Project B-GLAD is a means for providing information and raising awareness to build bridges between Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and questioning students faculty and staff and non-LGBTQ members of the UNCW community. This is done through semesterly training sessions, an identifiable group of allies, and continuing education among the network of those who have become allies.

Listed below are the goals of the program and information on the responsibilities of the participants. The Goals of Project B-GLAD are to:

1. provide an avenue for students, faculty and staff to demonstrate visibly their support of people who are Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual.
2. establish a university-wide network of easily identifiable allies who can provide support, information, and assistance to lesbian, gay , and bisexual persons within the university. provide lesbian, gay, and bisexual students, faculty, and staff with comfortable access to sensitive and knowledgeable people for information and support. educate members of the university community about the needs and concerns of lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons.
3. foster an atmosphere on campus which supports the academic and professional success of lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons, as well as their personal and social growth.
4. advance the university’s progress toward a campus climate free of discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation[1].

The Name B-GLAD was chosen because:

• B-GLAD is an acronym for Bisexuals, Gays, Lesbians, and Allies for Diversity; it is inclusive of allies and others that make up the community as whole.
• it is identifiable to those that would be most in need of understanding what the acronym stands for (Many notable universities around the country, but most notably in North Carolina have BGLAD as the their gay and lesbian student association. i.e. East Carolina, UNCG etc.)
• it allows for emphasis to be placed on the positive aspects of the work at hand(by taking out “safe” and have “glad” as part of the name, we are in effect giving it a different tone and emphasis.)

Project B-GLAD allies include students, faculty, and staff who are non-gay, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and questioning who want to show their support. Project B-GLAD allies serve as informal resource persons who can provide support to persons who are LGBTQ by respecting them, listen to their concerns, helping them access campus resources, and responding to anti-LGBTQ prejudice and discrimination.

By agreeing to publicly post a Project B-GLAD sign and designate themselves as allies who are receptive to discussing issues surrounding sexual orientation, Project B-GLAD allies have a responsibility to:

• Educate themselves with accurate information about sexual orientation.
• Increase their awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of LGBTQ persons.
• Create a positive and accepting place where anyone, whether they are LGBTQ or not can feel comfortable discussing issues related to sexual orientation without fear or judgment. This place is an environment committed to openness and mutual respect regardless of sexual orientation, political perspective, or religious belief.
• Assist lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons in accessing support services and information resources on campus and in the community.
• Assist non-LGBTQ persons in understanding LGBTQ orientations and the impact of homophobia and heterosexism on the lives of LGBTQ persons.
• Respond to instances of discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation. Respect the privacy of persons who contact them in their roles as a Project B-GLAD Ally.

[1] These goals were taken from the Safe Zone Program at the University of Southern Illinois. They are consistent with the goals at most other major University Safe Zone or LGBT awareness program.

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