Girls Like Us

Girls Like Us is an empowering discussion group for women on the queer spectrum (lesbian, bisexual, asexual, questioning, etc.) ages 18-24 who attend Indiana University. The group provides an opportunity for meeting, connecting, and conversing in a peer-facilitated, safe, confidential atmosphere which actively recognizes the fluidity of sex, gender, and practically every other facet of life. All information shared in meetings and the identity and email addresses of its members is kept confidential. Location/time/questions:  girls@indiana.edu 

Description

Girls Like Us is an empowering discussion group for women on the queer spectrum (lesbian, bisexual, asexual, questioning, etc.) ages 18-24 who attend Indiana University. The group provides an opportunity for meeting, connecting, and conversing in a peer-facilitated, safe, confidential atmosphere which actively recognizes the fluidity of sex, gender, and practically every other facet of life. All information shared in meetings and the identity and email addresses of its members is kept confidential. Location/time/questions: girls@indiana.edu

Statement

Girls Like Us is a confidential discussion group first and foremost. No one here has privilege over another member. There’s a range of opinions and perspectives represented here, and one of our goals is to celebrate this diversity as well as learn from it. We cover a lot of topics in this group—from common to controversial. That being said, this group is about respect. It’s okay to get angry because expressing anger can be constructive. But hate is destructive and therefore not tolerated at Girls Like Us.

Contributing to discussion is entirely voluntary. There’s nothing wrong with solely listening and taking it all in. Keep in mind, though, that one of the purposes for this group is to give each member a voice, so don’t be afraid to speak up.  No one should ever feel uncomfortable speaking here. Please contact one of the facilitators if you don’t! ( girls@indiana.edu )

This is a group about dialogue, not debate. Dialogue involves genuine respectful discussions with active listeners that ultimately bring people together. Debate, on the other hand, involves arguing, interrupting, and generally drives people apart.  Facilitators have the right to remove or ban members if this rule is broken.

Connections

Connections is the next level of discussion. This is the time in the meeting where matters discussed are most personal. Anyone is allowed to speak up to three minutes. Facilitators may offer up a topic, but it is only a tool to facilitate connecting; a member may submit another topic to discuss. If you would like feedback or advice, you may ask members for responses. Otherwise, you can simply vent and then we’ll move on to the next person.

Connections is when confidentiality is most essential. What is said at GLU stays at GLU. We are women; we are not objects. And so, we do not talk about each other like objects. We are people and each of us can speak for ourselves but not for others.

Meeting dates are 02/15; 02/22; 02/29; 03/07; 03/21; 03/28; 04/04; 04/11; 04/18; 04/25; 05/02; 05/09 for spring semester of 2012.