Date: Mon, 24 Oct 1994 18:40:48 -0500 (CDT) From: Kevyn D Jacobs Subject: WASHBURN UNIVERSITY: PROJECT EQUAL FORMS! PROJECT EQUAL c/o Washburn Office of Student Activities Washburn University 1700 College Ave. Topeka, KS 66621 913-231-1010, ext. 1723 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: POLITICAL COORDINATOR DOUG GLAZE 913-354-7922 (voice) or (email) LESBIAN AND GAY STUDENTS AT WASHBURN ORGANIZE AGAINST DISCRIMINATION PROJECT EQUAL LAUNCHED (Washburn University, Topeka, KS) - Lesbian and Gay students at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas met on Tuesday, October 11 to celebrate National Coming Out Day by forming the campus' first-ever Lesbian and Gay undergraduate student association. "We're all in different stages in the process of coming out," said Doug Glaze, a Washburn student and an organizer of the meeting. "We all have different points of view about who we are and what we'd like to see happen on our campus. But we all believe that discrimination against Lesbians and Gay men based solely upon their sexual orientation is wrong. I think the one thing that binds us together is our belief that Lesbians and Gay men have a right to equality under the laws and policies of our university, city, state, and nation." To reflect this belief, the new student organization will call itself Project Equal. The group will work to educate the campus community about the realities of discrimination against Lesbian and Gay students and propose solutions to the problems this discrimination presents. Project Equal will also work at providing a safe and supportive environment for Lesbian and Gay students on the Washburn University campus. "I think we have an advantage here at Washburn because we're one of the few schools in Kansas to have an anti-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation," said Glaze, who said that policy was one of the things that first attracted him to the school and ultimately led to his decision to enroll at Washburn. University officials have been very supportive of efforts to start Project Equal, Glaze said. "Unfortunately, we also have the disadvantage of being located in Topeka, which is home to one of the most infamous anti-Gay bigots in the country," said Glaze, referring to the Rev. Fred Phelps. Phelps has gained national notoriety for his harassment of individuals and businesses which support Lesbian and Gay equality, and for his picketing of the funerals of persons who have died of AIDS. Phelps and many of his followers are graduates of Washburn University and maintain a presence on campus with frequent anti-Gay protests. "If anything," Glaze said, "Phelps and the oppressive atmosphere his campaign brings to campus points to a need for Project Equal. Lesbian and Gay students need to be assured of a supportive and safe environment on campus in order for them to pursue their academic careers." Project Equal will work to provide such an environment for Lesbian and Gay students by holding educational seminars, inviting speakers to address issues of concern, and by advocating for policies and laws that ensure equal protection for Lesbian and Gay students. One of the first things Project Equal will seek to accomplish is the establishment of a speaker's bureau which will provide university faculty and administration with a list of students willing to speak to classes and meetings dealing with Lesbian and Gay concerns. "Lesbian and Gay persons are often represented in the classroom setting only by statistics, or a textbook, or a person who is not a Lesbian or Gay man," said Glaze. "That isn't right. We think it is important that students be additionally exposed to Lesbian and Gay issues by someone who is themselves openly Lesbian or Gay." Project Equal filed for and received approval to be listed as an officially recognized student organization from University officials shortly after the meeting. History professor Bill Cecil-Fronsman and Social Work professor Dr. Nancie Palmer will serve as faculty advisors for the group. The next meeting of Project Equal will be held Wednesday, November 2nd, in the Cottonwood Room of the Memorial Union building on Washburn campus. =========================================================================== = Doug Glaze = Political Coordinator = State Chair = = = PROJECT EQUAL = EQUALITY KANSAS = = Topeka, Kansas = Washburn University = Legislative Advocacy = ===========================================================================