It takes no compromise to give people their rights...
it takes no money to respect the individual.
It takes no political deal to give people freedom.
It takes no survey to remove repression. ~Harvey Milk
Overview.
We honor the beauty, diversity and importance of your identity at Evergreen Valley College, and want you to know that the part you play in enriching our Evergreen Valley College community is indelible.
The Office of Student Life at Evergreen Valley College is committed to enhancing the quality of life of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning EVC students in an environment that is welcoming, positive, and safe.
We are committed to ensuring a space for students, community members, and allies to come together to share resources, support, and discussion about topics relevant to the LGBTQ community.
What We Provide.
- Resources to LGBTQ+ students, allies, and employees
- Education on terminology, history, and current issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community
- Campus Events and Activities that celebrate pride and the LGBTQ+ community
- Safe Zone training to faculty, staff, and student clubs
Where We Are Located.
The Office of Student Life is located on the second level of the Gullo I Student Center in G-203. The offices can be found directly above the cafeteria inside the student lounge area.
LGBTQIA Intersectionality
"As long as my people don't have their rights across America, there's no reason for celebration."-Marsha P Johnson
Viewing the LGBTQ community as a single, homogeneous community can be detrimental. Not recognizing the diversity within the community obscures the voices of LGBTQ people who experience oppression due to intersecting identities. Not having their voice heard can be a disempowering experience that may prevent members of the community from speaking up. The Office of Student Life honors, respects, and recognizes how LGBTQ+ identities can interact with other social identities such as race, socio-economic status, religion, and ability status. As such, we wish to obtain and provide resources and support surrounding LGBTQ+ identities.
These lists are not all-encompassing of the social identities affecting people’s lives and experiences, and each resource list does is not all-inclusive. We are welcome to feedback about these resources, especially if someone finds that a resource that is listed is now out of date. Our hope is that these will be living documents that will grow and change with time, but be manageable for folks to explore, learn, and grow from.
Terminology
For a list of common terms please click on the terminology Document or see below. This list isn't meant to provide a comprehensive body of terminology, but refer to provide a snapshot of some terms that you may come across as an LGBTQ+ Individual, Ally, or Knowledge seeker.
- Ally – Someone who confronts heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, heterosexual and gender-straight privilege in themselves and others; a concern for the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, and intersex people; a belief that heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia are social constructs.
- Androgynous - An appearance and/or identification that is neither man nor woman, presenting a gender either mixed or neutral.
- Asexual/Nonsexual – A person who is not physically/sexually attracted to another person. Unlike celibacy, which people choose, asexuality is an intrinsic part of who they are. Asexual people still have the same emotional needs, as anyone else, and experience attraction. However, they feel no need to physically act out on that attraction.
- Assigned Sex - When all of us are born, a doctor or other official surveys the evidence and assigns us one of two sexes: “male” and “female.” If the available physical evidence at birth is unclear, many times the evidence is “fixed” surgically to conform to one of those two boxes.
- Bisexual – A person emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to men and women. This attraction does not have to be equally split between genders and there may be a preference for one gender over others.
- Cisgender – A person whose assigned sex at birth matches their gender identity and/or expression. Literally “not transgender.” This is a less problematic term for people who are not transgender – preferred over terms like “real man/woman,” “biological man/woman,” or “natural man/woman.”
- Coming Out – May refer to the process by which one accepts one’s own sexuality, gender identity, or status as an intersexed person (to “come out” to oneself). May also refer to the process by which one shares one’s sexuality, gender identity, or intersexed status with others (to “come out” to friends, etc.). This can be a continual, life-long process for homosexual, bisexual, transgendered, and intersexed individuals.
- Gay – A man, who identifies as male, who desires and/or is drawn to another man, who identifies as male. “Gay” is often used to refer to both men and women who are attracted to people of the same gender identity. Many object to the universal use of “gay” because of the sexist implications.
- Gender Binary – The idea there are only two genders – male/female or man/woman and that a person must be strictly gendered as either/or.
- Gender Expression - The gender everyone see; the way in which an individual externally represents their gender identity and presents it to the world.
- Gender Identity – A person’s internal sense of being masculine, feminine, or other gendered. The way an individual identifies their unique gender; this does not always align with their sex.
- Gender Normative / Gender Straight – A person who either by nature or by choice conforms to gender-based expectations of society.
- Gender Queer – A person who redefines, plays with or refuses gender all together. It is an identity taken up by many people who bend/break the rules of gender and blur the boundaries of gender identity/expression.
- Gender Variant / Gender Non-Conforming – A person who either by nature or choice does not conform to gender-based expectations of society (e.g. transgender, transsexual, intersex, gender-queer, cross-dresser, etc.).
- Heterosexual – A person who desires and is drawn to another person of the opposite gender.
- Homophobia – The irrational fear or hatred of homosexuals, homosexuality, or any behavior or belief that does not conform to rigid sex role stereotypes. It is this fear that enforces sexism as well as heterosexism.
- In the Closet – Refers to a person within the queer community who will not or cannot disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity to their friends, family, co-workers, or society. There are varying degrees of being “in the closet”; for example, a person can be out in their social life, but in the closet at work, or with their family.
- Intersex – A term used to describe a person whose chromosomes, genitalia, and/or secondary sex characteristics are determined to be neither exclusively male nor female.
- Lesbian – A woman, who identifies as female, who desires and/or is drawn to another woman, who identifies as female. The term lesbian is derived from the name of the Greek island of Lesbos and as such is sometimes considered a Eurocentric category.
- LGBTQ+ – A common abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersexed, asexual, ally, and pansexual community.
- Outing – When a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or intersex status is disclosed by someone other than the individual. Outing a person can lead to both emotional and potentially physical harm.
- Pansexual – A person who recognizes more than two genders and can be drawn to a person of any gender identity or expression.
- Polyamory – Not synonymous with polygamy (polygamy includes a power differential and a possible lack of consent) Polyamory refers to having honest, usually non-possessive, open communicative, relationships with more than one partner, not necessarily all at once.
- Queer – Once used primarily as a pejorative term, queer is being reclaimed by many LBGTQ+ people in an attempt to disband rigid labels. This umbrella term is used to be more inclusive of the broad diversity of race, class, and gender that are often under-represented in the LBGTQ+ community.
- Questioning – Someone who is questioning their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. These individuals may be exploring their feelings or unsure of their own sexuality. They may not identify as LGBTQ+ because they have yet to determine how to best identify themselves.
- Sexual Orientation – "Sexual orientation" is the preferred term used when referring to an individual's physical and/or emotional attraction to the same and/or opposite gender. "Gay," "lesbian," "bisexual" and "straight" are all examples of sexual orientations. A person's sexual orientation is distinct from a person's gender identity and expression.
- Straight – A term used to describe a person who identifies as heterosexual.
- Transgender or Trans*– An umbrella term for people who, for any number of reasons, have a gender identity/expression not commonly associated with their assigned birth. A person who lives as a member of a gender other than that expected based on anatomical sex or assigned sex. Sexual orientation varies and is not dependent on gender identity.
- Transsexual – a person whose gender identity/expression is not commonly associated with their assigned sex at birth. Transsexuals may wish to transform their bodies hormonally and/or surgically to be more congruent with their inner sense of gender/sex. The term is now considered largely disparaging.
- Two Spirited/Māhū – Are indigenous definitions which believe in a third gender. Individuals naturally possess male and female gender/spirit simultaneously. They are sometimes valued as tribal spiritual leaders and/or healers.
- Ze / Hir – Alternate pronouns that are gender neutral and preferred by some gender variant persons. Pronounced /zee/ and /here/ they replace “he” and “she” and “his” and “hers” respectively.
Local and National Resources
Equality California
Civil Rights non-profit organization using advocacy and education to achieve equality for the LGBTQ community.
Bill Wilson Center
Non-profit organization providing housing, education, counseling and advocacy. LGBTQ Connections offers confidential, drop-in support groups for LGBTQ youths.
Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center
A nonprofit organization in San Jose dedicated to providing leadership, advocacy, and a variety of programs and services for LGBTQ People and their Allies.
County of Santa Clara Office of LGBTQ Affairs
Policy Office within the Division of Equity and Social Justice within the County Executive's Office for The County of Santa Clara.
Immigration Equality
Provides direct legal services, policy advocacy for immigrants facing discrimination due to gender identity, sexual orientation or HIV status.
LGBTQ National Help Center
Provides free support & confidential peer support and local resources near you.
Silicon Valley Pride
Produces and organizes the annual Silicon Valley Pride Parade and Festival
Trevor Project
National organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth under 25 years of age
Local and National Resources for Students of Color
Asian Pacific Islander Queer Women & Transgender Community
Bay Area multi-generational group to increase social networks and community visibility.
Asian & Pacific Islander Family Pride
Nonprofit organization of parents, families, and friends of LGBTQI dedicated to ending isolation through support, education, and dialog.
Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits
Community based volunteer organization dedicated to creating spiritual, cultural, and artistic forums for Two-Spirit people.
GLSEN (pronounced "glisten")
A non-profit organization that advises on, advocates for, and researches comprehensive policies designed to protect LGBTQ students, as well as students of marginalized identities.
Latino Equality Alliance
A non-profit organization that promotes liberty, equality, and justice for the Latina/o LGBTQ community.
National Black Justice Coalition
A national civil rights organization that empowers Black identifying LGBTQ individuals.
Trans Women of Color Coalition (TWOCC)
Zuna Institute
National Advocacy Organization for Black Lesbians based in Sacramento, CA.
Understanding Gender Pronouns.
Pronouns are part of our everyday language. Often it is difficult to speak without using pronouns and they are an important part of language. However, their use in understanding gender is often underestimated.
Respecting the pronouns that someone uses is important in treating people with respect and creating a safe and welcoming place where all can pursue their academic goals.
Everyone has pronouns and we believe that pronouns matter.
What is a pronoun?
A pronoun is a word that refers to either the people talking (I or you) or someone or something that is being talked about (like she, it, them, and this). Gender pronouns (he/she/they/ze etc.) specifically refer to people that you are talking about.
What are gender pronouns?
Individuals choose their own gender pronouns. For example: If Jane’’s preferred pronouns are she, her, and hers, you could say “Jane ate her food because she was hungry.” Some gender pronouns are neutral (them, they, theirs), some are not (she, he), and some have been created as an alternative to or rejection of the gender binary. Everyone has the right to use the gender pronouns that match their personal identity. These pronouns may or may not match their gender expression (how the person dresses, behaves, or looks).
What are commonly used pronouns
She, her, hers and he, him, his are the most commonly used pronouns. Some people call these “female/feminine” and “male/masculine” pronouns, but many avoid these labels because, for example, not everyone who uses he feels like a “male” or “masculine.”
There are also lots of gender-neutral pronouns in use. Here are a few you might hear:
They, them, theirs (Xena ate their food because they were hungry.) This is is a pretty common gender-neutral pronoun…. And yes, it can in fact be used in the singular.
Ze, hir (Xena ate hir food because ze was hungry.) Ze is pronounced like “zee,” can also be spelled zie or xe, and replaces she/he/they. Hir is pronounced like “here” and replaces her/hers/him/his/they/theirs.
Just my name please! (Xena ate Xena’s food because Xena was hungry) Some people prefer not to use pronouns at all, using their name as a pronoun instead.
Never, ever refer to a person as “it” or “he-she” (unless they specifically ask you to.) These are offensive slurs used against trans and gender non-conforming individuals.
Why is it important to respect people’s gender pronouns?
You cannot always know what someone’s gender pronouns are by looking at them. Asking about and correctly using someone’s gender pronouns is one of the most basic ways to show your respect for their identity. When someone is referred to with the wrong pronouns, they may feel disrespected, invalidated, dismissed, alienated, or dysphoric (or, often, all of the above). It is a privilege to not have to worry about which pronouns someone is going to use for you on the basis of how they perceive your gender. If you have this privilege yet fail to respect someone else’s gender identity, it is not only disrespectful and hurtful but also oppressive.
How do I ask someone what their gender pronoun is?
Try asking: “What are your pronouns?” or “Which pronouns do you like to hear?” or “Can you remind me which pronouns you like for yourself?” It can feel awkward at first, but it is not half as awkward as getting it wrong or making a hurtful assumption.
If you are asking as part of an introduction exercise and you want to quickly explain what a preferred gender pronoun is, you can try something like this: “Tell us your name, where you come from, and your preferred pronoun. That means the pronoun you like to be referred to with. For example, my preferred pronouns are they, them, and theirs.”
How can I take an active role?
On campus, you may hear a student, faculty member, or staff member using the wrong pronoun for someone. In most cases, it is appropriate to gently correct them without further embarrassing the individual who has been misgendered. This means saying something like “Actually, Xena prefers the pronoun she,” and then moving on. If other students or faculty are consistently using the wrong pronouns for someone, do not ignore it! It is important for everyone to know that you are their ally.
It may be appropriate to approach the person who has been misgendered and say something like “I noticed that you were getting referred to with the wrong pronoun earlier, and I know that that can be really hurtful. Would you be okay with me taking them aside and reminding them about your preferred pronouns?” Follow up if necessary, but take your cues from the person. Your actions will be greatly appreciated.
What are ways that faculty and staff can introduce gender pronouns?
Some ways that gender pronouns can be introduced are:
Incorporate pronouns into your email signature, syllabus, or Canvas
Make a statement like the following on your syllabus: “My name is [faculty name]. My gender pronouns are [gender pronouns].”
When asking for introductions, include your gender pronouns, and ask students to share their pronouns.
What if I make a mistake?
That’s okay! It happens to everyone. It takes time to adjust to new ways of speaking and thinking. If you use the wrong pronoun, apologize, correct it, and then move on. If you realize your mistake after the fact, apologize in private and move on. Avoid continually talking about how bad you feel for making the mistake, because it could make the person feel like they need to console you and/or create uncomfortable or unsafe environments for them if others are not aware of differences between their preferred and legal name/pronoun.
Campus Resources.
1. All Gender Restrooms
2. LGBTQIA Student Ally Club
Club Advisors:
- Garry Johnson, Faculty, Nursing/Allied Health: Garry.Johnson@evc.edu
- Shaneel Pratap, Faculty, Social Science: Shaneel.Pratap@evc.edu
- John Kaufmann, Faculty, Theatre Arts: John.Kaufmann@evc.edu
3. YouTube Videos and Documentaries We Recommend
4. Netflix Videos and Documentaries We Recommend
Human Rights Campaign Coming Out Resource Guide.
Terminology
Ally
Someone who confronts heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, heterosexual and gender-straight privilege in themselves and others; a concern for the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, and intersex people; a belief that heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia are social constructs.
Androgynous
An appearance and/or identification that is neither man nor woman, presenting a gender either mixed or neutral.
Asexual/Nonsexual
A person who is not physically/sexually attracted to another person. Unlike celibacy, which people choose, asexuality is an intrinsic part of who they are. Asexual people still have the same emotional needs, as anyone else, and experience attraction. However, they feel no need to physically act out on that attraction.
Assigned Sex
When all of us are born, a doctor or other official surveys the evidence and assigns us one of two sexes: “male” and “female.” If the available physical evidence at birth is unclear, many times the evidence is “fixed” surgically to conform to one of those two boxes.
Bisexual
A person emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to men and women. This attraction does not have to be equally split between genders and there may be a preference for one gender over others.
Cisgender
A person whose assigned sex at birth matches their gender identity and/or expression. Literally “not transgender.” This is a less problematic term for people who are not transgender – preferred over terms like “real man/woman,” “biological man/woman,” or “natural man/woman.”
Coming Out
May refer to the process by which one accepts one’s own sexuality, gender identity, or status as an intersexed person (to “come out” to oneself). May also refer to the process by which one shares one’s sexuality, gender identity, or intersexed status with others (to “come out” to friends, etc.). This can be a continual, life-long process for homosexual, bisexual, transgendered, and intersexed individuals.
Gay
A man, who identifies as male, who desires and/or is drawn to another man, who identifies as male. “Gay” is often used to refer to both men and women who are attracted to people of the same gender identity. Many object to the universal use of “gay” because of the sexist implications.
Gender Binary
The idea there are only two genders – male/female or man/woman and that a person must be strictly gendered as either/or.
Gender Expression
The gender everyone see; the way in which an individual externally represents their gender identity and presents it to the world.
Gender Identity
A person’s internal sense of being masculine, feminine, or other gendered. The way an individual identifies their unique gender; this does not always align with their sex.
Gender Normative / Gender Straight
A person who either by nature or by choice conforms to gender-based expectations of society.
Gender Queer
A person who redefines, plays with or refuses gender all together. It is an identity taken up by many people who bend/break the rules of gender and blur the boundaries of gender identity/expression.
Gender Variant / Gender Non-Conforming
A person who either by nature or choice does not conform to gender-based expectations of society (e.g. transgender, transsexual, intersex, gender-queer, cross-dresser, etc.).
Heterosexual
A person who desires and is drawn to another person of the opposite gender.
Homophobia
The irrational fear or hatred of homosexuals, homosexuality, or any behavior or belief that does not conform to rigid sex role stereotypes. It is this fear that enforces sexism as well as heterosexism.
In the Closet
Refers to a person within the queer community who will not or cannot disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity to their friends, family, co-workers, or society. There are varying degrees of being “in the closet”; for example, a person can be out in their social life, but in the closet at work, or with their family.
Intersex
A term used to describe a person whose chromosomes, genitalia, and/or secondary sex characteristics are determined to be neither exclusively male nor female.
Lesbian
A woman, who identifies as female, who desires and/or is drawn to another woman, who identifies as female. The term lesbian is derived from the name of the Greek island of Lesbos and as such is sometimes considered a Eurocentric category.
LGBTQ+
A common abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersexed, asexual, ally, and pansexual community.
Outing
When a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or intersex status is disclosed by someone other than the individual. Outing a person can lead to both emotional and potentially physical harm.
Pansexual
A person who recognizes more than two genders and can be drawn to a person of any gender identity or expression.
Polyamory
Not synonymous with polygamy (polygamy includes a power differential and a possible lack of consent) Polyamory refers to having honest, usually non-possessive, open communicative, relationships with more than one partner, not necessarily all at once.
Queer
Once used primarily as a pejorative term, queer is being reclaimed by many LBGTQ+ people in an attempt to disband rigid labels. This umbrella term is used to be more inclusive of the broad diversity of race, class, and gender that are often under-represented in the LBGTQ+ community.
Questioning
Someone who is questioning their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. These individuals may be exploring their feelings or unsure of their own sexuality. They may not identify as LGBTQ+ because they have yet to determine how to best identify themselves.
Sexual Orientation
"Sexual orientation" is the preferred term used when referring to an individual's physical and/or emotional attraction to the same and/or opposite gender. "Gay," "lesbian," "bisexual" and "straight" are all examples of sexual orientations. A person's sexual orientation is distinct from a person's gender identity and expression.
Straight
A term used to describe a person who identifies as heterosexual.
Transgender or Trans*
An umbrella term for people who, for any number of reasons, have a gender identity/expression not commonly associated with their assigned birth. A person who lives as a member of a gender other than that expected based on anatomical sex or assigned sex. Sexual orientation varies and is not dependent on gender identity.
Transsexual
a person whose gender identity/expression is not commonly associated with their assigned sex at birth. Transsexuals may wish to transform their bodies hormonally and/or surgically to be more congruent with their inner sense of gender/sex. The term is now considered largely disparaging.
wo Spirited/Māhū
T Are indigenous definitions which believe in a third gender. Individuals naturally possess male and female gender/spirit simultaneously. They are sometimes valued as tribal spiritual leaders and/or healers.
Ze / Hir
Alternate pronouns that are gender neutral and preferred by some gender variant persons. Pronounced /zee/ and /here/ they replace “he” and “she” and “his” and “hers” respectively.
Contact
Raniyah Johnson
raniyah.johnson@evc.edu
Gullo Student Center, G-205
Bryana Perez
Bryana.Perez@evc.edu
Gullo Student Center, G-205