*Original Printing: Tuesday, April 15, 2008*
I kind of feel like Dorothy swept away in a tornado. This weekend for me was chaos. Chaos in a good way, mind you. This weekend I was a volunteer (read: Slave) for the 2008 Northeastern LGBT Conference hosted here on UA's campus.
Yes, that's right, there was a whole weekend dedicated to them gays. I know, isn't that just fabulous?! Okay, okay. Enough of playing to the masses' stereotypes. There were some serious topics brought up during the conference that I think most people probably haven't thought about. Oh, and by the way, it wasn't just a conference attended by them gays. Straight people were more than welcomed and well represented.
The whole theme of this year's conference was how to enact change. Change in terminology. Change in available facilities. Changes in the minds of its attendees. And you might be asking yourself, just what needs to be changed? If that is really your mindset then you are kinda effin' crazy. Scratch that, you are effin' crazy. If you haven't noticed the world ain't all roses for the gay and lesbian community.
On of the biggest topics of this conference was gender neutral housing and bathrooms. The latter of which is not just a transgender issue. Gender neutral bathrooms do not just benefit transgender individuals, but a variety of people. They are of benefit to the disabled, fathers taking care of daughters, mothers taking care of sons, and also for intersexed individuals.
Now as a transgender student myself, I find great discomfort in having to dorm with males. Not that I don't have awesome suitemates who are supportive, but it is still un-nerving to live in a suite full of males. However, gender neutral housing would not just be of service to transgender students. It could be of benefit to heterosexual couples, siblings who want to room together, or just good friends. And it is also something that is being pushed for here on campus.
This conference, although having LGBT in the title, was a useful resource to anyone who attended. The title is deceptive. The keynote speaker, Jessica Pettit, taught those who attended her workshop how to recognize their privileges. She explained that instead of piggy backing on them for their own benefit, how to use them to benefit others and enact change. And not to go out and try to change the campus, just one person would do. Because, speaking from experience, it will trickle down.
All and all this year's conference was a success and I know all that intended would agree. So next year when you see 2009 Northeastern LGBT Conference flyers hanging around don't just think that since you are not of the gay and lesbian that it doesn't affect you. Because I can guarantee that if you go, you will walk away as a more well-rounded individual.
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