"Sticks and Stones...." www.alliancend.com Today is yet another day when students and faculty have been asked to wear their http://www.finebyme.org/index.html
ORANGE T- shirts "Gay? Fine By Me?"
I saw an article after the last time the shirts were worn and wanted to learn more and I did. I applaud the groups courage to fight for equality. I feel a wee bit timid being the only faculty with one in my building. But other faculty are wearing them. Some faculty have come up and inquired about the shirt because they were unaware that it was not JUST for students. I believe the mystery surrounding the shirts and the events have a lot to do with the fact that the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) of students, faculty, and staff are not officially recognized by the University.
I feel as a representative of "Diversity" in libraries, it is incumbent upon me to promote diverse beliefs and lifestyles and values. All too often, people confuse my being an African-American as the sum total of my contribution to diversity. Well they are in for a rude awakening. I have some of the most diverse thoughts on most subjects, and am not afraid to vocalize them. Sure wearing the shirt is attracting some stares but actually no more than when I first arrived. If I am this reticent and I am NOT GAY, I cannot begin to imagine how difficult it would be to walk around this campus or this homophobic world, and proclaim that you are gay.
Below is a schedule of events planned. On my Amnesty International listserv the question was posed:
What is your MORALITY Goal for this month?
I guess it is to stand up for equal treatment for all of God's children.
Tuesday, October 11: National Coming Out Day
Come Out of Your Closet!- 4:30 pm, South Quad.
“Come out” of a life-size closet for whatever reason you choose, and learn more about the significance of the act of coming out to members of the GLBTQ community. Also, a table in Lafun (GRC and Standing Committee on G&L Student Needs)
Wednesday, October 12:
8:00pm, Grotto Matthew Shepard Memorial Prayer Service
Prayer service to remember the murder of Matthew Shepard, victim of gay hate crime in 1998
Events Individually Sponsored by One or More of the Following: AllianceND, Progressive Student Alliance, Feminist Voice, Gender Relations Center & Standing Committee for Gay and Lesbian Student Needs, Sociology Dept., & Graduate Student Union.
I am doing a tutorial and assignment on History & Validation of Cases using Westlaw and Lexis.
