Role Models and other Glimpses of Self

A Message from Betty Hill, Executive Director of the Persad Center, the nation’s second oldest licensed counseling center specifically created to serve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community:


Barbara Grier, lesbian-themed novelist and publisher, died this week. She and 3 other women founded Naiad Press in 1973 which she is quoted as saying “to publish books about lesbians who love lesbians and where the girl is not just going through a phase.”

She was overwhelmed by the volume of orders for her books. While she was surprised at the demand, I am not. Think about the thrill of a young lesbian who finds a story that reflects how she thinks and feels and loves in the world in the midst of a lifetime of stories and books where she is out of place and cannot relate.

It speaks to me about the need for evidence and reflection that is hungered for by a population of people who are made invisible in their world.


Heterosexism is institutionalized isolation. In heterosexism, it isn’t just that GLBTQ people are a minority and so you don’t run into them as much as heterosexual people; there is deliberateness about omitting any signs of the minority population’s existence. It sends the message that there isn’t just fewer of you, “we wish there weren’t any of you.”

GLBTQ people are seeking signs of their existence and of their realities. You figure out who you are in the world by seeing signs of yourself in others and in aspiring to bring into life what sparks as a glimmer of you in people you admire. Barbara Grier brought stories of lives that were glimmers of hope to the reality and existence of women who love women.



We need visible signs and safe spaces to sort out our way of relating in the world.

This can happen in small and everyday ways where we acknowledge and name the relationship between a family member and his partner, or where we include the possibility that some kids may want bring a same-sex partner to the school dance, or while we watch “Dancing with the Stars” that we talk about the challenges of being transgender, and we make information available to young people about sexual or gender orientation.

Persad works with organizations to help them eliminate institutional heterosexism and homophobia. We can conduct on-site assessments of environments, policies, practices and staff /worker attitudes and understanding, as well as to assist in achieving goals to improve diversity and inclusion.

Good Ideas: Combating Homophobia & Heterosexism

Assess your situation carefully. Don't ever place yourself or anyone else in physical danger. Consider the positive as well as the negative financial, emotional, legal and social implications before taking action.

Things Everyone Can Do


1. Educate yourself about homosexuality and homophobia, you'll be better able to educate others.

2. Don't tolerate homophobic jokes or comments. Counter offensive remarks with factual information.

3. Join organizations fighting for the equal rights of gays and lesbians. If there are none in your area, consider starting one. (Check out Equality Advocates Pennsylvania.)

4. Support gay and lesbian friendly businesses and organizations. (NGLCC)

5. Challenge corporate homophobia and urge businesses to include sexual orientation in their anti-discrimination policies. Encourage businesses to offer equal benefits for the partners of gay and lesbian employees.

6. Call, write or visit elected officials about legislation that affects the gay and lesbian community. Speak at legislative hearings.

7. Respond to homophobia, misinformation and censorship of the gay and lesbian experience by the media. Write letters to the editor of newspapers or magazines in response to homophobic or misleading articles. Contact television stations and networks that run homophobic programming. Contact advertisers and let them know that homophobic programming is offensive and ask them to withdrawl their sponsorship of such programming. Be sure to show your appreciation to newspapers, magazines, television stations and networks when they show programming or print articles that accurately portray the lives of gays and lesbians, or promote diversity and tolerance. Do the same for their advertisers.

8. Respond to the inaccurate representations or the exploitation of gays and lesbians by talk show hosts, politicians and televangalists.

9. Register to vote, and then be sure to vote. Encourage family and friends to do the same.

10. Use inclusive language such as significant other or partner instead of husband or wife when appropriate. Don't assume everyone is heterosexual.

11. Encourage your school and public libraries to shelve gay and lesbian books.

12. Support gay and lesbian cultural events.

13. Discuss homophobia and sexual orientation with family members, friends and co-workers when appropriate.

14. Keep abreast of the latest tactics employed by anti-gay organizations. Formulate plans to counteract their negative impact in your community.

15. Educate yourself about gay and lesbian history. Learn about the gay men and lesbian women who have made valuable contributions to society.

16. Display symbols of pride and diversity.


Specifically For Gays and Lesbians

Along with the suggestions above, gays and lesbians can do even more to lessen the impact of homophobia and heterosexism in their lives.

1. When you're ready, come out to parents, other family members, friends and co-workers. Besides being a very validating and powerful experience, coming out lessens the impact of anti-gay rhetoric. Gay and lesbian silence and invisibility enables homophobic organizations to continue to misrepresent the gay and lesbian community.

2. Encourage parents, family members and friends to become involved with organizations such as PFLAG.

3. Understand laws in your community and policies at your place of employment that affect you as a gay person.

4. Report gay bashing or harassment to the proper authorities. Encourage the utilization of existing anti-discrimination laws and policies. If none exist in your area, inform law makers of the need for such legislation and encourage your place of employment to adopt anti-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation.

5. Don't allow yourself to be categorized by gay and lesbian stereotypes. Be yourself.