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The annual LGBTQ Ally March on the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh campus fosters rapport and allows allies of the LGBTQIA+ community to demonstrate acceptance of sexuality and gender diversity.

“The Ally March not only helps the LGBTQIA+ community, but also allows allies to show their support,” said Anne Van De Hey, an intern at the UW Oshkosh LGTBQ Resource Center who is working to organize the event. “I think that the sense of community fostered by the Ally March really allows people (including me) to feel supported.”

The 2018 LGBTQ Ally March takes place Thursday, April 12, beginning with a gathering at 5 p.m. in the Reeve Memorial Union Ballroom.

The event includes a Resource Fair, beginning at 5 p.m. Cosponsors will discuss what they do and how they ally with the LGBTQIA+ community. A rally will take place at 5:30 p.m., and a march through the streets of Oshkosh will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Cannon

Liz Cannon, LGBTQ Resource Center director, said the importance of the LGTBQ Ally March is two-fold.

“First, it is a time to celebrate the diversity and resilience of those in the LGBTQIA+ community and a time for those of us in the community to be proud of who we are and what we do,” she said. “Second, it is a time to recommit to being an active ally for the next 364 days to those whose sexual orientations and gender identities differ from our own—and learn new ways to show that commitment.”

Cannon said the event provides a time to recognize the work done by allies, whether it be using one’s privilege to create a space for a trans voice to be heard, working with the county board to include gender identity and gender expression in their non-discrimination policy, helping parents to understand their daughter is not going through a “phase,” or speaking up when your friends denigrate the community either directly or through jokes.

She said straight, cisgender allies are a cornerstone of the LGBTQIA+ community. Additionally, the alliance is strengthened by members of the LGBTQIA+ community supporting each other.

Van De Hey is encouraged by what she’s seeing and hearing.

“I hope that the 2018 Ally March not only sees more involvement from students, but also shows the huge amount of campus-wide and greater Oshkosh community support we’ve received—especially considering the jump in sponsorship this year,” she said. “It’s very important to know that none of us are alone and that these organizations and businesses are allies.”

Speakers

Four speakers will address the 2018 rally:

  • H. James, a community member who is co-facilitator of NEW LQBTQ Plus Round Table. James is active in the LGBTQ community and formed the Round Table to bring the LGBTQ Plus groups and resources together to share and advocate for each other. He also is active on voting rights, immigration and human trafficking.
  • Courtney Bauder, UWO Social Justice Program director, has dedicated his life to advocating for social justice and is an ally to all identities. Bauder is the force behind Social Justice Week and has grown the Social Justice Program to more than 75 minors. His dedication to the LGBTQIA+ community informs his teaching and his advocacy. He volunteers for LGBTQ Resource Center programs.
  • Nancy Hart, a graduate student at UW Oshkosh studying educational leadership and policy, is a SAFE trainer, K-12 educator and graduate research assistant. Hart volunteers her time at the LGBT Resource Center and said she works toward being a stronger ally. She plans to connect her student affairs work with her passion for supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Ilizah Portmann, a kinesiology student at UW Oshkosh, has been trained in Trauma Informed Care; Bystander Intervention; and has completed multiple SAFE trainings. She participates in the Aurora Health Care Student Leadership Pipeline Program to work toward merging the gap in diversity and healthcare. Portmann plans to continue her education to become a healthcare provider, working with marginalized groups.

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