Visible Voices is a popular educational program adapted and coordinated by the GLBT Resource Center. It has been a valuable educational tool used to inform students about the often times misunderstood issues surrounding gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth and their families.
Visible Voices Program Goals:
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to educate the Colorado State University community and the public about what it means to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex or an ally of LGBTQQI people and communities;
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to dispel myths and stereotypes about LGBTQQI people;
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to build understanding and acceptance through open and honest dialogue;
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to provide positive role models of LGBTQQI people and allies and to let other LGBTQQI people and allies know that they are not alone;
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to present information about LGBTQQI people in a non-threatening, nonjudgemental atmosphere;
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to offer LGBTQand heterosexual/cisgender ally-identified students, staff, faculty, and community members an opportunity for self-growth and training in leadership skills, such as public speaking ;
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to challenge participants so that they may gain a greater level of understanding which helps them to actively consider what it is they believe and why and how they came to accept these beliefs.
What to Expect from a Visible Voices Panel:
Our volunteers have spoken in classrooms, residence halls, churches, and many arenas,
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Panels typically consist of two to four people, who are part of the GLBT or ally communities. One of the volunteers will write information on the board about the GLBT Resource Center, any pertinent announcements, and the panelists' names.
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The panels consist of five separate segments: personal introductions, introduction to the GLBT Resource Center, coming out stories, Q & A, and evaluations. This provides a structure for the group we speak with and the panelists.
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We distribute blank index cards, and then ask for all of them to be turned in. This helps people feel comfortable asking us questions, and we can be good stewards of the planet by not wasting all of the unused index cards.
In Others' Words ...
Some audience members commented on what they learned or were taking away from the presentations. Here are a few examples:
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"I've more or less always considered people who didn't fit into a certain box as "weird" but now I understand that more or less they have their own community, they count as a person/group. I'd never thought about it that way"
The process of coming out is not just something someone gay has to come to terms/deal with"
"how hurtful some of the phrases we say can be, how unaccepting some people/groups can be, how everybody's stories about life are different"
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Inviting Panels to Your Classes, Groups and/or Organizations
Our volunteers have traveled across the CSU campus and beyond, including church youth groups and community organizations.
If you are interested in using this program to enhance your curriculum or community, or for more information, please read on to learn how to invite us in to your classroom or organization:
1. Contact the GLBT Resource Center at 970-491-4342 or the director at foula.dimopoulos@colostate.edu if you have any questions.
2. Complete the program request form (click on the hyperlink) and return it to our office by using one of the methods below. The request form covers a lot of topics, including choices of dates, objectives, class/group sizes, and special requests. We ask for three dates because it increases the likelihood that our volunteers can be present at a panel. Special requests can include a variety of requests, such as "only students", "intergenerational panel", etc. We strive to complete each request in its totality.
Email: foula.dimopoulos@colostate.edu
Hand Delivery: 174 Lory Student Center, on the north side of campus near the Campus book store
Snail Mail:
GLBT Resource Center
ATTN: Visible Voices Intern
174 Lory Student Center
8033 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523
I Want to Volunteer!
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Trainings are offered once per semester as long (must have at least five volunteers-in-training). Spring 2013 training will be held on Friday, February 1, 2013 (5 -- 8pm) and Saturday, February 2 & Sunday, February FEbruary 3 (9a.m. -- 5:00 p.m.). Applications are available on our main page.
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Once you complete and return your application, we will have an information meeting (before the training).
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Training includes topics such as vocabulary, concepts related to LGBTQ communities, nonviolent communication, mock panels and more.
Make a human connection. Connect. Educate Act.