The McMaster Committee Against Homophobia and Heterosexism has released a report as part of Pride Week on campus. The report profiles the experiences of gay, lesbian, bisexual and queer (GLBQ) students, staff and faculty members.

The goal of the report was to examine whether the University is a supportive learning and work environment. It indicates that while overt discrimination was reported to be fairly rare at McMaster, invisibility and systematic exclusion are more pervasive problems and that the silence on GLBQ issues generates varying degrees of isolation and anxiety in individuals.

The report will be discussed at an information forum Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Convocation Hall.

One of the report's authors, Roy Cain, is a professor from the School of Social Work.

“By revealing the many ways that the university fails to support and nurture its gay, lesbian and bisexual students and employees, the report shows that McMaster has a ways to go before realizing its goal of creating a climate that welcomes diversity. The study shows that gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals are most often made to feel excluded and unwelcome in subtle, sometimes almost invisible ways.”

Mary Keyes, McMaster's associate vice-president student affairs, chaired the Committee Against Homophobia and Heterosexism when it was first formed in 1997.

“The report is a valuable reminder that we must continue to be vigilant, to work together to fight discrimination, and to uphold our reputation as a university where understanding, cooperation and respect for diversity are valued and protected,” said Keyes.

In response to the report's recommendations the University has committed to:

• undertake a review of language within its human resources policies
• continue to include educational information in Welcome Week and first-year student publications
• continue to stock magazines and other publications in the bookstore to help foster a gay-positive university environment.

Keyes said, “We will continue to look at other ways to ensure that all voices on campus are heard in a tolerant way. We want to make sure that we provide a welcoming environment for everyone and that every member of our community feels safe and secure.”