Creating Your Vision

What is your vision for the campus and/or community?

A campus, community, state, and country which is aware and supportive of people of marginalized sexual orientations and gender identities. This community would be actively involved in awareness raising events and visibly proud of its diversity.

Assessing Your Campus and Community

What campus/community problem does your blueprint address? What structures, practices and policies institutionalize the problem?

This blueprint will address the many social problems that LGBT people (especially LGBT youth) face. This includes the large drop out and suicide rates, the lack of support and resources, obstacles to sustaining LGBT groups, harassment and feelings of isolation in schools.

Nonsupporting administration, schools, and families are some of the main structures which allow for, ignore, and create many of the struggles that LGBT youth face. Many high schools, colleges, and other institutions don't include sexual orientation or gender identity in the non-discrimination policy. In addition it is legal to fire LGBT people in the state of Michigan, which means that faculty in these schools may not come out or reach out to struggling LGBT students in fear for their careers. Some religious beliefs encourage anti-LGBT biases.

What communities will you work with?

• Campus community
• Local community
• Statewide community

Setting Goals and Deliverables

• Goal 1: 200+ Participants in Day of Silence/Night of Noise at EMU's Campus
• 50 people at Day of Silence march on EMU campus
• Sell 75 Day of Silence T-shirts on campus, profits going to EMU's GSA
• Bring individuals and groups from atleast 15 other educational institutions (high school or college) to DOS march and/or NON performance.
• 200 people at night of noise performance
• Goal 2: GSA Leadership Training and Mentoring Program for high school students in Michigan
• 50 mentees from highschools
• 50 adult mentors from colleges and other organizations
• Bring students from atleast 30 different highschools or youth programs

What is your primary approach? Leadership and Capacity Building

Why did you choose this approach?

This approach gives LGBT and allied youth the competencies and capabilities to create or maintain sustainable GSA's in their schools. It builds a network to continue providing resources, guidance, and support. This network can also strengthen the LGBT community and movement across Michigan by preparing ways of effective communication and collaborating together.

Did you have secondary approaches? What are they?

Advocacy, activism, network, and alliance building. The training will encourage youth to continue activism in their schools and communities, and advocate for safer school and inclusive non-discrimination policies. The blueprint also offers many networking and alliance building opportunities at both the Day of Silence events and during the leadership training and mentorship program.

What will your tactics and activities be?

Day of Silence and Night of Noise are awareness raising events which also help unite the LGBTA community.
The Leadership Training and Mentorship Program will empower highschool youth and create a network of GSA's, campus organizations, and community resources.

Connecting Back to Vision

How does your strategy contribute to your vision for your campus and/or your community?

This strategy creates a more united and involved campus and statewide LGBT community. It empowers LGBTA youth by proving the network, guidance, resources, and skills they may need to become effective leaders and activists in theirs schools and communities and continue work a socially just society affirming people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Resources and skills you will need

What skills do you need for this approach?

Working with media, marketing, some internet skills, Grant writing and fundraising.