About Us

The Center for the Study of Equality and Human Rights was established in Fall 2010. Our mission is to advance and promote research on equality and human rights,  and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, with a primary focus on eliminating homophobia in our society.

We are dedicated to supporting research on bias, bigotry, and heterosexism in the United States, and our goal is to become the regional hub for this important study. The Center’s work is coordinated through the Department of Communication, Media & Theatre Arts, in collaboration with EMU’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center and other academic units.

The Center for the Study of Equality and Human Rights was created through the generosity of alumnus and former Regent Timothy Dyer. His gift enabled the establishment of the Dr. Timothy J. Dyer Distinguished Interdisciplinary Chair in Forensics/Debate and Human Rights. As part of this gift, the Chair, led the creation of the Center.

All of us at the Center are proud to be working for you.

Our Mission

The mission of the Center for the Study of Equality and Human Rights is to promote, support, and disseminate research focused on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender equality and human rights. The Center is dedicated to the advancement of Equality by connecting academic, evidence based research to community action, public policy, and curricular innovation.

Objectives

The Center for the Study of Equality and Human Rights will:

• Stimulate and support interdisciplinary academic research focused on public policy and educational practice.
• Foster community action in response to homophobia and heterosexism
• Offer opportunities for engagement in public discussion and debate about LGBT issues
• Provide coordinated central access to sources of information and scholarship on LGBT concerns
• Promote safety and inclusion in educational environments and institutions for learners of all identities.