By Commonground, U Of L Rso
In response to the recent article in The Louisville Cardinal’s opinion section regarding the supposed “Gay Agenda,” it is the intention of the recognized student organization commonGround to dispel the myths and blatant misstatements regarding the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, LGBTQ, community.
As stated, commonGround is far from being a “self-described club”; it is a student organization recognized by the University of Louisville and has a long history of promoting progressive issues regarding the LGBTQ community.
commonGround strives to create a place where LGBTQ students, faculty, staff, and their allies not only feel safe on campus and secure with their identity, but also have a place to advocate for a cause that is important to the greater campus community.
commonGround serves an important and necessary purpose for many different students at U of L. It has become a home to many students for different reasons.
In the sometimes crazy and always hectic life of a college student it is often difficult to find those moments to take the time to appreciate your core beliefs and those ideals for which you stand. commonGround provides LGBTQ individuals a place to voice their feelings of isolation, concern and doubt. commonGround gatherings are able to serve as hate free safe-zones for those who do not feel comfortable anywhere else and also where members are able to share their passion for social justice and the need to create change.
An important component of commonGround is to plan events centered on the LGBTQ community. Some of these events provide awareness and education, while others are for the sole purpose of having some fun.
The annual Pride Week, hosted by commonGround, is an example of a series of events that both educate and excite. Forums, cookouts, candlelight vigils and HIV/AIDS awareness days all serve to promote a LGBTQ consciousness on campus. The first annual LGBTQ Film Fest did its part to better educate the campus in a more relaxing way. PINK, now in its fifteenth year, is the longest running event put on by a RSO, and as always, provided attendees with a night of fun and excitement.
These events are all imperative to the bettering of the campus climate for two essential reasons.
First, they provide information to a campus that is not nearly as informed as it should be. It has been said many times that ignorance causes fear and with fear comes hate. With the help of programs and speakers organized by commonGround, some of that ignorance can be reduced and some of that hate will soon fade away.
Many negative responses to this organization and the greater LGBTQ community come from a place of little knowledge and it is the mission of this group to inform those uninformed individuals so that we may move on in an intellectual and dignified way.
Second, these events give visibility to commonGround so that other LGBTQ students on campus can see they are not alone. It can be terrifying for a LGBTQ individual to come out in a new place because of the hate coming from so many different directions.
If commonGround can save a student from that pain and isolation, even for just one night, then our event has made a huge impact.
It is a human instinct to stereotype a community of people you do not understand. Personal blame must sometimes be taken when these stereotypes are not able to be shaken; sometimes all this shows is a lack of commitment and a lack of presence. With a strong enough voice it would be very clear the entire LGBTQ community is not one person with one common cause or agenda.
The LGBTQ community is a vast community bursting with many different views, social and economic classes, races and ethnicities, religious beliefs, and political ideologies. Like all majority and minority groups, this community is impossible to define under one umbrella term or classification.
commonGround may, at times, be seen as a progressive group with a goal of advocating for fairness and justice which is missing on this campus. No apologies will be made for our peaceful and rational plans to overcome the oppression and injustices that face our LGBTQ family everyday.
We are being less than radical with our straightforward events and weekly gatherings which do not exist as a forum designed to cause students to question their sexuality or define themselves in any way.
If anything, commonGround will now look not to be rid of our fun events like PINK, but will instead work harder to promote education, awareness, and acceptance at this university.
