Although flyers were posted around campus to advertise a GLBT discussion group, no students have yet attended. However, Professor Denise Danford said she was in contact with interested students. (Photo by Michael Brisgone)
“Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered are everywhere,” said Dr. Audrey Erving a professor of psychology at DCCC who has decided, along with Denise Danford, an associate professor or communications, to start a discussion group for anyone with sexuality and gender issues.
The group, which will keep all involved student information confidential, offers – but is not limited to topics of identity, the coming out process, stress, family, challenges and homophobia.
While the discussion group is not considered therapy, both professors want this group to be a supportive place where students can address questions, concerns, frustrations and even success stories.
There is no set statistic for the number of gays and lesbians on college campuses because it is illegal for a college to ask a student his/her sexual orientation.
However, according to a recent study completed by the National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce (NGLTF) the feelings for gays and lesbians on college campus is still somewhat unaccepted.
Out of 500 students surveyed at six community colleges, 80 percent said they saw or heard of someone who was subjected to discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Within that survey 41 percent of the respondents said their campus did not address issues related towards gays and lesbians.
In years past DCCC has had clubs geared towards gay pride and activism.
“That is not this group,” Erving said. “The idea for this discussion group is to create a safe space for those who need it.”
While those previous groups focused on visibility, this discussion group will focus on confidentiality, Danford said.
“The need to talk about these issues will never go away,” Danford said. “
We want to offer the safe space but the students have to do their part in reaching out.”
The group’s facilitators may also arrange educational movies, guest speakers and anything that may help with the students needs.
Erving and Danford both have a large background working with GLBT students.
Professor Erving is a licensed psychologist who taught one of the first graduate level courses in the country based on counseling GLBT individuals.
Danford was the faculty advisor for a number of groups geared towards gays and lesbians on campus.
“Since being here at DCCC I’ve had 30 to 40 students come out to me,” said Erving. “In the beginning of each of my classes I let my students know I’m an ally.”
An ally is a person who is an advocate for sexual minority populations, Erving says. She wants to use her voice, she said, for people who may not have one.
“People may not realize it, but sexual identities are so diverse, “Erving said. “People automatically assume that individuals are straight when, in fact, a large number of them are not.”
Both professors shared the same concerns about whether or not the club will succeed here on campus.
“There is always a large student interest in the beginning,” Danford said. “Then, after a few weeks, fewer people come and by the end of the semester the club is non-existent.”
“Students commuting here plays a large part in why [clubs and student activities] don’t occur here on campus,” said Danford. Most students, she said, want to come to campus for class and then leave as soon as possible.
“For any of you [GLBT] who have been told you are less by your church – you are all beautiful creatures of value and you will one day, soon, have equal rights,” said Dustin Lance Black, a screen play writer who recently won the Oscar for him movie Milk featuring the life of Harvey Milk, California's first openly gay elected official who was assassinated for his sexual orientation.
So far only Massachusetts allows gay marriage. New Jersey and New Hampshire offer similar “agreements” called a same-sex civil union.
“Marriage and civil unions from more states are coming,” said Danford.
Beyond campus, students may find a large outlet where they can go and be themselves in the city, said Erving. Philadelphia, she added, has an area dedicated to GLBT individuals between 11th and Pine and 14th and Walnut.
The area, commonly referred to as the gayborhood, is covered in rainbow flags which hang from the street lights and store fronts and it offers everything from book stores, clubs and even café’s where GLBT individuals can go and be themselves.
For more information about this discussion group or nearby GLBT activities both professors strongly encourage students to contact them. Dr. Audrey Erving is available at (610) 359-5045 or AErvin@dccc.edu and Professor Denise Danford at (610) 359-7380 or DDanford@dccc.ed
