2008 Woodie Awards
Open Comes Out
It's not just a 'gay thing'
Anna Douglas and Jo Maxwell
Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: News
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Twenty sponsors have joined together for one cause: bringing awareness and acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people to campus. The Open campaign was launched Monday, and will feature events until Oct. 5.
But coordinator Angad Chera said it's not a "gay thing." A majority of the sponsors are not affiliated with the gay community, and the events are designed for everyone, he said.
The campaign began when the senior saw a chance in his integrated marketing communication field to use his skills constructively.
"I saw the opportunity to market a social issue," he said. "Instead of getting paid to market a consumer product, I decided to market a social issue and change the world."
Chera added that Bethany Marlowe, dean of students, also gave unconditional support to the campaign. Chera noted that it was at this point when he realized what he could do with the project.
"The project really started to come together when I started to work with Dean Marlowe, her representing the administration and me and the students," Chera said. "A hybrid of students, faculty and staff for one cause."
Marlowe has been involved in the project from the beginning.
"I wanted to be supportive of the idea," she said. "This particular cause is very important. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people don't always have a voice in matters that impact their lives."
The campaign is centered around a week-long selection of cultural events, some pending credit. Chera said that ultimately he would love to see students come along and engage in the activities.
"I'm hoping that a lot of people come to the events and have a good time," he said. "Every event is awesome. Everything has its own little spice to it, plus students can get culture credit, and it's free."
Dean Marlowe is also excited about the upcoming events.
"I think its going to be terrific," she said. "It's so varied - a drag show, to a panel, to a wedding. It's going to stimulate a lot of conversation."
But coordinator Angad Chera said it's not a "gay thing." A majority of the sponsors are not affiliated with the gay community, and the events are designed for everyone, he said.
The campaign began when the senior saw a chance in his integrated marketing communication field to use his skills constructively.
"I saw the opportunity to market a social issue," he said. "Instead of getting paid to market a consumer product, I decided to market a social issue and change the world."
Chera added that Bethany Marlowe, dean of students, also gave unconditional support to the campaign. Chera noted that it was at this point when he realized what he could do with the project.
"The project really started to come together when I started to work with Dean Marlowe, her representing the administration and me and the students," Chera said. "A hybrid of students, faculty and staff for one cause."
Marlowe has been involved in the project from the beginning.
"I wanted to be supportive of the idea," she said. "This particular cause is very important. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people don't always have a voice in matters that impact their lives."
The campaign is centered around a week-long selection of cultural events, some pending credit. Chera said that ultimately he would love to see students come along and engage in the activities.
"I'm hoping that a lot of people come to the events and have a good time," he said. "Every event is awesome. Everything has its own little spice to it, plus students can get culture credit, and it's free."
Dean Marlowe is also excited about the upcoming events.
"I think its going to be terrific," she said. "It's so varied - a drag show, to a panel, to a wedding. It's going to stimulate a lot of conversation."
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