LGBTQIA+ community concerned after signage and resources removed from Georgia Southern

STATESBORO, Ga. (WSAV) — A decision by the University System of Georgia is getting some pushback from some in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Locally, signage and resources were removed from all three of Georgia Southern’s campuses and from their website, according to faculty and students. Those resources related to diversity and what is called “Safe Space Training”.

The university is now responding to these accusations of bias for the queer community: “There has been no alteration to the services and programs provided to meet the individual needs of our students and our faculty and staff.

The university is undergoing a website redesign to provide an improved user interface and experience, streamlining content so that audiences can easily access the information they need. Like many other universities, we created an intranet to provide current students, faculty, and staff with easy access to information.

“Services for current students, faculty, and staff – including those offered by the Counseling and Health Centers – are located within the intranet. If students or employees have any questions or have trouble locating information about these services, the Dean of Students or Human Resources offices can be helpful in connecting them with our many resources and programs.

“Separately, through a review of all training offered by Georgia Southern, Safe Space/Zone training was identified as out of compliance with updated University System policies. We recognize there is a need to provide training opportunities that speak to all members of our university community and provide education surrounding legally protected rights. To that end, we are in the process of creating a new training that will educate our community on values of civility and mutual respect, open debate and discourse, as well as individual freedoms and protections under the law.”

But students, advocates, and even local elected officials are pushing back against this move.

Donovan Edward is a member of the queer community and is currently enrolled at Georgia Southern.

“I was made to believe, and many of us were made to believe, that this was a place we could be who we are and get a good education while we do it. Now, we can only do one of those things,” he said. “There was a lot of betrayal when the news first hit. A bit of me felt a little bit of sorrow for the students who didn’t know because a lot of people found out yesterday when it was made public. But this has been going on for two weeks.”

Services through counseling and health centers are still available, but Michael Bell, Executive Director of First City Pride Center says its not enough.

“When pride flags are removed and awareness of programs and supportive programs, mental health and behavioral health departments are being taken down that support the LGBTQIA+ community, it affects mental health and behavioral health. It affects our way of life. It affects our visibility in the deep south,” Bell said.

Boro Pride also stated that they would be releasing a statement on Thursday .

The Armstrong campus is located inside Savannah’s 6th District. Alderman Kurtis Purtee, a GS alumni and a member of the queer community, says this is not acceptable.

“I would encourage people to contact your local legislators at the state level and say that this is wrong, and they need to encourage the board of regents to take this policy piece away and make sure that inclusive excellence means inclusive excellence,” Purtee said.

According to students, a sit-in will be taking place on Monday at both the Statesboro and Savannah campuses from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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