 2009-10, we are inaugurating a worklife informational series, connecting our communities with campus, alumn and community experts on LGBTIQ and Ally issues. These free workshops will focus on such issues as legal issues, financial planning, non-traditional families, relationships, health and wellness, and more. Watch for details on the full Winter/Spring schedule, including local attorney Erica Johnson, of Ambler & Keenan, presenting a FREE overview of estate planning, probate and other issues unique to LGBT individuals and families. Watch for additional details, and/or suggest topics or resource people - contact us)!
Speakers Bureau (Under Development)
Our office and campus organizations receive regular requests for speakers to visit classes, campus meetings, and community groups, to share their stories growing up, coming out, and working and living as LGBTIQ and Ally people. We are working to develop a training program and more formal scheduling process. If you'd like to help or participate, please contact us.
In the meanwhile, if you are interested in having a speaker/panel visit with your gathering, please contact us with specific topic, requested date and time, audience size and description, etc.
Triad Mentoring (under development)
We are working on a program in which new LGBTIQ-identifying students (undergraduate or graduate) are connected to an 'out' continuing student AND an 'out' current faculty/staff member, to provide a three-person connection for assistance with the queer college transition--while also building community! If you are interested in participating, please contact us.
Social Series
One clear theme in feedback from DU's LGBTIQ and Ally communities is a need for purely social time--opportunities to just be together, without a specific task or educational outcome. Recognizing the importance of this community-building and maintaining process, we are seeking a few volunteers to help coordinate an ongoing series of low-key, lo/no-cost social activities. Past events have included a Queer Coffee Hour at Kaladi's, a trip to see Milk at the Mayan Theatre, and a "Viewer's Choice" movie night at Hillel. If you are interested in helping organize one (or more) of these simple socials, please contact us.
