Mission
Located in Spring Arbor, Michigan, the Student
Alliance For Equality (S.A.F.E.) is a student-led group,
open to the community, which exists to promote equality and
diversity. We strive to create a safe environment for
students who support and identify with the GLBTQ community.
S.A.F.E. will accomplish this by creating a support network
for GLBTQ individuals, fighting discrimination, and
promoting equal treatment through education, awareness and
advocacy.
Brief
History
SAFE originally began activity under the title Spring Arbor
GSA and was founded by students at Spring Arbor University.
The group was founded as a facebook group in July 2006.
Originally only intended to be a group for online
discussions, the need for an actual dialogue on the issues
facing TBLGQ (transgender, bisexual, lesbian, gay, and
questioning) students, staff, and allies at SAU became
quickly apparent. Members of the group became enraged when
SAU fired a transgender professor and associate dean in
February 2007 and quickly organized to offer their voices
in aid. The transgender professor has since made a legal
settlement with the university, but SAFE remains,
courageous and empowered to speak truth to power and stand
in solidarity with the TBLGQ community and allies in Spring
Arbor.
President-
Andrew Hinkle
Further
Explanation:
The Spring Arbor GSA is open to everyone in Spring Arbor,
including those who are students, faculty, or alumni of
SAU, and all else around the world who support the fight
against homophobia and discrimination against the GLBTQ
community. While we realize and respect that this group
could be considered "on the edge" for some in the Spring
Arbor community, we believe our existence is a necessary
growing pain to further justice and equality in our little
corner of the world. The SA-GSA is a place to exchange
ideas, discover allies, share stories, and discuss how to
better end religious discrimination against the GLBTQ
community in Spring Arbor and find ways to create more open
minds and hearts.
IN REGARDS TO SPRING ARBOR UNIVERSITY:
THIS GROUP HAS NO OFFICIAL TIES TO SAU
As it is currently understood, students who attend SAU and
identify as members of the GLBTQ community are allowed to
openly express themselves in that manner as SAU students.
The catch is these same students are not allowed to engage
in relationships "other than friendships" with members of
the same-sex. This constitutes discrimination, but seems to
be the current university policy. This policy is not
administered fairly and the school in some situations has
attempted to restrain GLBTQ students from expressing
themselves or in other ways suppressed them. One of the
main missions of the SA-GSA is to expose this
discrimination and help questioning students realize they
have choices.
We do not think anyone expects SAU to change its position
on GLBTQ issues anytime in the near future. What we can do
is speak out as individuals to change the hearts and minds
of our friends, and to challenge discriminatory notions and
stigma we encounter in a positive manner. It is important
to create space for open discussion on related issues and
allow a compassionate space for questioning students.
Allowing questioning or closeted students to feel isolated,
hated, and alone is wrong, hating oneself and feeling like
there is no one to talk to can be extremely destructive
emotionally, spiritually, as well as physically.
We do NOT believe sexual orientations other than
heterosexual are deviant from 'normal'. We do not believe
that an individual's sexual identity is a choice. We do not
encourage ex-gay groups, or re-orientation of sexuality. An
individual's sexual identity is a gift from God; it
reflects diversity in creation and should be explored,
embraced, and celebrated.
___________
If you are a student facing discrimination because
of your sexuality please contact us for assistance, you
name and situation will remain confidential (please do not
email from SAU webmail accounts as they are not always
secure)
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