The document discusses best practices for advising LGBT students. It provides key terms related to sexual orientation and gender identity. The document emphasizes the importance of not making assumptions about students and being aware of one's own biases. It also stresses the importance of understanding that LGBT students are not monolithic and may have different levels of being "out." The document notes that advisors should provide a safe space for students and refer them to appropriate on-campus and local resources as needed.

1. ADVISING LGBT STUDENTS
Bianny Fernandez, Christina Ondaro, & Erik Sylvester Rodriguez

2. INTRODUCTION
• “…effective advising requires a holistic approach [in
order] to connect academic advising to ‘our’
students’ lives.” (NACADA 2005)
• Happy students are successful students!

3. KEY TERMS
TAKEN FROM GLAAD / NACADA ARTICLE
• Sexual Orientation
• Gay
• Lesbian
• Bisexual/Bi
• LGBT
• Queer
• Heterosexual
• Homosexual
• Homophobia
• Biphobia
• Coming out
• Out
• Openly Gay
• Closeted
• Outing
• Lifestyle
• Heterosexism

4. BEST PRACTICES
• Don’t Make Assumptions!
• Be mindful of your negative internal dialogue.
• LGBT people are not monolithic.
• Acknowledge your own personal beliefs and be
mindful of how they affect your work.
• Be aware of internalized Homophobia.

5. TRANSGENDER STUDENTS
• What does Transgender mean?
• Everyone has a gender identity.

6. KEY TERMS: TRANSGENDER
TAKEN FROM GLAAD / NACADA ARTICLE
• Cross-dresser
• Bi-gendered
• Drag Queen
• Drag King
• Transsexual (adj.)
• Trans
• Transgender Man
• Transgender Woman
• Cisgender
• Gender Non-Conforming
• Genderqueer

7. BEST PRACTICES
• Not all students will be at the same level of transition.
• Learn about on campus and local resources and refer students as
needed.
• Provide an open and safe space.
• Be a sounding board.
• Ask questions!
• It’s OKAY to make mistakes!

8. RESOURCES
• National Center for Transgender Equality:
• http://www.transequality.org
• The Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource
Professions:
• http://lgbtcampus.org
• The Human Rights Campaign:
• http://www.hrc.org/

9. SOURCES
• http://www.glaad.org/reference/lgb
• Lindenburg, M. (n.d.). Advising issues for transgender students. Retrieved
May 13, 2015, from
https://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Clearinghouse/View-
Articles/Advising-issues-for-transgender-students.aspx
• Smith, B. (n.d.). Advising LGBTQ students. Retrieved May 13, 2015, from
https://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Clearinghouse/View-
Articles/Advising-LGBTQ-students.aspx