Date: Wed, 4 Sep 1996 18:36:47 -0500 (CDT) From: "....DREALM...." Subject: MTSU Symposium Deals with Issues Michael Grantham More than 180 people attended a symposium entitled "Homosexuality and Culture" on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University on March 28. The symposium was sponsored by Lambda Association and highlighted discussions on a topic that has dominated the campus for the past accademic year. Panelists included Lesbian and Gay Coalition for Justice Co-Chair Bill Turner and MTSU professors Charise Gendron, Kim Sokoya, and David Zacker. Vanderbilt Dean of Residential and Judicial Affairs K.C. Potter moderated the event as panelist explored the issue outside of the classroom ciriculum. "The questions were interesting and compelling, and they gave us a lot to talk about," Bill Turner was quoted as saying. The event was covered by local campus press as well as the Nashville Banner. "This offers a learning opportunity at the university that is not confined to a specific classroom. I think that is always an excellent idea," Turner continued. The symposium followed a press conference in which the Uniform Equality Committee (UEC) released its report entitled the UEC Report on Sexual Orientation and MTSU. The report outlines a request to MTSU President James Walker to enhance the campus nondiscrimination policy. This will help to resolve discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The press conference also officially kicked off a statewide campaign of solidarity among Tennessee colleges and universities to educate their campus communities on gay and lesbian issues. Four universitities were on hand for the press conference. To help fund this campaign, T-shirts with the "Equality is Civility" logo will begin to go on sale this summer. The shirts will be made available nationally for bulk order through the Lambda website. The Equality is Civility campaign was begun on the campus of MTSU at a candlelight vigil for Martin Luther King Day earlier this year. The symposium was the first public event to come out of this campaign officially addressing the issues of equal rights for gays and lesbians. The symposium, a product of the campaign, brought a number of issues to the forefront. "I think that we do a service when we publicize the many people in culture who were lesbian or gay," Charise Gendron commented. "I guess the onus is on the people who are discriminated against initially to educate society at large." Kim Sokoya, an opponent to the proposed policy enhancement at MTSU to protect individuals against sexual orientation bias, said we should not demonize homosexuals although it is wrong. "But we should care for other people," he added, "because they are created in God's image and that is why they have value." The symposium offered a rewarding educational experience on both sides of the issue. "The mere fact of discussing the issue at all is sort of a quantum leap forward," added Turner. The UEC and Lambda Association will continue to focus on educating the campus population as well as working closely with policy makers in the coming months. This year's efforts will culminate with Lambda's annual banquet at the Garden Plaza Hotel in Murfreesboro April 18 at 6pm. Tickets are available at 780-2293. Michael Grantham :)