Welcome!

Who We Are

The Coalition For Gender and Sexuality Awareness is a student-run, student funded organization at Whitman College that is committed to ending homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and heterosexism through education, activism, and social events. We are a diverse and dynamic group of individuals who stand united against all oppression, and we also have lots of fun in the process.

Coalition has had a long history of funding speakers, programming discussions, and putting on some of the most popular dances of the year. Everyone is welcome to join regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity because we stand as a coalition united for similar purposes. Please join us if you are lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, allied, queer, questioning, asexual, pansexual, polyamorous, etc., etc., etc.! All are welcome.

What We Are Fighting

Heterosexism: Heterosexism is operating under the assumption at everyone is heterosexual. Heterosexism takes place when, for instance, you assume your male friend has sex exclusively with women based on your assumption that since he is a man, he must also desire women.

Homophobia: Homophobia is discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation. Homophobia can include feelings, words, and actions directed against lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people, their allies, or institutions representing them.

Biphobia: Biphobia operates under the assumption that individuals are either heterosexual or homosexual, and that individuals who call themselves bisexual are either homosexual or heterosexual and just don't know it yet.

Transphobia: Transphobia is discrimination on the basis of gender identity or perceived transgression of cultural gender norms. Transphobia can include feelings, words, or actions directed against transgender, transsexual, intersex, cross-dressed and genderqueer people or people with alternative gender expressions. Transphobia is rooted in the assumption that there are only two genders - male and female - and that an individual's gender identity and biological sex are naturally and necessarily the same.

History

Coalition was founded in the mid-nineties by a group of motivated students who hoped to combat homophobic attitudes on campus, in the community, and nationally. Though the faces have changed, the commitment to dismantling the oppressive forces of homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism continue on to the future.

Many of the alumni who have supported Whitman's Coalition over the years have extended their appreciation through funding support. Alumni created Whitman's LGBT support group, GLBTQ, as well as the creation of the David Nord Award in Gay and Lesbian Studies.