KC Spotlight: Gender and Sexuality

The month of October brings LGBTQ History Month and for many college campuses, an opportunity to remember the lives of some outstanding Queer and Trans individuals and the contributions that they have made to modern history. Although this learning should never be resorted to just one month out of the year, it is important to use the coming month as a way to engage students around LGBTQ issues. Personally, this brings on a period of reflection; the last five decades has brought an incredible amount of growth and the expansion of rights within the LGBTQ community.

These rights (the right to marry, workplace discrimination protections, etc.) have helped me and countless other Queer individuals have the courage to live openly and honestly. However, for every step that moves the Queer community forward, the steps backward maintain the disenfranchisement of Queer and Trans bodies and a general feeling of hopelessness. In my work with Queer students, this feeling of hopelessness bleeds into many of my conversations with them. I appreciate this time of year because it provides my students a time to be empowered by the amazing people that came before them and how they can find support on their own campus.

NASPA’s Gender and Sexuality KC strives to illuminate the LGBTQ community to our NASPA membership. An upcoming highlight will be at the national conference in Los Angeles, where the KC will host a display celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. These riots, which occurred outside of the Stonewall Inn on June 28^th, 1969 have become the beginning of the modern LGBTQ movement. The KC plans on commemorating the event in other exciting ways; stay tuned! Finally, there is still a chance to become part of NASPA IV-West Connections, a mentoring program that pairs LGBTQ Individuals across the region together seeking support and guidance. Please see the link below and let me know if you have any questions. You can best reach me by e-mail ([email protected]). Hope to see you in Wichita!

Link to the Connections IV-West Application:

https://goo.gl/forms/u3fuoMedI45tcRNg1