\n Published: 6\/12\/2024\n <\/p>\n
Reading Time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n As we enter Pride month<\/a> let\u2019s discuss how colleges and universities can support faculty and students in the LGBTQ+ community and highlight influential LGBTQ+ voices in the education space.<\/p>\n We understand how important it is for students to feel safe to learn and grow in their environment. Creating and fostering a safe educational space for all students, but especially those belonging to marginalized groups, is the first step towards supporting faculty and students. One way to establish a safe space is by implementing policies and procedures that protect students and faculty from harassment and discrimination. Another is to provide facilities and housing that are inclusive, safe spaces for LGBTQ+<\/a> students, especially trans and gender non-binary students.<\/p>\n \u201cEmpathy fuels connection.\u201d \u2013 Bren\u00e9 Brown<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As famed author and researcher, Bren\u00e9 Brown<\/a> once said, \u201cEmpathy fuels connection.\u201d By promoting empathy through education, we allow students and faculty from varying backgrounds to develop deep and meaningful connections, thus creating a community of compassion and understanding.<\/p>\n Another way institutions can support students and faculty is through outreach. Hosting affirming events and creating support groups are beneficial ways to demonstrate to students and faculty that they belong to the school community and that their voices and opinions matter.<\/p>\n Finally, one of the biggest contributions institutions can make is to come out publicly in support of their LGBTQ+ students and faculty. This sends a message to supporters and opponents that hate and discrimination have no place in education.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This article was written by the Cengage Group Pride ERG team.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Our ERGs<\/a> (Employee Resource Groups) are employee<\/a>-created and employee-led internal communities, providing personal connections and affiliation to promote diversity, openness, understanding, acceptance and inclusiveness.<\/p>\n\n
There are several groups in the U.S. and internationally working to promote safe and affirmative school environments for LGBTQ+ students.<\/h3>\n
\n
![\"Cengage](\"https:\/\/blog.cengage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cengage-Pride-ERG-logo-300x156.png\"){kind=logo}
<\/em><\/p>\nWho is Pride ERG?<\/h2>\n