By now I hope you have heard about Tyler Clementi, the male student at Rutgers who jumped off of the GW bridge which connects NY and NJ over the Hudson River. He jumped because his roommate filmed him with making out with another guy in his room and live-fed it on the internet. You can read more about it on CNN.com here.
What you may not know is that this is the third gay young adult who has committed suicide in the last three weeks because of bullying or harassment at their k-12 school or college.
Creating a supportive community and safe environment for LGBTQ students on campus is one of my goals with starting The One Project and I am so happy that you are all a part of this, what I think, very important group of supportive and caring people.
I hope that as LGBTQA people on campus, you will actively support each other and actively stop any instances of hatred towards our community or other underrepresented communities. It is extremely important at this time that we are there for each other and to know that we don't have to resort to suicide or other self-inflicted injury if we are struggling.
I am here for you. Chelsea is here for you. There are many, many resources on campus as well including the most prominent LGBT resource in the Office of LGBT Equity located in Cole Field House. If you ever need anything, please feel free to talk with any of us at any time and please be proactive in reporting acts of hatred towards others on campus.
We care about all of you deeply.
RESOURCES
Dian Squire1102 Cole Field House
Dsquire@umd.edu
301-254-3975 (h)/301-314-8212 (w)
Chelsea Truesdel1102 Cole Field House
ctruesde@umd.edu
301-314-8214
Luke Jensen/Nick SakuraiOffice of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Equity
0119 Cole Student Activities Building
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
tel: 301.405.8720
email: lgbt@umd.edu
Help Center
Talk with a student counselor anonymously about any problem or concern you may have
301-314-HELP (4357)
Rainbow Walk-in Hour
The Counseling Center's Rainbow Walk-In Hour is a program designed specifically for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered (LGBT) students or students from LGBT headed families. This program, offered by the Counseling Service, was created to meet the immediate emotional-social and educational-career needs of LGBT students or students from LGBT headed families. Students using the service are not required to schedule an appointment in advance, allowing for immediate assistance in dealing with the student's concern.
It is not uncommon for LGBT-involved students to be reluctant to reach out for help for fear of prejudice, discrimination, and/or attempts at conversion therapy. One of the purposes of this program is to make the Center's services feel safer for those in the LGBT community. To ensure a safe setting, the Rainbow Walk-In Hour is staffed with LGBT friendly psychologists and advanced trainees
The Rainbow Walk-In Hour operates Monday through Thursday from 3 to 4 pm. Ideally, students will come in ten minutes before each Walk-In Hour to complete the standard paperwork. Students can come to the Center on their own or be referred by faculty or staff from various campus offices (e.g., the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equity Office; the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Staff and Faculty Association; Office of Resident Life).
The Rainbow Walk-In Hour operates Monday through Thursday from 3 to 4 pm. Ideally, students will come in ten minutes before each Walk-In Hour to complete the standard paperwork. Students can come to the Center on their own or be referred by faculty or staff from various campus offices (e.g., the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equity Office; the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Staff and Faculty Association; Office of Resident Life).
Take care Terps!
Regards,
Dian
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