When it comes to spreading awareness regarding social issues, it is important to educate others to get a point across. The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs’ (MSA) new student organization Free To Be Me made history by holding Shippensburg University’s first panel discussion on issues that students of color who also identify as members of the LGBTQ community face on a daily basis.
The panel was held in Gilbert Hall on Thursday, October 16, 2014. It started out with introductions by the panelists. Each panelist spoke about their personal journeys up to this point, including but not limited to coming out about their sexualities to their families and friends, how their social lives changed after coming out and the discrimination they face every day.
Moderated by the Director of MSA Diane Jefferson and Assistant to the Director of MSA Kapri Brown, the panel also included a question and answer session. Audience members were able to give comments to the panelists or ask them questions.
Free To Be Me was founded this year by president of the club Cory Layton in conjunction with MSA because he and many others felt that there was a lack of support at Shippensburg University for people like him. Layton hopes that Free To Be Me can be a support system for students who come from “families of color with a strong religious background that just happen to be gay.”
Layton believes that it is important for Free To Be Me to be perceived as a home. “It’s hard coming out of the closet and admitting that you’re gay. You may lose friends, family members, or even get kicked out of the house,” Layton said. “There is a variety of things that people go through, and it varies from person to person.”
The organization is open to all students, however. No matter their ethnic background or sexual orientation, every student is welcome to join Free To Be Me. “I try my hardest to make sure every voice is heard and that every student feels comfortable being themselves here at Shippensburg University.”
Regarding the future of Free To Be Me, Layton said that he hopes “the group continues to grow in number and in understanding.” Through its weekly meetings, panel discussions and all future events that are planned to aid in the organization’s goal of spreading awareness and tolerance, Layton foresees the group making a big difference at Shippensburg University and beyond. “I want us to actually make a difference.”
Free To Be Me holds its meetings every Thursday at 7pm in Gilbert Hall.
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