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October has been designated as the University's first ever Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual, Transgender History Month.
The month-long celebration comes as the gay community continues to heal
from the same-sex benefits controversy and Chancellor Walter Wendler's
public comments relating homosexuality to "sinful behavior."
"This helps further the issues that started over the summer with
Chancellor Wendler's comments," Rob Perez said. "It takes them in a new
positive direction with our theme, "Say it Loud, Say it Proud!"
The inaugural Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender History Month begins
today with the event "An Evening of Queer Performance," scheduled for 8
p.m. in the Marion Kleinau Theatre, located in the Communications
Building. Stephanie Howell and Scott William Gust, doctoral students in
speech communication, will perform two acts.
Rob Perez, a graduate student studying student development, said this
month is an opportunity to celebrate the history of the GLBT community
and its accomplishments and to expose others to their lifestyles. Perez
said he hopes it creates better awareness on campus and that it will
help meet the multicultural and diversity needs of "Southern at 150,"
the chancellor's plan to make SIUC a top research university by its
150th birthday in 2019.
The SIUC's awareness month coincides with the National Gay and Lesbian
History Month, which first began in 1995. October was chosen nationally
to commemorate the anniversaries of the first two gay and lesbian
marches in Washington, D.C.
Bradley Wilkins, a member of the Saluki Rainbow Network, said he
believes that most people his age have the capability to accept new
ideas and will be open minded about the month.
"I feel that this is important for the University because it is
important for gay and lesbian students and others to know their history
and their culture," said Wilkins, a junior studying speech
communications.
Last year, Saluki Rainbow Network celebrated "Coming Out Week," which
ran from the Oct. 11 through Oct. 15. Expanding its success, a plan was
hatched to celebrate for the entire month.
"They had already laid the groundwork for some of the history of doing
this month," Perez said. "Everybody was excited about it and wanted to
make it happen."
Wilkins said he believes that the GLBT community on campus is not
visible unless a person is looking for it.
"We're not widely publicized," he said. "We're not a large group."
Wilkins said individuals may want to seek a group like the Saluki
Rainbow Network or LEGALS, but sometimes the fear of being ostracized
may be too much.
"Celebrating the month improves the visibility of the GLBT community on
campus," Perez said. "I don't think sexual orientation is something that
a lot of people beyond the gay community actually deal with or want to
deal with in the campus climate."
Wilkins said the events are open to everyone on campus and not just the
GLBT community.
"Some people may be afraid to come, because if they are seen at a gay
event it will be assumed that they are gay," Wilkins said. "This is the
same as other history months, going to a gay event will not make you
gay."
A few of the events will deal with identities beyond sexual orientation,
including the intersection of sexuality and race.
On Oct. 7, Rick Garcia will present his lecture "Being Latino and Gay"
and Jorge Oliver will screen his film "Pride in Puerto Rico." This event
will deal with the identities of race and sexuality that can be a
struggle in identity development.
Wilkins said he hopes this event will raise awareness about the services
available to the GLBT community.
"SRN is one of the oldest running student organizations in the country,"
he said. "We've been running straight through for 34 years."
Perez said he is glad for the opportunity to show people that there is a
larger community out there.
"This is to help people celebrate and be proud of who they are," he
said.
For a complete calendar of events visit
www.siu.edu/~studdev/glbt.htmL
Students can call the Prideline at 453-5151 beginning October 18.
Daily Egyptian 
