Campus Resources and Web Pages
Started in 1998, the President’s Commission on GLBT Issues has been working ever since to improve the welfare of the university GLBT community. The commission is broken down into several subcommittees that tackle individual problems and plan events.
The university-recognized student organization for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Ally community of IUP. Meets weekly (Tuesdays 7:00–9:00 p.m.). Organizes on-campus activities, including speakers’ panel.
Health Education
Part of the University Health Service, this unit provides education and training by staff and peers on topics including relationships, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual assault, and sexual orientation.
- Associate Director: Malinda Cowles, M.A., 724-357-6476
- Assistant Director: Ann Sesti, M.A., 724-357-4799
This department provides both individual and group counseling to all interested students. A counseling group for students dealing with issues related to their sexual orientation is offered frequently. The center has a lending library, primarily for student-clients, including various GLBT titles.
- Director: Kim Weiner, Ph.D., 724-357-2621
- Assistant Director: Rita Drapkin, Ph.D., 724-357-2621
This office is designated to handle concerns related to discrimination or harassment, including sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Staff and Faculty Concerns: Helen Kennedy (hkennedy@iup.edu), assistant to the president for Social Equity, senior Human Resource manager, 724-357-4874
- Student Concerns: Theo Turner, 724-357-4040
Women’s Studies
- For more information, go to 103 Stabley Library
- Director: Chauna Craig, ccraig@iup.edu, 724-357-4753
Indiana Community
Most of the resources in the Indiana community are those offered on campus. Here are the local resources of which we are aware:
These are dances held monthly at the Chevy Chase Community Center, which many of the GLBT students and allies attend. For information about the dates of the dances, contact Pride Alliance (see above).
This local church is designated as a welcoming congregation, an official designation within the Unitarian religion of those congregations that are intentionally welcoming of those of all sexual and gender orientations.
- Reverend Joan Sabatino, 724-349-2776
Indiana Progressive Alliance
This is an alliance of progressive individuals, both from the campus and the community, that are working together for a more just and humane climate in Indiana. During Spring 2001, they initiated an anti-homophobia task force (Indiana Cares) to address GLBT issues in the Indiana community.
Indiana Cares: Campaign to End Homophobia
Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania Region
Located in Squirrel Hill (east side of Pittsburgh), this organization provides resources for the GLBT community such as an information phoneline (412-422-0114), meeting spaces for many Pittsburgh GLBT organizations, Friday night youth group (7:30–10:00 p.m., under 22), youthline (412-422-1633), library, and a newsletter.
Located in the Garfield area of Pittsburgh, this is a full-service community mental health facility which provides services to the GLBT community and their significant others, as well as a full range of services for HIV+ individuals and their significant others. 412-441-9786
A peer-based support group for transsexuals. For male-to-female, female-to-male, pre-op, mid-op, pre-transition, and post-transition. 412-441-6206. E-mail: ptsg88@hotmail.com.
National Organizations
An organization dedicated to promoting positive visibility of the GLBT community in the media, GLAAD is responsible for much of the attention paid to GLBT concerns in television and print today.
Acting on the idea that gender rights are human rights, Gender PAC works to end gender-based violence and discrimination. Gender PAC defines gender as something performed and perceivable, thus everyone at some time or other has been made to feel inadequate because of his or her gender.
The most prominent gay rights group in the U.S., the HRC focuses on legislation and the election of gay-friendly officials. The site contains news briefs, information on officials, and advice on such issues as adoption, domestic partner agreements, and schools.
The NGLTF is a mobilizing organization that focuses on building up the gay rights movement from the local level. It offers training on activism at local, state, and national levels.
The largest ally organization in the U.S. is PFLAG, a group of some of the staunchest supporters of the GLBT community. They offer support not only to family and friends of gays and lesbians, but to GLBT people as well. Directions are given on the site for starting a local chapter.
SPARC is Pennsylvania's mega-coalition of gay rights groups and activists. It coordinates and networks members from every area of the state. When visiting the web site be sure to check out the STUMP (Student Mobilization Project) section.
Up-to-date news and events for intersexed individuals. There is a lot of information on where and how to obtain books, medical information, and people.
National Sites of Interest
The Advocate is the most respected newsmagazine for and by the GLBT community. Issues can be purchased at IUP’s Co-op Store.
Curve is a popular magazine among lesbians and is noted for its humor and fearlessness in dealing with issues that face lesbians and bisexual women.
A popular news site and on-line personals column, Gay.com is most well known for its chat rooms and instant messenger service.
The glossy mag of the gay community, Out focuses on human interest stories, celebrity news, and fashion.
Like its sister site Gay.com, Planet Out is an on-line news source and means of communication.
Queer Nation is an on-line comic that explores the possibilities of gay and lesbian superheroes. It is both humorous and angry.
A site for transgendered people—silly.
Resources for gay interests and issues, including civil rights and AIDS information.
A great place to find a wide variety of resources for bisexual individuals. Chat with people, browse through lists of books, post and browse personals, and even find out what events are happening near you.
A list of Internet links concerning HIV/AIDS information and news.
