About NMU ALLIES
NMU ALLIES is an organization at Northern Michigan University for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Its purpose is to provide an avenue for faculty, staff, and students who wish to offer visible support for a safe university environment for faculty, staff, and students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or other sexual and gender minorities. As of September 8, 2023, there are 614 members.
To join NMU ALLIES, send an e-mail to Jessica Corkin at jcoullar@nmu.edu with the physical address you want the placard sent to.
General questions about NMU ALLIES should be sent to: allies@nmu.edu
Mail for NMU ALLIES can be sent to:
C/O: Lynne Lambdin, Organization Coordinator
18 Gries Hall
1401 Presque Isle Ave
Marquette, MI 49855
NMU ALLIES Mission
NMU ALLIES is an organization for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions. Its purpose is to provide an avenue for members of the NMU Community (i.e. faculty, staff, students, alumni, and retirees) who self-identify as wishing to offer a safe university environment and visible support for those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, pansexual, two-spirited and other sexual and gender minorities (LGBTQIA+).
NMU ALLIES Leadership & Committees
NMU ALLIES is made possible by a team effort of staff, faculty, students, alumni, and NMU retirees. Our leadership is made up of an Organizational Coordinator, Enrollment Coordinator, Treasurer, and Secretary. We also have committee leaders overseeing Direction, Website, Social Media, and Logo design. You are encouraged to take part and be involved with NMU ALLIES at your level of personal commitment, whether as a member of the organization, serving on a committee, or in a leadership role.
Events of Interest
NMU ALLIES is proud to make you aware of events of interest on campus and in our community that relate to LGBTQIA+ issues. Unless otherwise noted, NMU ALLIES is not a sponsor or host of the event, and you should contact the event organizer for information.
Featured Campus Content
The NMU Department of Biology Associate Professor Diana Lafferty's article "Why is it Important to Cultivate Human Diversity in Biology?" is featured as the lead article in the Winter 2024 issue of Biology News.
Find the article and other issues of the newsletter here: https://nmu.edu/biology/biology-newsletter.
Resources
Downloadable Logos
Different versions are available if you would like to save the NMU ALLIES logo to add it to your email signature or your webpage in an appropriate public place. Please remember to remove the logo from wherever you decide to place it should you leave Northern Michigan University and/or NMU ALLIES.
To download a file: Click the green "Download" link; after the image opens in a new tab, right click and select "Save image as..."
NMU ALLIES logo 2023: Download
NMU ALLIES logo 2023 (medium size): Download
NMU ALLIES logo 2023 (small size): Download
NMU ALLIES logo 2023 (medium white space): Download
NMU ALLIES logo 2023 (large white space): Download
Books & Media by Olson Library
NMU ALLIES in partnership with Lydia M. Olson Library at NMU created a recommendation list of books, scholarly works, and other media by LGBTQIA+ authors or related works of interest to the community.
View the list on the Library website: https://lib.nmu.edu/news/lgbtqia-content-recommendations-nmu-allies
Posted October 31, 2022
Community
Equality Michigan (EQMI) provides education, victim services, and outreach that empowers LGBTQ+ neighbors throughout the state to live in safe communities, take care of our families, and create positive impact by improving our social, cultural, and economic lives and wellbeing. We do this by ensuring underrepresented voices are amplified.
Safety
Human Rights Campaign: "For the First Time Ever, Human Rights Campaign Officially Declares ‘State of Emergency’ for LGBTQ+ Americans; Issues National Warning and Guidebook to Ensure Safety for LGBTQ+ Residents and Travelers"
Read the full June 6, 2023 press release by HRC staff.
Wellbeing
Resources list published by the University of Michigan's Healthy Minds Network.
Personnel at NMU can receive help through Northstar Employee Assistance Program.
Connect
NMU ALLIES Facebook: www.facebook.com/ALLIESNMU
NMU ALLIES Instagram: www.instagram.com/nmu_allies/ (to access, you need to be logged into Instagram)
News Stories of interest to NMU ALLIES
NMU ALLIES Scholarship
Origin: Established in 2001 by ALLIES at Northern Michigan University
Application Form: ALLIES Scholarship application. Find information by looking up "ALLIES Scholarship" under Donor-Funded Scholarships at https://nmu.edu/financialaid/donorfundedschol. During the application period early during the winter term for awards the following academic year, students can submit an application through the online system by logging in through MyNMU and clicking on Financial Aid – Donor-funded Scholarships. Watch for notice from the Office of Financial Aid alerting you to opportunities to apply for this and other donor-funded scholarships!
Requirements: This scholarship shall assist full-time students at Northern Michigan University.
Eligibility: Recipients must be in good academic standing.
Recipients must show documented leadership, support or involvement in organizations, activities or issues that promote awareness and acceptance of the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered (GLBT) community at Northern Michigan University.
Donor funded applications.
Award: $500 per year minimum. Scholarship is split between two semesters.
Number: Varies.
Special Provisions: This scholarship will be an endowed fund, the principle of which will not be invaded. Awards are to be made from the earnings, according to NMU Development Fund policy. In the event that the scholarship becomes obsolete, the principal, along with interest, will be used to support and promote understanding of GLBT issues.
Proposed NMU ALLIES Statement for Syllabi
My classroom is a place where you will be treated with respect. In this course, each voice has something of value to contribute. Please take care to respect the different experiences, beliefs, and values expressed by students, faculty, and staff. Each member of this class is expected to contribute to a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive environment for every other member of the class.
Definitions
ALLIES—People who are advocates for the LGBT+ community, providing “safe” people and safe places for interaction and assistance.
BISEXUAL—A person who has romantic, emotional, physical, and sexual attractions and connections to both men and women. This does not mean that they act on these feelings. A bisexual may have sexual relationships with only one gender while remaining attracted to both.
COMING OUT—The process of becoming aware of, accepting, and openly expressing one’s sexual identity to one or more persons. “Coming out” to one’s self is a first and most important step in this process before coming out to others. This means not only knowing about one’s homosexuality, but being comfortable with being homosexual (overcoming homophobia), and being sure of who one is as a person.
GAY MAN/LESBIAN WOMAN—People whose primary emotional, romantic, physical, and sexual attractions and connections are with someone of the same gender.
LGBTQ+—Abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minorities.
HETEROSEXISM—The assumption that being heterosexual is the only “normal” or correct type of lifestyle and is superior to other lifestyles.
HETEROSEXUAL—A person whose romantic, emotional, physical, and sexual attractions and connections are with someone of the opposite gender.
HOMOPHOBIA—Unreasonable and irrational fear or dislike for homosexuals or “homosexual behavior” or activity.
HOMOSEXISM—The assumption that being homosexual is the only “normal” or correct type of lifestyle where gay men may “dislike” women and exclude heterosexual (straight) men, and lesbian women may “dislike” men and exclude heterosexual (straight) women. It may also be seen as bigotry or sexual and gender based exclusion in the homosexual culture or community.
PINK TRIANGLE—A symbol used by the Nazi to identify homosexuals or those thought to be homosexual. It is currently worn to show pride or support for LGBTQ+ persons. The trend now is to have or display the triangle with colors of the rainbow which symbolize and celebrate the uniqueness and diversity within the LGBTQ+ community and often includes their ALLIES.
STRAIGHT—Slang for a heterosexual person.
TRANSGENDER—A person whose gender identity (what gender they feel most comfortable with) differs from their biological gender. This is a broad term.
Students:
Student Equity & Engagement Center
The SEEC (nmu.edu/seec/) is a cultural, educational, and social entity that actively cultivates a diverse, inclusive, and vibrant Northern. Through programming, services, and support the SEEC works to engage, empower, and educate the campus community.