{"id":5113,"date":"2010-09-20T11:00:39","date_gmt":"2010-09-20T16:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=5113"},"modified":"2010-09-20T11:00:39","modified_gmt":"2010-09-20T16:00:39","slug":"keeping-it-positive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2010\/09\/keeping-it-positive\/","title":{"rendered":"Keeping it positive"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Lynne

Lynne Prout and Marla Portfilio display a Positive Space poster.<\/p><\/div>\n

After six years, they are becoming ubiquitous \u2014 white rectangular cards with rainbow swirls, and uplifting words written in distinctive font. \u201cPositive Space.\u201d<\/p>\n

The cards are a show of support for the lesbian, gay, bi, trans, two-spirited, queer and questioning community. This fall, the Positive Space<\/a> campaign enters its sixth year. Organizers hope it has made the campus a little more accepting since 2004.<\/p>\n

\u201cGenerally speaking, it raises visibility and shows that this is a sector of our community that is welcome here,\u201d said Lynne Prout, manager in the Office of Human Rights and Equity Services.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would hope that when students in particular see (the cards), they feel empowered.\u201d<\/p>\n

About 500 members of the Brock community have participated in the program since 2004, displaying a Positive Space card or button upon completion. Staff and students take a two-hour workshop that first clarifies the definitions of terms such as two-spirited, queer and transgender. Participants are guided through individual and group activities that challenge them to see life through someone else\u2019s eyes. It also suggests how they can promote a more accepting environment.<\/p>\n

Once the workshop is completed, participants are given cards to display in their rooms or workstations. The cards act as a beacon for those looking for assistance or a friendly face. But more than that, they are a symbol of welcoming, especially for newer students, Prout said.<\/p>\n

\u201cFairly early on, I got an email from an incoming student who saw the posters,\u201d she said. \u201cHe said, \u2018I\u2019m so excited to see that this is a place where I\u2019m welcome. My high school wasn\u2019t like that.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

A graduate student first started the program as a social justice masters thesis. Since then, there have been about 75 workshops. Three sessions are planned between now and November.<\/p>\n

Volunteers facilitate sessions and sitting on the steering committee. Attendees are often allies of the lesbian, gay, bi, trans, two-spirited, queer and questioning community who want to become more comfortable and knowledgeable, Prout said. Some join to learn to better support their friends.<\/p>\n

Not everyone who joins has to display a card or button, said Marla Portfilio, human rights and equity officer in the Office of Human Rights and Equity Services.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to make that level of commitment,\u201d she said. \u201cYou can just come for the information.\u201d<\/p>\n

Upcoming Positive Space sessions:<\/p>\n