‘We’re here and we’re not leaving’

By Brittney Bruner

It may be her first semester, but political science major Alyson Hill has her hands full of activities.

This past week has perhaps been the busiest for her and many others involved in commonGround, a union for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities at the University of Louisville.

This is because Hill, a first semester freshman, is also vice president of commonGround and co-chairman of Pride Week.

“All of these events are extremely significant for the participants, for we do feel the need to inform every one of our issues. It is easy to ignore something if you don’t know it’s there,” Hill said.

Pride Week kicked off on Thurs., Nov. 8, with a cookout at the Red Barn.

Students received free food and t-shirts and the opportunity to talk with individuals concerned with the issues facing our gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questionable, intersex and ally community at U of L.

According to Ryan Kuyers, junior nursing major and president of commonGround, “The response was absolutely amazing” with an estimated 400-500 student and faculty turnout at the cook-out.

Festivities continue today with Live Homosexual Acts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Belknap campus between the Interfaith Center and the Life Sciences Building and an address by Dr. Kalia Story between 6 and 7 p.m.

“Some of the events, however, are more concerned with educational aspects, especially educating students on the HIV and AIDS epidemic that continues today and ‘The state of gay America’ which will be a speech given by Dr. Story,” said Hill.

Pride Week comes to a close on Nov. 14, which is HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, with a Candlelight Vigil at 7 p.m.

Students plan to discuss gay issues, gay and coming out stories and a plethora of other topics concerning the GLBTQQIA community in the quad.

Pride Week is an effort by students and faculty on campus to bring awareness on issues facing GLBTQQIA students at U of L. Through the Student Government Association and commonGround, they will attempt to raise awareness about the dilemmas these students face on and off campus and promote equality.

“I believe that Pride Week is an important celebration of diversity, and encourages understanding of the gay and lesbian community,” said Drew Cash, a sophomore theatre arts major.

“This is very important to the U of L community because we are a university that takes pride in learning about and communicating with people who are different from us in order to achieve our highest potential.”

“These events are important to show the campus that U of L is accepting of all orientations and gender identities,” said Hill. “There is a GLBT[QQIA] community on campus ready to welcome students.”

Throughout Pride Week, students hope these events will enlighten students on the ultimate cause of commonGround. According to Hill, the combination of events simultaneously work to highlight three crucial purposes: the celebration of pride within the GLBTQQIA community, the effort to raise awareness of the presence of the organization on U of L’s campus and the endeavor to educate students on specific epidemics including HIV and AIDS.

“I’m not opposed to the event being held since trying to stop it would be a clear infringement on their rights,” said Cole Morrison, a sophomore mathematics and business economics major. “I do think that the GLBTQQIA represent another minority that is simply trying to fight for better treatment. Just as racial and gender equality are regarded with importance, so should this organization’s interests.”

Ultimately, students of all sexual orientations, both involved in commonGround and merely spectators, hope that throughout Pride Week recognition of equality will be a key product.

“I basically want everyone to accept everyone else and recognize the GLBTQQIA communities. We have students both gay and straight involved,” said freshman Tyler Donovan, an undeclared major and director of publicity for commonGround. “It’s about accepting one another and promoting equality and tolerance on campus and in the city of Louisville.”

Hill said, “[These events] simply say ‘We’re here and we’re not leaving.'”

“I expect to raise awareness of our organization, commonGround, and also to raise awareness of the issues that face the GLBTQQIA community,” said Kuyer. “Lastly, we hope that people will have fun, and will come to these events with an open mind and see that GLBTQQIA people are no different than anyone else.”