Final Task #2: Topic Research/Graphics

Tomorrow I am meeting with Dr. Luke Jensen, the Director of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equity Center, at 1 p.m. in his office at Marie Mount Hall. He's responsible for a lot of the basic infrastructure that supports LGBT people and LGBT work at the University of Maryland. 

I found a story that the Diamondback did from last year on how the University of Maryland is behind on gender options on applications and how advocates, like Jensen, wanted to push to change this. 

My angle is to follow-up this story and see if any changes have been made between admissions and gender identity. In my meeting with Jensen, I will be looking for information regarding the support of LGBT on campus and how it compares to other nearby schools or BIG 10 schools; what Maryland is doing to create more acceptance for these people on campus; what are the reasons why we want to be more diverse -- what are the benefits and disadvantages; and a follow-up on the admissions process and gender identity.

In my meeting with Jensen, I would also like to discuss whether we can set up a video interview after the break. If he doesn't accept, my back-up plan would to get into contact with Nick Sakurai, who is the Director of Leadership Initiatives. 

Some preliminary explanatory headlines I have in mind right now for my story include:

• The University of Maryland (UMD) doing a better job in promoting the LGBT community as   they are a top 25 LGBT-friendly institution. (Source)

• UMD now sends admitted undergraduate students a survey where they have the option of identifying their sexuality and can indicate whether they are transgender. (Source)

• California schools and rival schools, like Duke University, allowing more opportunities for students to express their sexual orientation and gender identities. (Source)