The Mary V. Jordan Multicultural Center continued its series, entitled “Privilege Walk,” on Tuesday, Oct. 19, in collaboration with the Dr. Patricia Robertson Pride Center. During this event, students examined various privileges found within gender identity and sexual orientation.

In the series, students began by standing in a horizontal line before being asked a multitude of questions. If said question or statement applied to them, they took a step forward. If not, they remained in their position.

Statements such as “I can walk in public with my significant other and people do not do a double-take or stare” and “If I go to a movie or read a magazine, I can be sure I will find someone of my sexual orientation,” for example, brought only a handful of students forward, while most others stood still.

Afterwards, students gathered in the Mary V. Jordan Multicultural Center with several faculty members to discuss their answers and share their thoughts.

“Until I was in my late teens,” said a queer student, “I never experienced a place where it was okay to not be a boy or a girl.”

Several others discussed being queer students in heavily heterosexual and cisgender-dominated fields such as STEM or nursing, expressing that it is difficult to find a true place of belonging.

The purpose of the “Privilege Walk” series is to raise awareness of marginalized groups by bringing understanding via demonstration.

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