Something to talk about
Group holds daylong conference to start conversations for campus, community, state
Alan Balch
Issue date: 3/10/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
"Gay" is a word most often spoken in whispers, especially in the Bible belt South.
Recent developments in the country and the state have forced the gay community center stage, for better or for worse.
The UNA Gay-Straight Alliance believes the time has come for UNA students to stop speaking in whispers and start having meaningful conversations about these topics.
The group has organized a daylong conference called "Created Equal" to start some discussions on campus.
All students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to the free conference.
"The underlying theme of this conference is that gay people are really just like straight people," GSA events coordinator Nancy Gillis said. "We are simply equal; nothing more, nothing less."
The conference will be held Friday in the GUC Performance Center. Check-in starts at 8 a.m. and sessions will kick off at 9 a.m.
Free meals will be provided all day for conference attendees and guests. Door prizes will also be awarded.
Students from GSAs and other groups at universities across Alabama will also be a part of the dialogue.
Speakers will discuss topics including gays and lesbians and Christianity, political activism, campus relations and stress management. The speakers represent a diverse array of groups from across Alabama, including Communities of Faith for Full Inclusion (COFFI), Equality Alabama, and Soul Force.
UNA will also be well represented at the conference. Panelists from UNA include SGA president Katrina Brown, Campus HIV AwarenessTask Force president Shina Southard, Student Life events coordinator Amy Ellis and GSA advisor Dr. Nancy Atkinson.
The keynote performer will be Kirk Read, a noted Southern author. His presentation will be at 7 p.m.
The day will end with entertainment from musical guest Dust Cap 3-Way. The band, from Fulton, Miss., will start its set at 9:30 p.m.
The conference is funded through grants and donations collected by the GSA.
The GSA petitioned UNA's University Program Council for funds in January. UPC representatives voted down the proposal in February.
A major factor in the 19-7 vote was the amount of money the GSA asked for. Some groups felt the GSA had not done enough fundraising on its own. Others were concerned about the keynote speaker's credentials.
Following the UPC decision, many stepped forward to show their support. The GSA received $1,000 from the UNA Office of Student Life and $500 each in grant money from Equality Alabama and Soul Force.
In addition, the group collected more than $1,700 in personal donations from supporters across the country.
"The support we've received has been overwhelming and encouraging," said Megan McClellan, GSA secretary-treasurer.
The conference has been a hot topic on AL.com's UNA forum.
"The conference would not be well-received in the Shoals. Alabama is in the Bible belt," said a poster with the username UNASaint41.
Poster buddha333 dissented, citing the GSA's First Amendment right to free speech.
UNASaint41 added that Friday classes would conflict with the conference.
Buddha333 had a different attitude: "Skip class. Go learn something real."
GSAcon'05
Friday, March 11
Guillot University Center
All events are free for UNA students, faculty and staff.
PC=Performance Center - Room numbers are for GUC
For updates & details: http://www2.una.edu/gsa/gsacon05/
Recent developments in the country and the state have forced the gay community center stage, for better or for worse.
The UNA Gay-Straight Alliance believes the time has come for UNA students to stop speaking in whispers and start having meaningful conversations about these topics.
The group has organized a daylong conference called "Created Equal" to start some discussions on campus.
All students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to the free conference.
"The underlying theme of this conference is that gay people are really just like straight people," GSA events coordinator Nancy Gillis said. "We are simply equal; nothing more, nothing less."
The conference will be held Friday in the GUC Performance Center. Check-in starts at 8 a.m. and sessions will kick off at 9 a.m.
Free meals will be provided all day for conference attendees and guests. Door prizes will also be awarded.
Students from GSAs and other groups at universities across Alabama will also be a part of the dialogue.
Speakers will discuss topics including gays and lesbians and Christianity, political activism, campus relations and stress management. The speakers represent a diverse array of groups from across Alabama, including Communities of Faith for Full Inclusion (COFFI), Equality Alabama, and Soul Force.
UNA will also be well represented at the conference. Panelists from UNA include SGA president Katrina Brown, Campus HIV AwarenessTask Force president Shina Southard, Student Life events coordinator Amy Ellis and GSA advisor Dr. Nancy Atkinson.
The keynote performer will be Kirk Read, a noted Southern author. His presentation will be at 7 p.m.
The day will end with entertainment from musical guest Dust Cap 3-Way. The band, from Fulton, Miss., will start its set at 9:30 p.m.
The conference is funded through grants and donations collected by the GSA.
The GSA petitioned UNA's University Program Council for funds in January. UPC representatives voted down the proposal in February.
A major factor in the 19-7 vote was the amount of money the GSA asked for. Some groups felt the GSA had not done enough fundraising on its own. Others were concerned about the keynote speaker's credentials.
Following the UPC decision, many stepped forward to show their support. The GSA received $1,000 from the UNA Office of Student Life and $500 each in grant money from Equality Alabama and Soul Force.
In addition, the group collected more than $1,700 in personal donations from supporters across the country.
"The support we've received has been overwhelming and encouraging," said Megan McClellan, GSA secretary-treasurer.
The conference has been a hot topic on AL.com's UNA forum.
"The conference would not be well-received in the Shoals. Alabama is in the Bible belt," said a poster with the username UNASaint41.
Poster buddha333 dissented, citing the GSA's First Amendment right to free speech.
UNASaint41 added that Friday classes would conflict with the conference.
Buddha333 had a different attitude: "Skip class. Go learn something real."
GSAcon'05
Friday, March 11
Guillot University Center
| 8a.m.-5p.m. | Check-In PC | |
| 8 - 8:50 | Free Breakfast | PC |
| 9 - 9:50 | "Here Comes the Welcome Wagon" | PC |
| 10 - 10:50 | HIV/AIDS + STI Awareness & Education | PC |
| 10 - 10:50 | Advisors Roundtable | 225A |
| 10 - 10:50 | Student Leaders Roundtable | 225C |
| 11 - 11:50 | Keeping the Faith PC: Christianity & the Gay Community | |
| Noon-12:50 | Political Activism and You | PC |
| 12 - 4 | Free & Confidential HIV Testing | 203 |
| 1 - 1:50 | Free Lunch | PC |
| 2 - 2:50 | Creating a Comfortable Climate on Campus | PC |
| 3 - 4:50 | Documentary Film "Brother Outsider" The Life of Bayard Rustin | PC |
| 3 - 4:50 | Storytelling Workshop with special guest Kirk Read | 225 |
| 5 - 5:50 | Just Deal: Managing Stress | PC |
| 6 - 7 | Free Dinner | Loft |
| 7 - 8:30 | Keynote Event Special guest Kirk Read | PC |
| 8:30 - 9 | Book Signing/Meet the author | PC |
| 9 - 9:30 | "Closing Time..." | PC |
| 9:30-11p.m. | Free Concert - Dust Cap 3-Way | PC |
All events are free for UNA students, faculty and staff.
PC=Performance Center - Room numbers are for GUC
For updates & details: http://www2.una.edu/gsa/gsacon05/
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