RockOUT week encourages acceptance for LGBTQ
By Stefanie Weber
Issue date: 10/23/09 Section: Focus
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"I think people are curious as to what LGBTQ [Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Trans, Queer/Questioning] are up against," said Ashley Ranck, 20, a creative writing and journalism major, women's studies minor and president of RockOUT. "When people come to the Straight Talk, it is amazing-the things people take away that they may not have realized before."
Straight Talk is one of the events that RockOUT planned for its Awareness Week this past week. RockOUT is an SRU organization that created to provide an opportunity for personal growth and education, to extend an opportunity for social interaction and to provide support for apprehensive individuals regarding everyday life, seeking to enhance the relationships between LGBTQ and other communities.
"Imagine having to act like you and your boyfriend are just friends in public and how difficult that would be," Ranck said. "Or having your grandma ask for the hundredth time when you are getting a boyfriend and having to lie every time about your orientation. There are a lot of things that LGBTQ [individuals] go through that most straight people don't even realize. I really wanted to open their eyes and make them see that LGBTQ laugh, cry and feel pain the exact same way that the straight population does."
Cara Costik, 21, a senior resort and recreation and tourism management major attended the FolkSpoke concert during RockOUT Awareness Week.
"Awareness Week is a great thing for our campus," she said. "Things are getting better here at SRU. The president is doing a lot to promote awareness. But as far as students, things could improve."
According to Ranck, RockOUT's Awareness Week was planned by RockOut's executive board in order to educate the SRU campus about issues surrounding the LGBTQ population. The board includes Ranck (president), Eric Kochanowski (vice president), Whitney Hendershot (secretary), Jenny Langenhahn (treasurer) and the advisors, Dr. Sharon Sykora and Dr. Cindy LaCom.
Students should get involved not only because the events are fun, but also because the events encourage people to seek out more information about something they may not know much about, Ranck said.
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