The 6th annual LGBTQ Ally March will be held at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh April 15.
The event, which is free and open to the public, kicks off at 5 p.m. with a rally in the Reeve Memorial Union ballroom on campus. The evening continues with a march into Oshkosh beginning at 6:15 p.m.
The LGBTQ Ally March is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, a time to recommit to what it means to be an ally to the identities in this community and a chance to thank those who are truly walking the walk of being an ally. The Ally March celebrates those who are dedicated to making schools, communities, nation and world safer and more accepting of sexuality and gender diversity.
The annual event is sponsored by the LGBTQ Resource Center at UW Oshkosh, as well as Chancellor Andrew and Karen Leavitt, Beta Theta Pi, CARE, Career Services, Dean of Students, Department of Residence Life, Division of Academic Support of Inclusive Excellence, Interfraternity Council, Non-Traditional Student Organization, Offbeat Press, Panhellenic Council, Rainbow Alliance for H.O.P.E., Reeve Union, Reeve Union Board, Sign Language Club, Social Justice Club, Social Justice Program, Student Recreation and Wellness Center, U Matter Peer Educators, Undergraduate Advising Resource Center, University Books & More, United Students in Residence Halls, UWO College Democrats, Women’s Advocacy Council and the Women’s Center.
“Allies are a corner-stone of the LGBTQ+ Community,” said Liz Cannon, director of the LGBTQ Resource Center at UW Oshkosh.
Ashley Ostermann, a student at UW Oshkosh working to organize the march, stands by and believes in the ally pledge, which is: “I believe all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, deserve to feel safe and supported. ”
“The Ally March is a chance for us all to step forward and proudly support those who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community,” Ostermann said. “This is an important event for the community because it is a chance to learn about/from the LBGTQ+ community. It is a chance to gain understanding of all members of the community. It is a public chance to show you are a safe and supportive person to this community.”
Ostermann said she hopes campus and community members will participate in the Ally March because it’s a great chance to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community.
“It’s a public chance to show you are a safe and supportive person,” she said. “College is an especially important time for this because you are expanding your general knowledge, but also expanding your knowledge about people.”
The LGBTQ Resource Center at UW Oshkosh was founded in 2008 with an overarching mission to create a safe, inclusive and affirming campus climate for students, faculty and staff of all genders and sexualities through education, advocacy and support. The LGBTQ Resource Center offers informational materials on a variety of LGBTQ+ issues and has an extensive LGBTQ+ focused library containing books and DVDs. The LGBTQ Resource Center is located on the lower level of the UW Oshkosh Center for Equity and Diversity.
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