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Creators of Everyone Is Gay website to speak at UT
By Feliza Casano : October 11th, 2011
Owens-Reid, left, and Russo
Russo and Owens-Reid founded the website everyoneisgay.com in 2010 to address lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer and questioning youth; it combines humor and serious discussion.
“After the recent onslaught of teen suicides related to LGBTQ bullying, we felt compelled to connect with our readers in a more personal, intimate format,” Russo said. “We want to talk to kids about the realities they are facing presently, and push them to change the things around them as they currently exist. We believe that youth, especially, have the power to bring change through both their attitudes and actions.”
Russo and Owens-Reid will visit UT at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, in the Student Union Auditorium.
“LGBTQ issues are really not talked about on campus, but we need to talk about it in order to make any progress,” said Kelly Staufer, president of the Panhellenic Council and a member of the UT chapter of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. “Most of the people who show opposition to this sort of thing are uneducated on how these issues affect our community and our youth.”
Staufer approached Russo and Owens-Reid last spring to discuss LGBTQ issues on campus and in the northwest Ohio area. The two are on a nationwide tour of high school and college campuses, giving interactive presentations that focus on issues surrounding the LGBTQ youth community while encouraging students to get informed and take action in the fight for equality.
“I just want people to support the event and come with an open mind. It’s not just a gay event,” Staufer said. “The speakers created their blog to discuss the issues, but also give advice — and make people laugh while doing it.”
Go to everyoneisgay.com to learn more.
The free, public event is one of a number on campus held throughout October in recognition of LGBTQA History Month. For more information, call the UT Office of Student Involvement at 419.530.2992 or visit utoledo.edu/studentaffairs/lgbt/index.html.
October 11th, 2011 at 11:52 pm
Yeah this is cool people hold a meeting about putting the lustful sin of homosexuality on a pedestal and it makes MyUT front page! However if people hold a meeting about Jesus the University is no where to be found. I mean come on when is the last time cru or any other Christian organization was ever on the front page?
October 12th, 2011 at 7:46 am
Just want to chime in that as a practicing Christian myself, I am not offended by this at all and think it’s outstanding that UT is holding awareness month events to promote love and acceptance of all people. If CRU or other Christian organizations on campus are holding events and speakers, they are welcome to submit the info to announcements@utoledo.edu to be featured in the paper and online.
Ronald: you may want to look for the coverage that’s been done of the Center for Religious Understanding events already and coming up in the next few weeks, several of which feature Christian topical speakers.