Pride@SBU (aka the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Faculty and Staff Network at Stony Brook University) is a mixture of social events, resources, support, education and advocacy.

We are committed to creating and maintaining an open, safe and supportive environment for the LGBTQ faculty, staff, students, alumni and the entire campus community.

Membership is open to all SBU faculty, staff and alumni who support our mission of diversity and acceptance. To join the listserv PrideatSBU-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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In the News...

- 09/22/11: Pride@SBU Happy Hour Scheduled for October 21, 2011

Faculty, Staff, Alumni & Friends are invited to meet up on Friday, October 21, 4-6pm at the Brook Alumni Room at the Wang Center. Spend some time with your LGBTQ and ally friends and colleagues from across campus and find out what is being planned for the future of Pride@SBU. Free hors d' oeuvres, cash bar. To RSVP and for more info contact Chris Tanaka at 631.632.2941 or ctanaka@notes.cc.sunysb.edu.

- 08/09/11: Pride Scholarship Founder Marylou Stewart Passes Away

Marylou Stewart passed away today after an eight year battle with Ovarian Cancer. She left a diverse legacy of community projects and groups that she had a strong influence in starting on campus and at large, including the LGBTQ Faculty Staff Group, The Pride Scholarship and Safe Space, among others. Thank you Marylou for your service to the community, you will be missed by many!

- 08/04/11: Chris Tanaka is appointed Coordinator of LGBTQ Services

Congratulations to Chris Tanaka in accepting her new role as the Coordinator of LGBTQ Services. Her position is the culmination of Stony Brook University’s ongoing commitment to serving LGBTQ and Ally students. Chris started her career at Stony Brook University as an undergraduate student. She served as the undergraduate SBU-LGBTA President for two years and worked relentlessly to find a voice for LGBTQ students on campus. After graduation, she worked at Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth (LIGALY) as the anti-violence project coordinator before returning to her Alma Mater to carry forth her passion. She joined CPO as a Staff Assistant in 2008 and went above and beyond her job responsibilities to develop and implement SBU Safe Space Program. Chris has shown immense energy and commitment to serve LGBTQ and Ally students and we look forward to the fruits of her creativity, passion and talent in the years to come.

- 07/11/10: Join the Stony Brook LGBTA Alumni Facebook group!

- 06/30/09: Stony Brook HSC United University Professions Chapter Adds an LGBTQ committee

This is a mirror of the statewide LGBTQ ad-hoc committee which was only recently created at the winter 2009 delegate assembly. While these committees may be new, the issues affecting the LGBTQ are not. This fledgling chapter committee will give voice to the unique concerns of UUP members who identify with or have family members in the LGBTQ community. The committee's efforts will be in the form of networking (ex. Pride at Work), simple emotional support, addressing potential contractual issues and addressing equal rights under the law as well as inclusiveness and non-discrimination in our workplace.

They are currently looking for people who would like to join this committee. Please contact Dan Fischer (Pharmacy) or call the union office 444-1505 to leave your name if you are interested. http://uupsbhscsite.org

- Congratulations to Jeremy Wilson our 2009 Pride Scholarship winner!

- 11/20/08: Marylou Stewart Steps Down

After 25 years of active involvement in the LGBT faculty staff network (founded in the early 1970’s) the last 10 of which she served as President, Marylou Stewart has stepped down as of November 30, 2008.

“It has been great over the years to be a part of the LGBT faculty and staff network. Some of our major accomplishments include the Pride Scholarship Endowment, which began in 2004, two fabulous Winter Concerts with the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus and New Century Singers, Coming Out Day, Spring Pride Dance, many delicious potlucks and summertime BBQs. I’m especially proud of the group’s active roll in getting Safe Space implemented here on campus this year. It was wonderful to see the support from so many different departments on campus and all walks of life.”

Advocacy in the LGBTQ community has been, and will always be a passion of Marylou’s, and her decision to step down from the group has been a difficult one. 

As one door closes another one opens. We’re at a pivotal time in history, President Obama promises great strides for LGBT civil rights, yet at the same time Prop 8 threatens to take us backwards in terms of same sex marriage. 

So here in lies the challenge of Pride@SBU. New leadership and involvement is needed to advance the group and our civil rights movement forward.

- 06/26/08: Safe Space Starts!

Results from the Stony Brook University 2004 Campus Climate Survey indicate:
*Over 40% of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgendered respondents report that they have observed harassment based on sexual orientation by faculty/staff over the previous two years. (2004 Campus Climate Survey)
* Nearly half (49.5%) of LGBT people are not “out” in their departments. (2004 Campus Climate Survey)

28 faculty, staff, and students were in the "Train the Trainer" class on June 26th. The day long training provided them with the ability to start the 3 hour Safe Space classes starting this Fall semester.

32 faculty, staff and students were trained on October 30th. They are all now Safe Spaces and trainers. Look for the buttons and stickers.

Contact Chris Tanaka at ctanaka@notes.cc.sunysb.edu or call 632-9666 to sign up for training and get your sticker to display.

This program is being sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Affirmative Action, Center for Prevention and Outreach, the Employee Assistance Program, the Department of Psychology, the Department of Physics and Astrology, and Pride@SBU.

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- 7/20/08: Film Festival Features Two Great LGBTQ films:

The Stony Brook Film Festival featured two LGBTQ-themed films on July 20, 2008.

The Secrets. Naomi, the brilliant and pious daughter of an ultra orthodox rabbi, finds herself at a crossroads when her mother dies and she is expected to immediately marry her father’s protégé. Distressed yet determined, she begs her father to allow her a year of study at a woman’s religious seminary in Safed, the birthplace of the Kabala. The Secrets presents the complexities of friendship between two young women and their involvement with a mysterious older woman who lives nearby. An adult story of youth, rebellion and desire. Produced by Avi Nesher, David Silber, Edgard Tenenbaum, André Malignac, Sharon Harel, Moshe Edery, Leon Edery and Liat Benasuly. Director of Photography: Michel Abramowicz, A.F.C. From Monterey Media, Inc.

Tru Loved. Tru, a 16-year-old high school student from San Francisco, is uprooted from her gay-friendly home by her lesbian moms and moved away—not only from San Fran but from her gay dads—to a new, decidedly more conservative neighborhood in suburban Southern California. Her non-traditional family makes her a bit of an outsider—until the high school football hero and big man on campus takes a liking to her. A traditional boy meets girl love story…or is it? Produced by Antonio Brown and Stewart Wade. Director of Photography: Howard Wexler.

Both films were excellent!

VIP green room with Stewart Wade (Middle in tan)

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- Congratulations to Athena Yoneda our 2008 Pride Scholarship winner!