Students have the right not to be discriminated against by any agent or organization of the University of Florida for reasons of age, creed, disability, ethnic or national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, political or social affiliation, race, religion, or sexual orientation. As a Gator, you have an obligation to take an active role in fostering an appreciation for diversity and sending the message loud and clear that bias-related acts will not be tolerated.

Language Matters

• Challenge folks to say what they mean. For example, when someone says “that’s so gay,” you could ask them if they really mean “gay” or if they were using that word to mean “stupid” or “weird.”
• Engage others in a dialogue about their issues and be willing to share your personal experience in order to help others learn more about something they don’t know much about.

Practice Active Listening

• Listen with an open mind and try to listen to the entire message without judging or refuting.
• Step outside of your comfort zone and attend programs and events that highlight an issue that makes you uncomfortable or a community that you are unfamiliar with

Speak Up

• Speak up when you see or hear something that is bias-related.
• Report and encourage others to report bias-related incidents