Women's Center & LGBTQ+ Programs
What's happening April 12-19
A word from Jenn
I hope you're been doing well this last two weeks as we've moved to online/remote learning and work. I know that for some of you this transition has been difficult and challenging. I know that others of you have found that you kinda dig this remote learning/work stuff. However you are feeling these days know that all of us at GC care tremendously about you and miss being on campus with you! I know how much I have looked forward to weekly Women's Center staff meetings - its one of the times each week I know I'll get to see all my wonderful students! If you are missing being in community with other people I encourage you to attend one of our virtual programs - it'll be a chance to see some new faces and have some good conversation. Best wishes to you all.
- Dr. Jennifer Graham
Director, Women's Center
Lavender Graduation
Lavender Graduation is a special ceremony that serves to celebrate graduating LGBTQ+ students and allies for their strength and persistence in the face of adversity, as well as their achievements and contributions to the university. We are inviting graduates and those who wish to support them to attend our virtual ceremony on Friday, April 24th, at 4 p.m. All RSVPs must be received by Thursday, April 23rd at noon.
We ask that graduates who wish to be recognized fill out the form here: https://bit.ly/gclavgrad2020grad
Any member of the Georgia College community who would like to attend in support of our Lavender Graduates, please RSVP here in order to receive the link to the ceremony: https://gclavgrad2020.eventbrite.com
If there is a faculty, staff, or student you would like to nominate for one of our awards, please do so here: http://bit.ly/gclavgradawards20
The Lavender Graduation Ceremony was created in 1995 at the University of Michigan by Dr. Ronni Sanlo. Once denied the opportunity to attend the graduations of her biological children because of her sexual orientation, she came to understand the commonly felt rejection and discouragement experienced by her students. Georgia College's first Lavender Graduation Ceremony was held in 2012.
(Lavender Graduation 2020 is for anyone graduating in 2020 - if you are a December graduate, please feel free to participate in this ceremony as we only have a Spring ceremony at this time.)
Checking In From A Distance
This past week we hosted a Facebook Live chat about being an active bystander from a distance. We wanted to share the text of our chat with everyone in case you missed it.
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My name is Emily Brookshire and I am a Program Coordinator at the Georgia College Women’s Center. As many of you know, this month is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This is an unusual time and that makes it even more important to help victims of sexual violence and abuse get access to help and support.
Many people are staying at home in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Those experiencing intimate partner violence or child sexual abuse are at particular risk. Right now, in order to aid in flattening the curve of this public health crisis, people are potentially forced to remain in close quarters with perpetrators of abuse and violence. There is concern from professionals and advocates that, in this time of crisis, the intensity and frequency of abuse will escalate. It would follow the pattern witnessed during the economic downturn of 2008 and immediately after 9/11, Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Katrina. And here in Georgia, Governor Kemp has alluded to this concern during his press conference last week.
For some context: Katie Ray-Jones, chief executive of the National Domestic Violence Hotline told the NYT:
“We know that any time an abusive partner may be feeling a loss of power and control — and everybody’s feeling a loss of power and control right now — it could greatly impact how victims and survivors are being treated in their homes,”
This quarantine is making it much harder for folks to find ways to support survivors, so as we participate in SAAM, we want to think even more critically about the resources that are available, how we can access them, and how we can still check in from a distance. So we wanted to take this time to answer questions from our community about how to be an active support system in the hopes that it helps you and maybe answers some questions you also might have had!
One question we received was: What are some ways that you can check on a survivor without putting them in danger?
Many advocates promote texting in this time of crisis. Despite that being a medium that could be monitored, it is more discrete for many folks and is a way to share information quickly and privately in shared spaces. Stay attuned to messages that seem off- or communication that differs from the norm. That gut feeling will push you into more consistent outreach. And that more routine conversation is what will allow someone to have access to ask for help!
There was an awesome question sent in about that asked: How can we suggest that someone reach out to counseling services remotely without crossing a boundary?
It is okay to say that you don’t have all of the answers! Part of being an ally is knowing when you have reached the limit of what you are able to offer in terms of support. A great way to remind someone about counseling options is by saying: “If you feel like you need more support, I know that the Counseling Center is still taking appointments. I know I don’t have all the answers and might only be a piece of what you need, so they might help make you feel even more comfortable and secure. Just know I am here for you every step of the way!” That way, your friend gets to make a decision on their own time and in a way that makes them comfortable- and you were the amazing friend that provided that resource!
A really important question that we received was: What are the resources available to those who may need to leave their residence because of a threat but have nowhere else to go?
If you or someone you know needs this type of support, access The National Domestic Violence Chat at thehotline.org (or you can text LOVEIS to 22522) or The National Sexual Assault Chat at online.rainn.org. Both of these are confidential, with safe exits for phones that might be monitored by an abusive partner, and a member of these organizations can help locate shelters that are currently accepting victims during COVID-19. Here in Georgia, individuals can access the statewide Domestic Violence hotline at 1-800-334-2836. The advocates on the other end of the line can listen, provide support, engage in safety planning, and help individuals find the closest shelter. And of course, call 911 in the case of an emergency. Law enforcement, with the help of area advocates still working remotely, can help you access DV/SA shelters and safe homes open in your area.
A final question was: How can we offer support to survivors who may have been evicted from their place of living (residence hall), and now have to be in a place where they don't have any support?
In terms of help and resources, the previous hotline information is a great start. But in addition to that, it is important to remember the survivors who are now home with family or friends who are unaware of someone’s victimization or unsupportive of someone’s healing journey. That can be very isolating and harmful to folks, mentally and emotionally. So check-in! Having a routine check-in, where support is offered and you listen actively to your friend who might not have a place to talk at home, is one of the best ways to be an ally in this time. And one thing you can do to ensure your friend is comfortable talking with you is to ask if there is a platform that they prefer! For someone who needs to talk but can’t always have a phone call with people sharing their home or space, it’s okay to text about these issues. It is the conversation and active “listening” that matters, no matter the platform!
Some final information for y’all are a few extra hotlines and resources that are helpful as we navigate how best to support in this time:
The StrongHearts Native Helpline is for victims of domestic/sexual violence in Native communities. It is available 7am-10pm CT and is confidential: 1−844-762-8483.
The Trans LifeLine for peer support for trans folks. It’s available 9am-3am CT and is also confidential:1-877-565-8860.
The Deaf Hotline is available 24/7 through video phone (1-855-812-1001), email and chat for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled survivors.
And for our Bobcats who are still in the Milledgeville area, remember that there is The Bright House of Milledgeville as a resource in our area! The Bright House provides services to victims of sexual assault or child abuse and has a 24/7 crisis line for folks in the community to access if they need help or support.
Circle of Love is a domestic violence agency that serves Baldwin County and provides services to victims of dating or domestic violence. They can be reached at 706-453-4017.
There is also a teen text line here in Georgia: 706-765-8019
All of these resources, along with other support options and mental health resources referred by The Bright House (thank you, Bright House!) will be posted online, on the WC FB and Insta, so you can refer back if you need too! [Resources are posted above this article in the newsletter.]
Thank you so much for joining us today and learning more about how to best support the survivors in your life. In this unique time, it is so easy to forget about some of the more marginalized folks in our communities but one of the best ways that we can combat violence and make people feel as safe as possible is by stepping up and being active bystanders and allies. So thank you for taking those steps and being an incredible part of our community. If you have any questions, always feel free to reach out to the GC Women’s Center.
Check out our programs for this week!
LGBT[ea]
Take Care
Virtual Office Hours with Jenn
Dolly Parton's America Podcast Discussion
Join the discussion by
1. Logging into your WebEx account
2. Joining meeting number: 613 374 973
or this link: https://bit.ly/WCdolly
Password: WC2020
Take Back the Night
1. Visit http://bit.ly/candlepasstbtn20
2. Copy/duplicate the "Page 2 - Example" image below
3. Use the copy as a base to create or decorate your own candle image. Feel free to change the design as you want, but please include a candle and the event text.
4. Download your personal image
5. Complete the form at http://bit.ly/tbtn20form so we can share everyone's candles during the week of April 20th as part of our Virtual Take Back the Night
6. Feel free to share to your own personal social media! Tag @gcprojectbraveand @gcwomenscenter, and use the hashtag #gcsaam
Feminist Paint Night
Koru Mindfulness
Learn mindfulness and meditation. Join our 4-week class.
Wednesdays at 4:00 pm starting April 22.
Register at: https://bit.ly/WCkoruApril
#FeedYourMindFriday
More to Come!
Stay Connected!
Find us on Facebook at:
GC Women's Center: https://www.facebook.com/gcsuwomenscenter/
GC Project BRAVE: https://www.facebook.com/GCProjectBRAVE/
GC LGBTQ+ Programs: https://www.facebook.com/GCLGBT/
Find us on Instagram at:
GC Women's Center: @gcwomenscenter
GC Project BRAVE: @gcprojectbrave
GC LGBTQ+ Programs: @gc_lgbtq
Email: womenscenter@gcsu.edu
Website: www.gcsu.edu/womenscenter
Phone: (478)445-8519