Tuesday, November 08, 2005

VA Tech combats anti-gay harassment

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Tuesday, November 08, 2005 Tech launches program to combat harassment The new project is largely a response to concerns expressed by gay and lesbian students. By Kevin Miller 381-1676 BLACKSBURG -- Virginia Tech officials unveiled a new anti-harassment program Monday to address concerns that the university had failed to adequately respond to discrimination against gay and lesbian students. Within several weeks, Tech plans to launch a new Web site that will allow people to file confidential reports of harassment on campus. Officials said they also plan to increase training for employees on how to properly respond to harassment complaints as well as develop new violence prevention manuals for students, faculty and staff. While the new efforts will focus on combating all types of harassment -- whether based on race, sexual orientation or other factors -- the program appears to be a direct response to concerns raised by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance of Virginia Tech. Members of the LGBTA launched a campaign earlier this semester to pressure the administration to more aggressively enforce Tech's policy banning discrimination based on a person's sexual orientation. The LGBTA compiled a report detailing more than a dozen acts of harassment, intimidation or violence against members of the Tech community in recent years. To read the full article click here