George Brown College
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

The Positive Space Campaign is a reflection of George Brown's commitment to welcome and include all members of the community and to create a college community that is free of discrimination and harassment based on gender and sexual identity. The Positive Space Campaign brings visibility and support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit and queer/questioning communities at George Brown College. Trained Resource Persons display the Positive Space Logo at the entrance of their work area, indicating that they are queer-positive and able to provide information and referrals. The presence of the Positive Space Ribbons raises awareness of the differences that exists on campus and sensitizes others to both subtle and overt forms of heterosexism, homophobia and transphobia. Aboriginal intern program out of our office with the support of Human Resources, finding six month positions for job ready aboriginal candidates to work at our college and gain experience so they can apply for full time positions - these are paid opportunities. This year we produced the Seamless Service Report that examined systemic barriers to students requiring accommodations in the classroom; a number of recommendations out of this report have been implemented by the Disability Office in Student Affairs. Free to Pee Campaign: raising awareness of issues facing transsexual students on our campus and washroom use concerns. The “Free to Pee Campaign" on all campuses is a coalition of many offices at GBC attempting to raise awareness about transgender needs for safe spaces for washroom usage. We are compiling a publicly accessible map of washrooms for transgender and other uses. What I Love about Being Queer Book produced by the Diversity, Equity and Human Rights office. Sale of this book which has been national as well as international has raised $11,000 towards student awards for LGBT students at GBC. Production of our new video featuring students talking about why diversity is so important at GBC, see our web site the video link is there- this video was featured at the recent President’s breakfast in late August. College has specific spaces designated for our Aboriginal Students (Centers) at both St. James and Casa Loma. We also have an Aboriginal Elder who works with our aboriginal students; she is on staff at our college.

Discrimination and harassment are serious issues for the classroom and the workplace. Acts of discrimination and harassment may unfairly limit a person's access to or success in studies or employment and, if pervasive, may create a hostile or poisoned environment within a place of study or work. Such an environment may operate to undermine the self-esteem and self-respect of students and employees, contribute to low moral and poor productivity, and result in unnecessarily high absenteeism, student drop-out rates and employee turnover. This statement of College Policy and procedures provides a succinct statement of College Policy regarding the prevention of discrimination and harassment. The College intends that this comprehensive statement of Policy and procedures will incorporate, and supersede previous statements of policy and procedure in regards to Discrimination and Harassment. It also incorporates an extensive definition of its range and scope and concludes with a detailed statement of the procedures to be followed if anyone in the College community feels that, according to the definition of the policy, he or she has been discriminated against or harassed.