The ETSU Office of Equity and Inclusion recently announced they will be hosting a seminar entitled “Becoming a LGBTQ Ally.” This is a step towards encouraging inclusion on campus, but what else needs to be done to increase inclusivity and acceptance in our community?
Increasing the conversation surrounding LGBTQ issues is vital to acceptance in our community. Not just during special events like the seminar, but every day. Acceptance and inclusivity are not just one and done occurrences; they require constant discussion and vigilance to completely unlearn internalized prejudice and work through it. I think education is the first step in this process.
ETSU should host more seminars like this to educate as many of their students as they can; students can learn how to spot blatant discrimination and homophobia, how to identify internalized homophobia and how move forward. After more students have been educated, I think student discussion is the next step.
Hosting both formal and informal open discussions would be beneficial. Maybe a few students or faculty members could be chosen for a panel where the audience asks questions, and the panel has a discussion. Panels could be done virtually for now and move to in-person in the future.
When it is eventually safe to host events again, I think it would be great for ETSU to host a Pride Day or Pride Week. This event would have games, food and music, and all the food vendors and entertainers would be members of the LGBTQ community. The event would encourage people to just be completely themselves and give them an opportunity to meet other people and allies as well as seem themselves represented in their community.
I think ETSU has been taking steps to promote inclusivity of all kinds with the occasional guest speaker or special event. However, a couple special events a year is not enough. We need to create a culture of education that encourages open discussion and acceptance on a regular basis. If we can normalize acceptance and inclusion in our everyday lives, then we can truly celebrate with special events.
