FLINT -- Just as the nation studied the University of Michigan’s first openly gay student body president Chris Armstrong’s appearance on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 Wednesday night, students at U-M Flint continue stepping up outreach efforts for those who may feel targeted because of their sexuality.
Armstrong has been the focus of Michigan Assistant Attorney General Andrew Shirvell’s online blog, accusing him of a radical pro-gay agenda at U-M. As some students watched re-plays of his appearance or talked about it on the Flint campus, administrators pushed forward their “Strong Enough to Walk Away” campaign, encouraging harassed students to take a stand by seeking help. Students back the move as well.
“If this happened to another group of people,” said Student Senator Alex Benda,” say if an elected went after blacks or Hispanics or other people, this would have been blown up everywhere.” The campaign lists several available resources including the LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Trans-gendered) student center as a place for people to talk about cases of harassment.
Another resource is this website: http://www.umflint.edu/lgbt/. Here students or members of the community can click on a portal leading to a bias complaint entry database. They can then detail the types of harassment they are facing, and request counseling or help with notifying various authorities. The site indicates information submitted is secure and reports and accepts anonymous reports as well.
The site will lead you to more information on workshops and special events designed to increase tolerance and help people cope with incidents of harassment.
