Q. Do you have suggestions
for strategies on how to be more inclusive in our programming efforts
and get people of color involved and attending our programs?
A. The very best
way to be inclusive and involve lgbt people of color in your programs,
of course, is to have lgbt people of color in your center or office,
as employees or volunteers. In addition, three basic strategies
come to mind:
1) offer programs that focus on lgbt
people of color;
2) do good outreach to lgbt people of color, including
both campus-and community-based people of color organizations;
and
3) build strong relationships between your office
or center, and any offices or centers on your campus that work
primarily with racial/ethnic minority students.
1) There are many, many good films and videos, speakers,
and other programming options that focus on lgbt people of color.
The film distribution companies Third World Newsreel (www.twn.org),
Women Make Movies (www.wmm.com),
Frameline Distribution (www.frameline.org),
First Run/Icarus Films (http://www.frif.com/)
and others are good sources for films and videos. Make sure that
a substantial number of your programs each year focus on lgbt people
of color and their issues.
2) Someone from your center should build a relationship
with both on-and off-campus lgbt people of color organizations,
so that you can be sure their members know about programs they may
find of interest. At the least, find out what types and avenues
of publicity are most likely to reach the lgbt people of color community.
You may want to ask groups to co-sponsor events with you; this is
a good way to build a relationship and get members of the groups
to come to the programs.
3) You should also build strong relationships with
your colleagues in campus-based offices or centers that serve racial/ethnic
minority students and employees. Establish personal relationships
if possible; invite your colleagues to lunch or other social occasions.
Offer to co-sponsor or help with their programs. Support and attend
their programs. Once you have established a relationship, you can
ask these colleagues to help you with outreach to the people of
color communities on campus.
[This question was answered by Dr. Saralyn
Chesnut, Director of Emory University's Office
of Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Life]
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