I Support "Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Senator"

We, the undersigned: students, faculty, staff and alumni of Southern Methodist University (SMU); urge the members of the 96th Student Senate to create a "Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Senator" in the Student Senate. We recognize that the Student Senate acknowledges the necessary representation of Asian-American, African-American, Hispanic-American and International students by allowing four Special Interest Senators to represent each group of students, according to the Student Senate By-Laws, Article II, Section 2. Likewise, we consider the representation of LGBT students as important and necessary to the decision-making processes of the student government at SMU.

Additionally, we consider the 2001 study by Dr. Jane M. Simoni and Dr. Karina L. Walters, titled "Heterosexual Identity and Heterosexism: Recognizing Privilege to Reduce Prejudice", that heterosexism, or "the denial of rights and privileges to non-heterosexuals on a social level..., contributes to anti-gay violence." We also consider the facts, according to the 2003 study by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, titled "Campus Climate: For Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender People: A National Perspective," that 20\% of the people surveyed responded that they feared physical harm because of their sexual orientation or gender identity and 51\% concealed their identities to avoid intimidation. In addition, we consider the Princeton Review's ranking of SMU as the 14th most homophobic campus in the United States to be an issue of utmost concern.

Furthermore, we believe that LGBT representation in the student government would be appealing to prospective students and would likely convince more students to remain at SMU. It would demonstrate the Senate's commitment to LGBT issues and concerns. It would encourage a discussion about LGBT issues on campus, as well as in classrooms and in the Senate. A "Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Senator" could work with other student organizations to provide educational programming centered on LGBT issues and concerns. This position would also provide an opportunity for LGBT students to address sensitive or personal issues to a Student Senator that they have elected and trust, and who could take direct action on the students behalf, if necessary, to protect their privacy.

Therefore, we believe that the Student Senate should strive to create a safe campus for LGBT students, to foster an academic environment that represents a diverse student-body, and to promote opportunities for intellectual growth. Thus, we believe a "Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Senator" in the Student Senate would advance these goals to the SMU community and the society at large.