Last week during the Culp reopening, the East Tennessee State Pride Center had its grand opening, inviting students of all genders and sexual orientations to join in celebration of the diverse experiences of students on campus.
Two years after the inaugural Tri-Cities Pride, the opening of the Pride Center signals a new era of acceptance in our small community. It is an exciting tribute to the work of activists in our region who have pushed tirelessly to let our voices be heard in a state that would much rather see us dead. Though I cannot possibly speak to every queer person’s experience on campus, the opening of the Pride Center is incredibly meaningful to me.
I personally have been subject to homophobic comments by fellow students at the university who wish to make my time at ETSU more difficult, attempting to impede my studies and campus activism with vitriolic attacks. For me, a Pride Center on campus that not only works to support LGBT students, but does so openly without fear, is very personal. It means an escape from this harassment. I have had friends who have killed themselves due to struggles with familial acceptance of their sexuality. I want ETSU to be a place of acceptance for all genders and sexualities, one that some of my loved ones never got to experience.
The work of the Pride Center should not be diminished by those who fear backlash from the community, reactionary students or conservative donors. I am excited to see our school catch up with most universities in the country and finally provide a space for LGBT people to feel safe and seen. It is a matter of life and death for many students who might not have access to other resources otherwise. The Center will undoubtedly do some of the most important work for the campus and broader community. Regardless of your identity, we should celebrate its opening.
