Homosexual Climate at UF.

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Florida
1

<p>Hi, I've been accepted into UF and I just had a question for current students attending UF about the homosexual/lgbt climate there.</p>

<p>What is the overall feelings towards lesbian/homosexual students on campus? Is the student body as a whole somewhat accepting? Or are the large amount of students/teachers/administration strictly against that lifestyle? Also, are there any active LGBT clubs on campus? I checked the one on the UF website and it seems to be largely outdated.</p>

<p>Any personal experiences with any homophobic incidents would be appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Well I'm in a helping mood, but mind you I don't know much about all this stuff but from what I've just noticed:
There is an active LGBT community, they have a club I saw it myself the first semester I was there. UF and Gainesville seem pretty accepting.
On the hot plate recently though, there is a vote to remove an Amendment(or make one, idk) or something of the sort that will effect the rights of the LGBT community. The voting is taking place now, so we'll see how this effects.
Other than that, hopefully a LGBT CC member will read your post and talk to you, I'm just a straight member and a grad student at UF.</p>

3

<p>Thank you for the reply :]. Even if you aren't active in the lgbt community it was very informative! Though what exactly is this amendment being added/removed?</p>

4

<p>The amendment: </p>

<p>Amendment 1:</p>

<p>SHALL THE CITY CHARTER BE AMENDED TO PROHIBIT THE ADOPTION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ORDINANCES, REGULATIONS, RULES OR POLICIES THAT PROVIDE PROTECTED STATUS, PREFERENCES OR DISCRIMINATION CLAIMS BASED ON CLASSIFICATIONS, CHARACTERISTICS OR ORIENTATIONS NOT RECOGNIZED BY THE FLORIDA CIVIL RIGHTS ACT? THE ACT RECOGNIZES RACE, COLOR, CREED, RELIGION, GENDER, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, HANDICAP, MARITAL AND FAMILIAL STATUS. ADDITIONALLY, THIS AMENDMENT VOIDS EXISTING ORDINANCES CONCERNING SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, AND OTHER ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT WITH THIS AMENDMENT.</p>

<p>The "yes" argument: The current Human Rights Ordinance makes it easy for men to enter women's restrooms with criminal intent.</p>

<p>The "no" argument: The adoption of this amendment will take away human rights and allow for discrimination against homosexuals in regard to employment, housing, etc.</p>

<p>The "yes": Citizens</a> For Good Public Policy - Gainesville, FL
The "no": Vote</a> NO on 1 - Equality is Gainesville's Business</p>

<p>Early voting was all last week and today is officially election day.</p>

<p>Equality is Gainesville's Business has been VERY active on campus (I'm phone banking for them in a half-hour) and Citizens for Good Public Policy has stayed off campus. There have been TV ads and a newspaper ad from CfGPP, but no canvassing or anything.</p>

<p>Overall, the student body is accepting of LGBT issues, I would say. I do run in a particularly liberal circle, so I may have a skewed opinion, but from what I've seen Gainesville is a very progressive community and I've never heard of any incidences of hate or homophobia towards any of my gay friends.</p>

5

<p>I read about that in the alligator when I went up there the past weekend. It was an article criticizing the ads made by the Citizens for Good Public Policy. I don't see how this could pass, considering the town is largely populated by college students who usually vote on the left side of the issue..</p>

6

<p>The climate, I guess, you would say is tolerant. Probably, the most tolerant in northern florida. </p>

<p>Here are some resources they offer at UF:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>They have the gay faternity, Delta Lambda Phi. Couldn't find a website, but here is an article Gay</a>, bi, and Greek | Gainesville.com | The Gainesville Sun | Gainesville, FL and you can probably check FB.</p></li>
<li><p>There is the FRIENDS program where they train you to be a supportive person for an LGBT person. People sign up and I think RA's are required. The</a> Dean of Students Office</p></li>
<li><p>There is the Director of LGBT affairs. The person listed is new but the I received presentations from the old director and promoted an open door policy. The</a> Dean of Students Office</p></li>
<li><p>I know they want to have a gender neutral bathroom on campus, but I dont know if that became fruitful or not. </p></li>
<li><p>There is a BA and minor in Theories and Politics of Sexuality. Center</a> for Women's Studies and Gender Research</p></li>
<li><p>Gay Club. (1) [University</a> Club - Gainesville FL - Happy-Hour.net](<a href="http://www.happy-hour.net/university-club-gainesville/ds/C1A188/(2%5DUniversity"&gt;http://www.happy-hour.net/university-club-gainesville/ds/C1A188/(2)) The</a> Independent Florida Alligator: Multimedia - Drag show at University Club "

[quote]
If nothing else, go here for The Lady Pearl Show. This gay– and lesbian–friendly bar hosts a weekly drag show by the charismatic Lady Pearl herself, happening every Thursday and Friday night. The three–story building has a comfortable atmosphere, and is filled with multiple bars, pool tables and balconies. Cover for admission is usually about $5 or $6. The club is located on East University Avenue.

[/quote]
</p></li>
<li><p>Pride Student Union. (PSU) - (1) ufpride.org/url</a> [url=<a href="http://www.union.ufl.edu/involvement/search/orgdetail.asp?org=PRIDE+STUDENT+UNION%5DCenter"&gt;http://www.union.ufl.edu/involvement/search/orgdetail.asp?org=PRIDE+STUDENT+UNION]Center&lt;/a> for Student Activites and Involvement - Search Organizations</p></li>
<li><p>I have heard of gays in the regular fraternities, so they seem open to rushing a gay brother. Plus 2 gay frat presidents in the past. </p></li>
<li><p>SG cares: University</a> of Florida Student Government</p></li>
<li><p>They celebrated National Coming Out day for the last two years. There is some type of march thing around UF with the Friends people, but I remember which day I saw that. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>That's all I can think of now.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Any personal experiences with any homophobic incidents would be appreciated.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>UF is so large, most people hang out with there group of friends. I have never heard of any gay-bashing incident or harassment. I do have a group of friends that are very homophobic and I have another the are most socially liberal.</p>

<p>The most you'll get is this: (1) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VAEpMu-SOI%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VAEpMu-SOI&lt;/a> (2) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKMTp_llX7w&feature=related%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKMTp_llX7w&feature=related&lt;/a> (3) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLIxYGxyn84%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLIxYGxyn84&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<hr>

<p>They did have the "cruising" incident a couple of years ago. <a href="http://www.alligator.org/articles/2007/10/25/news/campus/cruising.txt%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.alligator.org/articles/2007/10/25/news/campus/cruising.txt&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

7

<p>The **VP of Education<a href="Evan">/b</a> gives a lot of presentations around UF, so he might be someone you want to email. </p>

<p>Center</a> for Student Activites and Involvement - Search Organizations</p>

8

<p>Kissing for Awareness: The</a> Independent Florida Alligator: News - Kissing For Amendment Awareness</p>

<p>Amendment 1 fails: GEMS</a> ELECTION RESULTS</p>

9

<p>people really need to find better things to do with their time. honestly.</p>

10

<p>why? im actually grateful for the info, ASMAJ!</p>

11

<p>A gay student won the Truman Scholarship.</p>

<p>[University</a> of Florida News - UF student chosen one of two Truman Scholars from Florida universities](<a href=“http://news.ufl.edu/2009/04/07/uf-student-chosen-one-of-two-truman-scholars-from-florida-universities/]University”>http://news.ufl.edu/2009/04/07/uf-student-chosen-one-of-two-truman-scholars-from-florida-universities/)
[The</a> H. Truman Scholarship Foundation | Meet Our Scholars](<a href=“http://www.truman.gov/scholar_listing/scholar_listing_show.htm?user_id=326749]The”>http://www.truman.gov/scholar_listing/scholar_listing_show.htm?user_id=326749)</p>