We Will Not Be Silent: The Reality of LBGT

Posted on 21. Apr, 2010 by Tim Widmer in Campus

It was an early February morning when Lawrence Forbes “Larry” King walked into E.O. Green Junior High. It was a school morning not unlike any other school morning. Larry went to his first period computer class. This would be the last class he would ever attend. Fellow student, fourteen year old Brandon McInerny sat down in his seat, opened his backpack and pulled out a .22 revolver. He raised it and fired twice, killing fifteen-year-old Larry King.  King was taken to the hospital where he was declared brain dead shortly.

The murder of Larry King was a hate crime, but maybe not the kind you would first expect. Larry King was not murdered because of his race. He was killed because of his sexuality and gender expression. King came out as openly gay at the age of ten. A naturally effeminate young man, King was tormented and bullied by the other students at his school for the next five years. This tormenting culminated in his murder on February 12, 2008. Brandon McInerny killed King because he was gay.

Regardless of whether you voted for proposition eight or not. This kind of violence is unacceptable. Each year LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) individuals are bullied, teased, and taunted because of their sexuality. Some are murdered, many are beaten, and some commit suicide. As you can well imagine this harassment has forced many students to stay in the so-called “closet” for fear of their own well-being. Hundreds of thousands of students are forced into silence because they are afraid to be who they are. Anti-LGBT action is a big problem in America today.

In 1996, students at the University of Virginia established a day of action in an attempt to create safer school campuses for all. Each year, for the past fourteen years, thousands of students nationwide have expressed solidarity for those who have been silenced by anti-LGBT behavior. Many participants identify as LGBT themselves, but many are straight individuals who consider themselves allies of their LGBT friends.

You may not have noticed, but at least for some students, Friday at PUC was a just a little quieter than any other normal Friday. Several PUC students participated in this year’s “National Day of Silence” organized by the GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network). They expressed their solidarity with LGBT students everywhere but particularly with LGBT students within our Adventist system, and even more importantly with students here on our own campus.

I participated in this year’s DOS event for the first time. I, being young and idealistic was hoping that maybe the youth of our church were past bigotry. However, the Day of Silence showed me different. It seemed that as I was silent I became even more aware of what people were saying around me. I heard many scoffers saying things like, “When you change the world…Let me know” or asking critically in response to the event “What the h**l is a pansexual? Does that mean the like animals?” A quick look through the Facebook walls posts of some of my friends and I saw more of the same. One of my friends announced through a status that he was participating in this year’s event, and somebody wrote, “DISLIKE! You of all people really???” It was responses like this that left me disheartened. The fact of the matter is that bigotry still exists within our little haven on the hill.

Identifying as LGBT is not easy and it does not present an easy road in the future. Many LGBT individuals loose friends and family because they reveal their sexuality. In Adventism, the response is also this harsh. Adventism, like many fundamental Christian churches does not have the best track record in providing support for those who identify as LGBT. Those who are “out” have had to rely on close friends for support, without very few other people to turn to. However times are changing and organizations are beginning to be formed. One of the biggest resources for Adventists is a group called Kinship. Their websites boasts, “Supporting and advocating for gay Adventists since 1976. “

One of the best and closest resources for those who want to find out more about LGBT on our campus and within a spiritual community is GASP (Gay and Straight People). This underground and student led discussion group provides support for LGBT students on campus. It’s open to both LGBT individuals and allies. You can find them on Facebook and join the group. GASP is a great way to find like-minded peers to talk to about LGBT issues. It’s a great way to take the first steps to begin to build a supportive LGBT community on campus.

There is also a “Safe Place” program here at PUC. About 20 faculty have opened their door at any time for you if you need a place to talk. Their doors will bear the Safe Place logo. Just stop by any of their offices and say, “I need a safe place to talk.” They are more than willing to spend a little time talking to you.  There is a list of faculty who participate in the “Safe Place” program on their website. Some supportive faculty on campus include Aubyn Fulton, Alex Carpenter, Shana Ruggenberg, and Leticia Russell.

For those of you who are struggling and questioning right now. I have four words for you: You are not alone. There are a lot of places from which you can receive support.

Resources:

SDA Kinship – www.sdakinship.org

GASP – Search GASP on Facebook.

Safe Place – http://pucsafeplace.wordpress.com

Thespianage: A DAS Update

Posted on 11. Oct, 2009 by Tim Widmer in Campus

Dramatic Arts Society (DAS) is happy to announce their 2009-2010 Season. DAS once again continues in its tradition of excellent theater this year with a jam-packed new season, and boy, this season is a great one! Not only do I have to tell you that because I am the intern and it is my job, but because we truly do have an awesome season lined up. Many of you attended Lyrics from Lockdown, our first major event of the year. The incredible Bryonn Bain rocked the microphone in our very own Dauphene Chapel this past Sunday. The show had an incredible turnout and an incredible showing of support, and I would like to thank all of you your support of an incredible performer. Bain’s one man show is not that only incredible thing we are going to bring to you this year.

Our next event is entitled Shuffle: A 24 Hour Festival. I have to say this is one of my favorite events of the year. All of the artists will get together, and in twenty-four hours, we will prepare and perform for one night only these brand-new creations. Last year, I had the opportunity to direct for the event, and I have to say that it is by far one of the most exciting and entertaining theater going experiences I have been a part of. Four writers, four directors, twenty actors, twenty-four hours of craziness. Shuffle will be performed on November 15th.

Later this quarter the Dramatic Arts Society has been commissioned by the Adventist Association of Women and Spectrum Magazine to create a new work entitled This Adventist Life. The piece imitates the NPR live radio show of a similar name (This American Life) and is hosted by PUC’s own Alexander Carpenter. The show itself is a combination of story, song, and video mashup using material ranging from the 1990s film The Nostradamus Kid, and the Uncle Arthur bedtime story The Two Carolines. In short, this show is about what makes us Adventist when viewed by insiders and by those outside of the community looking in.

And that’s just fall quarter.

Winter Quarter brings us an as yet untitled new work festival, headed up by new work by local playwrights, including many aspiring student playwrights. Spring Quarter will bring the sounds of show tunes to our campus, as the next big DAS project will be a full musical production.  The word on the street is that it just might be the famous Sound of Music.

It’s going to be an incredible year of theater, and I hope to see you all at the show!