iDiversity UMD

11/22/2019

[a stack of three chocolate chip cookies with the words 'Bake Sale' over them in cursive]
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It's that time of year! TODAY come to the iSchool Graduate Student Lounge on the fourth floor of Hornbake South to support iDiversity (and your sweet tooth). We'll be there from 1PM - 5PM with all the baked goods you need to push through the last few days before Thanksgiving.

12/16/2018

Thanks for the helpful guide, Defend Yourself!

While it's powerful to talk about racism, sexism, LGBTQ rights and more, remember it's not your job to change people's minds - certainly not in one sitting.

11/27/2018

Today is a great day to raise or contribute money to organizations doing some good work, both in your local community and in our global community. Some nonprofits do some more harm than good though, so we're taking this moment to give you alternatives to common, problematic charities. Since we know most of you are broke grad students, we encourage you to pass this list on to your friends and relatives with actual income ;)

["Happy Giving Tuesday" on a semi-transparent pink circle over some flowers]

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Don't support: Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks has been repeatedly criticized for its lack of inclusion of actual autistic people, for its medicalization of neurodivergence, and for the harmful rhetoric it uses when discussing autistic people, particularly the effect autistic children can have on a family. Their use of funds has also been under question. Although they claim to be addressing these problems, they have not made substantial strides in doing so.

Try instead: The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network
ASAN is a network for autistic people, by autistic people. It provides community support and advocacy resources, and is focused on developing a world where autistic people have equal rights and equal access.
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Don't support: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
Another organization that has recently faced questions about its budget, PETA also has a horrifying rate of euthanasia for animals it is responsible for. Their ads, known for "shock value", have a history of being extremely racist, classist, and exploitative of genuine human rights concerns.

Try instead: a municipal shelter in your area
Municipal shelters are often dramatically underfunded and are obligated to take in any animal that is found or dropped off at their location. The money you give a municipal shelter will help them find as many homes as possible for the animals in their care, and to make sure that animals are as well cared for as possible while waiting for adoption. Most municipal shelter also take gifts in kind, like kitty litter or used towels, so even if you don't have money to spare you can help out!
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Don't support: The Salvation Army
This organization is inherently evangelical and has campaigned against LGBTQIA+ rights. It has been known to turn away LGBTQIA folks from its shelters, including Jennifer Gale, a transwoman who died in 2008 as a result of being refused shelter. The Salvation Army continues to show a lack of respect for the basic humanity of LGBTQIA folks and often makes receiving assistance contingent on adhering to Christian fundamentalist ideals.

Try instead: Casa Ruby
This nonprofit is located in Washington, DC and is the bilingual service for LGBTQIA+ people in need of urgent assistance in the are. Statistically, LGBT people are more likely to experience homelessness but particularly youth (20% - 40% experience housing insecurity) and transgender people (approximately 20% experience housing insecurity) according to the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. Casa Ruby provides emergency lodging, meals, job seeking, and help with transportation and medication costs for people in need. For bonus points, this nonprofit was founded and is operated by a transwoman of color.
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Need more ideas? Try donating sanitary products or cash to your local food bank instead of canned food - or just look around your local community! Large organizations get much more attention than local ones, but local nonprofits can sometimes do the most good.

11/22/2018

It’s Thanksgiving - the holiday where you find out what shenanigans racist Uncle Joey has been up to this year, loudly and ad nauseum. There is a general climate of grin-and-bear-it acceptance that has been cultivated around the holidays, but if you are in a place of privilege and it is safe for you to do so, we encourage you to make your allyship a verb and have those tough conversations with your relatives. Even if it doesn’t stop your racist uncle from being racist, it will expose other members of your family to some new ideas and potentially let any closeted members of the family know that you’re on their side.
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[image of a place setting at a dinner table with a blue banner across the middle reading "Be a Thanksgiving Ally: make your gathering more inclusive"]
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1. Hear something, say something
If you hear someone use a slur or say something prejudiced and inappropriate, say something about it. Correct people if they use the incorrect pronoun for someone. You don’t have to give an hour-long lecture on the politics of language or why slurs are inappropriate - a simple “hey man, that’s not cool” can suffice.
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2. Be a buddy
If someone at your gathering is disabled, d/Deaf, or a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, they may feel uncomfortable or isolated. Make it a point to spend some time with them over the course of the day, and invite them to participate in group conversations or activities.
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3. Enjoy yourself mindfully
For people with eating disorders or who are recovering from alcoholism or other addictions, being around a lot of food and alcohol, common at holidays, can be triggering for them. Don’t comment on how much or what other people are eating or drinking!
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4. Let there be space
Large groups of people can be stressful for those with anxiety and sensory issues. Ensure there is a space for them to step away if they need to - a room that has a closing door or even just the back porch can make a huge difference.
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5. Have those tough conversations
If it is safe for you to do so, confront prejudicial statements. If it seems like someone is just misinformed or new to the topic at hand, try calling them in compassionately by explaining why what they did was inappropriate and what appropriate behavior is. Find out more information about calling in vs calling out from Everyday Feminism (https://go.umd.edu/UmW).
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6. Be ready to learn
Even when we try our hardest, there are always perspectives we have not considered and information we are unaware of. If you accidentally cross a line and someone calls you out on it, listen respectfully, thank them for their help (and apologize!), and work on being better in the future.

11/22/2018

The holidays (and especially Thanksgiving) can be a rough time for people, especially those who struggle with eating disorders, other mental illness, or who are at odds, for whatever reason, with their biological family. We recognize that today might be more stressful than not, and we hope that the following list of resources might help make today a more positive experience for you. If you have any resources that aren’t on this list, post them in the comments!
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[pumpkins in front of a hay bushel with a small arrow containing the words "Thanksgiving self-care resources"]

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1. For crisis (including suicidal ideation):
National Su***de Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
US National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1−800−799−7233

**For LGBTQIA+ folks:
(aged 13-24) The Trevor Project Crisis Line: 1-866-488-7386
(aged 13-24; open 3PM-10PM) TrevorText: Text START to 678678

** For transgender folks:
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860

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2. For Anxiety/Stress
7Cups: a live chat with someone who can help with stress and anxiety. Available in browser or as an app on iPhone, iPad, Android, or Pixel. Run by volunteers, not trained professionals.

Pacifica: calming activities rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy to help you feel better now. Available as an app on iPhone, iPad, Android, or Pixel.

Wysa: AI chat and center for activities rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy to help you feel better. Involves a cute penguin-esque critter. Available as an app on iPhone, iPad, Android, or Pixel, as well as online (https://www.wysa.io/)

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3. For Self-Harm
Calm Harm: provides a variety of coping activities to help you fight the urge to self-harm. Available as an app for iPhone, iPad, Android, or Pixel.

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4. General Feel-Better Resources
ZooBorns (https://www.zooborns.com/): a blog that posts pictures of baby animals from rare and endangered species born in zoos and aquariums. You can browse chronologically or search by animal.

Gruntle (http://gruntle.me/): pictures of disgruntled animals to help you ungruntle yourself.

Monochrome (Android and Pixel app): a fidget on your phone

10/25/2018

Trans people exist and deserve human rights, regardless of what the government states. How can you support the trans community? Are you telling, instead of listening? What does it mean to be a “safe space”?

now! Infographic by The 519 Space for Change

03/26/2018

Learning Community Meeting
March 30th, 1pm-2pm
1309 Edward St. John
RSVP: go.umd.edu/ttlc2

The second Learning Community meeting will focus on trans inclusion in the classroom environment, specifically the ins and outs of using pronouns to create a welcoming environment for all students. This workshop will be lead in collaboration with the Teaching and Learning Transformation Center!