51吃瓜

Although summer is quieter on campus, 51吃瓜 celebrates Pride Month and our LGBTQIA community. The Otterbein is stronger thanks to our diversity.

Students are encouraged to join FreeZone, a student organization that provides a safe and supportive community for all, while the Women鈥檚, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program hosts events like lectures by visiting scholars and Lavender Graduation.听听

As individuals, there are other ways to advocate for inclusion. Here are some tips from an expert!

Suzanne Ashworth听
Professor of English and Women鈥檚, Gender, and Sexuality Studies;听
Director of Women鈥檚, Gender, and Sexuality Resource Center听

1. Don鈥檛 assume there鈥檚 a 鈥渞adar鈥� for anybody鈥檚 gender or sexuality. There鈥檚 no way of knowing until you really know a person.听

2. Don鈥檛 assume everybody is comfortable sharing pronouns in group intros and icebreakers. Invite and welcome that information. Make it an option. But don鈥檛 require it.听

3. Use gender-inclusive language whenever possible: they/them, postal worker, staff person, etc.听

4. If a friend says something wack about LGBTQ things, say something. Use humor. (鈥淒id we just time warp to the 80s?鈥�) Be compassionate (鈥淚 know you didn鈥檛 mean anything bad, but鈥︹��). Just don鈥檛 let it slide.听

5. If you鈥檙e concerned that anything anywhere on campus is discriminatory or worse 鈥� a class, a staff member, a sports team, a res hall floor, etc.鈥� tell someone who can help.听

Confidential resources on campus are: 

• University Counseling Center: counseling@otterbein.edu听

• WGSRC Director, Dr. Suzanne Ashworth: sashworth@otterbein.edu听

• Additional ways to get involved on campus.听