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A good idea to promulgate?
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SF...@aol.com
Feb 29, 1996, 3:00:00 AM2/29/96
to glb-...@ucsd.edu
THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Tuesday, February 27, 1996
By Brian Cox, Special to the Tribune.
GAY STUDENTS FIND A SAFE HARBOR - NU PROGRAM OPENS COMMUNICATION
LINES
Northwestern University engineering student Gary Riley was sure he would
never have the opportunity to discuss his homosexuality in or outside his
engineering classes.
After all, Riley said, sexual issues may be freely discussed in liberal
arts programs, but engineers study science, not sexual orientation.
"It can seem really difficult to find a sympathetic ear and support for
gay issues in an environment like that," said the 22-year-old undergraduate
student.
Last spring, in an effort to bridge such communications gaps, the
Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Northwestern University launched its
"Safe Harbor Program."
Now hundreds of playing-card-size Safe Harbor stickers with a sketch of a
sailboat and the slogan "I'm a safe harbor for bisexual, gay and lesbian
people," are displayed on office doors and cubicles across the Northwestern
campus.
"The person displaying the sticker is saying they are affirming of people
of all sexual orientations, that they are a `safe harbor' where it's OK to
discuss those issues," said Riley, who is also the alliance's treasurer.
"It's worked out really well."
Most importantly, bisexual, lesbian and gay students now know which
staff, faculty or graduate students they can turn to for support, said Chad
Phillips, president of the alliance.
For example, Phillips said, gay, bisexual or lesbian students who are
being harassed because of their sexual orientation may not feel comfortable
going directly to university authorities.
"Sometimes students who are just starting to deal with these issues don't
know where to go," Phillips said. "The people who have the stickers are
willing to listen. They may not be able to help, but they can point the
student in the right direction to find help."
The Safe Harbor program, similar to programs at the University of Rhode
Island, Ball State University in Indiana and Southern Illinois University, is
completely voluntary.
Some, like Northwestern Chaplain Timothy Stevens, a minister with the
United Church of Christ, say the program can be especially helpful for young
students who may be exploring their sexuality for the first time.
"The program is a way of saying to students that this is a place where
they can feel welcome and can be open about their sexual preference or about
anything else," Stevens said.
"It's just a way of showing support for that population of students at a
time when they may be beginning to explore those issues."
Safe Harbor stickers also are displayed in Northwestern's Student Housing,
Counseling and International Students offices and on professors' office
doors.
Tuesday, February 27, 1996
By Brian Cox, Special to the Tribune.
GAY STUDENTS FIND A SAFE HARBOR - NU PROGRAM OPENS COMMUNICATION
LINES
Northwestern University engineering student Gary Riley was sure he would
never have the opportunity to discuss his homosexuality in or outside his
engineering classes.
After all, Riley said, sexual issues may be freely discussed in liberal
arts programs, but engineers study science, not sexual orientation.
"It can seem really difficult to find a sympathetic ear and support for
gay issues in an environment like that," said the 22-year-old undergraduate
student.
Last spring, in an effort to bridge such communications gaps, the
Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Northwestern University launched its
"Safe Harbor Program."
Now hundreds of playing-card-size Safe Harbor stickers with a sketch of a
sailboat and the slogan "I'm a safe harbor for bisexual, gay and lesbian
people," are displayed on office doors and cubicles across the Northwestern
campus.
"The person displaying the sticker is saying they are affirming of people
of all sexual orientations, that they are a `safe harbor' where it's OK to
discuss those issues," said Riley, who is also the alliance's treasurer.
"It's worked out really well."
Most importantly, bisexual, lesbian and gay students now know which
staff, faculty or graduate students they can turn to for support, said Chad
Phillips, president of the alliance.
For example, Phillips said, gay, bisexual or lesbian students who are
being harassed because of their sexual orientation may not feel comfortable
going directly to university authorities.
"Sometimes students who are just starting to deal with these issues don't
know where to go," Phillips said. "The people who have the stickers are
willing to listen. They may not be able to help, but they can point the
student in the right direction to find help."
The Safe Harbor program, similar to programs at the University of Rhode
Island, Ball State University in Indiana and Southern Illinois University, is
completely voluntary.
Some, like Northwestern Chaplain Timothy Stevens, a minister with the
United Church of Christ, say the program can be especially helpful for young
students who may be exploring their sexuality for the first time.
"The program is a way of saying to students that this is a place where
they can feel welcome and can be open about their sexual preference or about
anything else," Stevens said.
"It's just a way of showing support for that population of students at a
time when they may be beginning to explore those issues."
Safe Harbor stickers also are displayed in Northwestern's Student Housing,
Counseling and International Students offices and on professors' office
doors.
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