A   C o m p r e h e n s i v e   M a n u a l

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Assuming the male perspective is the

guage, commit ourselves to gender parity

norm and the female perspective diver 

in terms of leadership, speakers, films,

gent, such as referring to the whole

etc.  We can pay attention to how

group as  gay,  (a term like mankind

 campy  behavior can portray

that's supposed to include women) or

women/females in a negative or stereo 

using the pink triangle (again a symbol

typical manner and challenge that when it

of the oppression of gay men) as the

occurs.  We can pay attention to group

universal gay and lesbian symbol;

process and give feedback when men

dominate discussions or only respond to

M

Assuming that because you are a gay

other men.

or bisexual man you are not sexist like

other men;

Examples of Racism

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Assuming a person of color has a job,

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Even though women are a majority of

scholarship, position, etc. because of

the population your group is mostly

her/his race, rather than her/his qualifi 

male with mostly male leadership; and

cations;

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If one woman objects to something as

M

Assuming that one person of color (or

sexist, finding another woman who

a few people of color) can speak (or are

will say it's not sexist so that you don't

speaking) for all people of color;

have to deal with it.

Women come from every group, so that

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Perceiving people of color as  clique 

there are women of color, Jewish women,

ish  or "segregating themselves  while

poor and working class women, and

overlooking all the times all white

women with disabilities.  Lesbian and

groups hang out together.  Do you

bisexual women are not only targeted

notice a table of African American stu 

because of heterosexism but because of

dents sitting in the cafeteria but not the

sexism too, and sometimes other mani 

many tables of white students?;

festations of oppression.  Many lesbian

and bisexual women may feel more in

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Using materials, pictures, posters,

common or more connected to other

magazines, movies, etc. that portray no

women (even heterosexual women) than

people of color;

to gay or bisexual men.  Gay and bisexu 

al men may feel different from heterosex 

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Expecting that if people of color want

ual men and want lesbians and bisexual

things to change that it is their respon 

women to see them as allies just because

sibility to tell white people what

of their sexual orientation.  It is important

they're doing wrong; 

for your group to consider whether you

see AIDS as a gay and lesbian issue, but

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Backing up white people when they do

rape, sexual harassment, reproductive

or say something racist, and trying to

freedom, research money for breast can 

minimize/discount  that behavior by

cer as women's issues.  All men learn

saying things like,  S/he didn't mean it

sexism and gay and bisexual men must

that way,  or  She/he's really nice,

commit themselves to actively working

she/he's just a little prejudiced,  or  If 

against sexism.  We can use inclusive lan 

M a n a g i n g   Y o u r   G r o u p

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