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The Millersville University campus community came together this week to recognize Silencing the Hate week, April 4-8. The objective: To bring attention to anti- LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, queer/questioning, intersex or allies/androgynous/asexual) name-calling, bullying and harassment.
“Making a strong presence on campus will be the Silent Witness Peacekeepers,” said Dr. Blaise Liffick. “The true value of this program was demonstrated last spring when Westboro Baptist Church threatened to protest on Millersville’s campus – the Silent Witness Peacekeepers came out in force.”
Liffick is a computer science professor at Millersville who serves as chairman of the LGBTQIA Committee of the President’s Commission of Cultural Diversity and Inclusion. He also serves as director of operations for Silent Witness Peacekeepers Alliance, a nonprofit agency he runs with his wife that provides Peacekeeper training to campuses and other groups.
The Silent Witness Peacekeepers Alliance at Millersville University is an organization of gay and straight allies that helps the LGBTQIA community have safe and peaceful events by preventing confrontations between protesters and those who wish to participate.
Training sessions were recently held for those interested in becoming Peacekeepers.
In addition, this past year brought many changes to Millersville –changes that have nothing to do with construction or the outward appearance of the University. These changes have more to do with Millersville’s mission of cultivating a diverse and inclusive community for all Millersville University members: faculty, staff and students.
One such change is the re-establishment of the Safe Zone program at Millersville.
After disappearing 15 years ago, the Safe Zone program is back to establish a visible network of University employees who wish to be supportive of LGBTQIA persons.
“Millersville is taking great strides to improve our campus,” said Liffick. “Part of that improvement is to make sure that students get a fair shot at an education regardless of their sexual orientation.”
Earlier this month, 18 Millersville faculty and staff members participated in Safe Zone training, joining the 28 who were trained previously this semester. Those trained received a door hanger featuring a pink triangle, which lets faculty, staff and students who may be struggling with LGBTQIA issues know that their door is always open.
A Campus Climate survey from 2009 revealed that homophobia and heterosexism was one of the main “issues” that needed more work at Millersville. Gender neutral bathrooms have been installed in the Student Memorial Center, which Liffick says is a positive step. In addition, the renovated library will also include gender neutral bathrooms.
For more information on these programs, contact Liffick at Blaise.Liffick@millersville.edu or 717-872-3536. To learn more about the Safe Zone program at Millersville University, visit www.millersville.edu/socialeq/SafeZones.php.
