If you were on main campus on April 7, you could hear many voices on the commons behind McMicken, where a small rally, organized by the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transsexual, questioning) Alliance was held to bring to light a serious problem facing their group. Organized by students and for students, the rally brought to light some important issues that are facing the LGBTQ community. The LGBTQ community at the University of Cincinnati has been trying diligently for the past three years to get two things to better serve the needs and give support to the LGBTQ community. Every year they have been turned down.
First, they have been trying to get a larger, more permanent office and meeting area so that they are more able to meet the needs of their students on campus. Currently, the LGBTQ Alliance has offices in Steger 681. This room was an old storage closet for Student Health Services. According to the building plans and fire code, the room has a maximum capacity of eight people, which according to student activist Bridgette Leising “is not enough room to have an office and comfortable space for all the students who are involved with the LGBTQ Alliance.”
Second, the LGBTQ Alliance has been trying to secure a full time position to act as a liaison between the LGBTQ community and the University of Cincinnati administration. In a letter addressed to the University of Cincinnati Diversity Council, the Alliance states that “The benefits that a full time LGBTQ Staff member could provide to the UC community are too numerous to count. A full time staff member could be a liaison from the LGBTQ community to the UC community. They could actively support the LGBTQ campus groups, and most importantly they could provide resources to incoming and current UC students, faculty, and other community members.”
Currently, the LGBTQ community has a part time undergraduate working on its behalf. The issue surrounding securing a full time staff member is the current financial situation facing the University. “We recognize that finances are a major problem across the entire University,” Bridgette Leising said. “It is time to now consider where the finances should com from to successfully bring a full time LGBTQ staff person starting in the 2010-2011 school year.”
If you would like to support this endeavor and help out our fellow students, please read the letter on page seven of the print edition of the Activist and sign it. The letter will give you further instructions.
In order for us to celebrate our culture and diversity, we need to accept all forms of culture and diversity. In order to do this we need to unite!