Schedule of Events
4:45 p.m. Doors open & Gathering in Reeve Ballroom
5:15 p.m. Rally Begins
6:30 p.m. Ally March
7:15 p.m. Concluding Remarks
Win a $20.00 Reeve Union gift card!
Submit your piece by Friday, April 5th @ 4:00 p.m.
(art contest rules)
Stick around after the March for:
Zach Wahls: What Makes a Family?
Reeve Ballroom: 227, 7:30 pm
On January 31, 2011, Zach Wahls addressed the Iowa House Judiciary Committee in a public hearing regarding a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in Iowa. The then-nineteen-year-old son of a same-sex couple, Wahls proudly proclaimed, “the sexual orientation of my parents has had zero effect on the content of my character.” Hours later, his speech was posted on YouTube, where it went viral, quickly receiving more than two million views. By the end of the week, everyone knew his name and wanted to hear more from the boy with two moms.
Same-sex marriage will be a major—possibly the defining—issue in this year’s election cycle, and Wahls speaks to that, but also to a broader issue. Sure, he’s handsome and athletic, an environmental engineering student, and an Eagle Scout. Yet, growing up with two moms, he knows what it’s like to feel different and to fear being made fun of or worse. In the inspirational spirit of the “It Gets Better” campaign, My Two Moms also delivers a reassuring message to same-sex couples, their kids, and anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider:
“You are not alone.”
_____________________________________________________
Hey! UWO Students!
Would you like to lead the 2013
LGBTQ Ally March?
We will also throw in a pizza party to celebrate after the march and freeT-shirts to the first teams at the rally.
Here’s How:
-
Contact members of your organization, team, floor, sorority, fraternity, friends, major, or any other group of people you associate with at UWO and create a team of 10-15 people.
-
If your organization has more than 15 people, encourage others to create groups. Organizations are welcome to have as many groups as they want. If your organization has less than 10 members ask friends and family members to join you for the march.
-
Once you have your team email lgbtqcenter@uwosh.edu with your group name for the event.
-
When your team of at least 10 people arrives at the Ally March check in and put your team name in the drawing. We will draw a name at the end of the rally and announce the team that will then immediately lead the march.
For information about the LGBTQ Ally March, Art, or Written Word Contests please contact us at the email address above or stop in the LGBTQ Resource Center Monday through Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm.
First Annual LGBTQ Ally March
Pictures (for video click HERE)
He's My friend Too!
Written by Troy Landry, winner of the First Annual LGBTQ Ally March Poetry Contest
He's My Friend Too!
You don't swing that way!?
I don't swing that way!
Don’t act like it’s a pendulum swaying back and forth
As if its lifestyle that one can choose to abort
Go ahead and keep suppressing your friend's life
Letting your comments pierce his self-expression like a knife
Sharpening the blade with your ignorant words
Afraid of a life that you deem absurd
I hear you say..."It's not normal, It ain't right"
But who are you to judge what he does in his life?
You continue silencing his voice because you won't listen
Unable to see by your own remission
Falsified notions cause him to face rejection
While your blinded by your egotistical hetero-sexist intuition
Open your mind and your eyes will see...
That beautiful young man waiting underneath
Concealing all the love he has to show
So that you can comfortably call him...'bro'
He's in search of a friend in which to confide
Not an enemy ready to take him for a ride
Someone who says I am always around
Someone to talk to when the shit is going down
An individual turned into a friend
A friend that says I'm here till the end
A friend who sheds all those adolescent fears
that if he loves another man, he’s probably queer
Embrace that love and affection
Don't be afraid of that masculine connection
Offer this man a safe haven of protection
Think of him as a perfect imperfection
Allow him expression without contention
Don't try to steer him in the "right" direction
Create a space that feels like home
And a place where love can freely roam
Tell that man, "You're alright with me"
Go ahead and be who you want to be
I know, I know...all of this is new to you
But just remember one thing, He's my friend too!
