FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 22, 2010

Media Contact:
Brian Stack 413-949-6227 bstackuri@gmail.com
http://www.uri.edu/glbt

Midnight Tonight: Students Protest LGBT Campus Safety at University of Rhode Island

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender students stand united and demand campus administrators enact inclusive safety and climate measures

KINGSTON, R.I. – Student leaders with the University of Rhode Island’s GLBT Center and Gay-Straight Alliance will participate in a nonviolent, direct action protest to demand University administration take immediate steps to ensure the safety and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students, faculty and staff.

Tonight at 12:01 a.m., University of Rhode Island students will occupy the 24-hour room in the University Library and are vigilant in remaining there until their requests for LGBT institutional support are met by college administrators.

On-campus harassment in learning spaces, common areas, residence halls and elsewhere is among several issues being protested by the students. They allege that some staff and students who have spoken out against the harassment have been intimidated into submission by the University administration.

“We have had students throwing used condoms into students’ rooms, drawing offensive images on people’s doors, and an epidemic of people yelling ‘faggots’ as they drive by the GLBT Center,” says Brian Stack, a junior and protest organizer, whose concerns are echoed by other students.

Says sophomore Justin Willner, a staff member at the GLBT Center: “The atmosphere on the Kingston campus makes it clear I am second rate and my wellbeing is not valued.”

Student leaders representing the LGBT community have met with University administrators, including Vice President for Student Affairs Tom Dougan, to discuss and implement solutions. Despite having ample time to do so, there has been little concrete progress to ensure the safety and equality of LGBT students, faulty and staff, and Dougan admits he has failed the LGBT community.

Among the students' demands are a new GLBT Center to replace the inadequate and unsafe facility currently housed in a freshman residence hall. Students also say they want an increased budget for LGBT programming – the GLBT Center finds itself understaffed, undercompensated, and without the resources needed to serve its growing community or offer workplace and sensitivity training for faculty, staff, and students.

The students’ direct action protest is peaceful and nonviolent. At all times, a door will be left open for access in and out of the room. Members of the University community, family members and the press are invited to join in the protest. Student organizers encourage other students, faculty and staff to skip their classes in protest and join them in the 24-hour room until the college administration addresses the protest concerns.

Note: One of the protest organizers Brian Stack is a graduate of the Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp. The camp was held this past July on the campus of Vanderbilt University. http://www.campuspride.org/camp.asp