GSA's Gaypril promotes tolerance
Jordan Wall
Issue date: 4/25/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Last week, the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) kicked off its first "GayPril" by celebrating the lives of members of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning/Queer (GLBTQ) community and educating the campus about daily issues that those individuals face.
The week started on Monday night with the opening of Richmond Blake '09's art exhibit, "Buying for Equality," in the Union Atrium.
The exhibit included boxes and labels of over 400 products that Americans typically buy.
Blake ranked these products as green, yellow or red based on a report ranking their manufacturers' equality practices that the Human Rights Council (HRC) issues annually.
"I was surprised b the products in the show," Elyse Harris '08 said. "It's made me a better shopper."
Blake envisioned the project after receiving a grant from the People for the American Way Foundation.
"I was fascinated with the idea of the [HRC-sponsored] guide," Blake said. "I really wanted to bring it to life, and I think it was a huge success."
GayPril continued on Wednesday with a display outside Chambers for the National Day of Silence.
The National Day of Silence recognizes individuals in the GLBTQ community who are unable to express themselves for fear of social ridicule and retributio.
Due to complications that prevented a representative from the HRC slated to come from speaking, the GSA instead sponsored a screening of the documentary "Almost Myself."
The documentary details the struggles of several transgender women who made the transition from men into women.
GSA screened another film, "Imagine Me and You," on Thursday night in the Sprinkle Room.
The movie concerns a woman who seems to have it all: a wonderful husband, a colorful mixture of friends and family and financial security.
Her life slowly disintegrates, however, after she falls in love with the florist from her wedding.
The GSA provided pink triangle-shaped cookies at the showing to promote equality.
The week of GayPril finished with an ice cream social in the Union Amphitheater where students could enjoy free Ben & Jerry's ice cream and gelato while tie-dying T-shirts.
Although Blake is not sure if the events actually increased acceptance and tolerance for GLBTQ issues on campus, he said that "it showed that the GSA, and the GLBTQ community is here.
"These events show that we're moving forward toward advocacy for gay rights, rather than mere awareness amongst students," Blake said.
"We want people to know that some of their friends, sitting right beside them, don't enjoy equal rights."
The week started on Monday night with the opening of Richmond Blake '09's art exhibit, "Buying for Equality," in the Union Atrium.
The exhibit included boxes and labels of over 400 products that Americans typically buy.
Blake ranked these products as green, yellow or red based on a report ranking their manufacturers' equality practices that the Human Rights Council (HRC) issues annually.
"I was surprised b the products in the show," Elyse Harris '08 said. "It's made me a better shopper."
Blake envisioned the project after receiving a grant from the People for the American Way Foundation.
"I was fascinated with the idea of the [HRC-sponsored] guide," Blake said. "I really wanted to bring it to life, and I think it was a huge success."
GayPril continued on Wednesday with a display outside Chambers for the National Day of Silence.
The National Day of Silence recognizes individuals in the GLBTQ community who are unable to express themselves for fear of social ridicule and retributio.
Due to complications that prevented a representative from the HRC slated to come from speaking, the GSA instead sponsored a screening of the documentary "Almost Myself."
The documentary details the struggles of several transgender women who made the transition from men into women.
GSA screened another film, "Imagine Me and You," on Thursday night in the Sprinkle Room.
The movie concerns a woman who seems to have it all: a wonderful husband, a colorful mixture of friends and family and financial security.
Her life slowly disintegrates, however, after she falls in love with the florist from her wedding.
The GSA provided pink triangle-shaped cookies at the showing to promote equality.
The week of GayPril finished with an ice cream social in the Union Amphitheater where students could enjoy free Ben & Jerry's ice cream and gelato while tie-dying T-shirts.
Although Blake is not sure if the events actually increased acceptance and tolerance for GLBTQ issues on campus, he said that "it showed that the GSA, and the GLBTQ community is here.
"These events show that we're moving forward toward advocacy for gay rights, rather than mere awareness amongst students," Blake said.
"We want people to know that some of their friends, sitting right beside them, don't enjoy equal rights."
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