Allyship@UNE
Allyship @ UNE
The UNE Allyship network is a membership based organisation on campus and online which supports members of the UNE community of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.
Allyship is complex. Building solidarity and networks of support is necessary not only between straight and queer communities, but also within queer communities in acknowledging and supporting the needs of First Nations queer people, queer people of colour, and members of faith communities.
The aim of this network is to build a UNE community which appreciates the challenges queer people face, and supports the UNE LGBTQAI+ community to thrive.
Allyship with a community can not be awarded by attending training, but this training will support members of the network to understand the challenges develop strategies which support students and staff of diverse SOGIE.
Allyship is a process of continual learning and respectful engagement, listening and thoughtful advocacy.
UNE had an Ally Network in place from 2006-2011 however due to staff turnover the network couldn’t be maintained. Our aim is to re-establish a UNE Ally Network and embed the program into University life so we can promote a welcoming, safe and supportive environment for all, better understand the lived experience of LGBTI+ staff and students, and ensure the network is maintained for years to come.
How do you become an Ally@UNE.
As we’ve mentioned above, Allyship is not something that is handed to you with a training certificate, it’s far more complex.
Having said that, we want to ensure that people who are identified as Allies@UNE are equipped with the knowledge of both the statutory considerations, as well as the key concepts surrounding gender identity, sexual identity, intersectionality, and community.
Throughout the year there are opportunities for staff and students to participate in training and workshops.
The next workshops will be offered to professional and academic staff.
Staff will nominate to attend a one day workshop on either March 17, 18, or 19th.
How do I find Allies@UNE
2020 is the year that we’re reviving Allies@UNE.
At the end of 2019, several cohorts of people attended workshops and early this year there will be another opportunity for an additional 75. All of these people will receive stickers, badges and an email signature for use at their discretion and are encouraged to display these.
They will also be invited to have their name and details registered on this page. It is hoped that people wishing to find someone to talk to might visit this page and be able to choose from a range of people and positions they prefer.
It’s important to note that Allies are NOT counsellors, nor are they “experts” about matters of sexuality and gender identity. One of the aims of UNE Allyship is to visibly demonstrate the inclusivity and diversity that individuals should expect of the UNE community, through a network of empathetic people.
The UNE Ally Network has been supported by
the Respect. Now. Always initiative and the Be a Better Human campaign.
Allyship@UNE Workshops
One day workshops on either March 17th, 18th, 19th.
10am – 3pm, UNE Life HQ
Budi & Maria (details below) will address the below concepts in understanding inclusivity and intersectionality.
- understanding diversity framework and intersectionality
- unpacking power and privileges
- understanding cognitive blind spot, biases and stereotypes
- addressing dominant workplace/studyplace culture and ideologies in daily practice
- implementing diversity as part of organisation system
- applying inclusive leadership skills to lead organisational change
Training is limited to 25 people per session and will take place between 10am and 3pm, in the UNE Life HQ meeting room.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Budi Sudarto
Budi Sudarto is the incumbent AGMC Vice President and the director of Ananda Training & Consultancy. Budi has developed and delivered diversity and inclusion training to several agencies, including Brotherhood of St Laurence’s NDIS LAC, Settlement Services International, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, and Lifeline. Budi is passionate about exploring intersectionality within diversity and inclusion framework, focusing on the influence of culture, ethnicity, and religion on LGBTIQ+ identities. Budi obtained a Master degree in Arts from Monash University, where he explored the intersections between ethnicity and sexuality amongst gay Asian men in Melbourne. Budi is currently working as a sessional tutor at Victoria University.
For qualifications and publications, visit www.anandalearning.com.au/meet-the-team.
Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli, PhD
Maria is, is a Researcher in Gender and Sexuality Studies at Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia. Her primary areas of interest are cultural diversity, gender diversity, sexual diversity and family diversity and she undertakes research, evaluations and workshops for schools, youth and health service providers, government and community organisations.
Maria is also a Founding Member of AGMC Inc. (Australian LGBTIQ Multicultural Council), and a member of the Victoria Police LGBTIQ and Multicultural Priorities Communities Divisions Groups.
Author of 15 academic and non-academic books, they include: Someone You Know (Australia’s first AIDS biography); Girls’ Talk: Young Women Speak Their Hearts and Minds; Boys’ Stuff: Boys Talking About What Matters, which were the first Australian books by and for young people that are culturally and sexually inclusive. The latter won the Australian Book Design Award in the Educational Texts for Young People Category ; and achieved a Highly Commended in the Australian Award for Excellence in Educational Publishing. With PFLAGs and schools around Australia, Maria wrote When Our Children Come Out: how to support LGBTIQ young people in our families, schools and communities.
Maria’s current research is with Aboriginal people with Southern European heritage (Mobs and Wogs), exploring the contestations and connections between settler colonialism, racism and multiculturalism in Australia.
Contact: mariapc@deakin.edu.au
Websites: https://deakin.academia.edu/mariapallottachiarolli / https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Maria_Pallotta-Chiarolli
