2008 Woodie Awards
Spectrum's Awareness Week to educate students on sexual diversity
Francesca Cheli
Issue date: 4/1/08 Section: Campus
Spectrum, Miami University's Queer/Straight Alliance, will hold its Awareness Week beginning April 7 and the group hopes this year's event will be better than ever.
According to senior Jason Boeckman, Spectrum's historian, Spectrum hopes that the week-long event will help the group foster awareness among Miami students.
"(Spectrum) is committed to increasing awareness and educating the campus community about sexual diversity," Boeckman said.
Boeckman also pointed out that Awareness Week is also about giving back.
"Awareness Week is an opportunity for GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender) Miamians to emphasize their unique experience and also show gratitude to community members who support equality for all citizens," Boeckman said.
With last month's passing of Oxford's non-discrimination ordinance that protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, the community's support for acceptance of GLBT lifestyles in uptown establishments was made apparent.
"Oxford has always been an accepting community," said city council member Doug Ross. "Spectrum has been around for a long time. It seems to have a positive influence on the community."
According to Boeckman, Awareness Week will work to sustain the progress the community has seen.
Proceeds generated from the event will be donated to Equality Ohio for its awareness efforts leading up to Ohio's November elections.
Approximately $8,500 has been raised in this year's previous shows for the YWCA Breast Cancer Fund, Caracole House and PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Gays and Lesbians) Cincinnati.
First-year Mathew Hall is planning on attending the events.
"I am excited for the whole week," Hall said. "I'm especially excited for the drag show. We get to be crazy and have fun on stage and all the proceeds go to a good cause."
Miami's Associated Student Government (ASG), Diversity Affairs Council, and the Miami Parents Fund provided Spectrum with financial support for its Awareness Week.
According to senior Jason Boeckman, Spectrum's historian, Spectrum hopes that the week-long event will help the group foster awareness among Miami students.
"(Spectrum) is committed to increasing awareness and educating the campus community about sexual diversity," Boeckman said.
Boeckman also pointed out that Awareness Week is also about giving back.
"Awareness Week is an opportunity for GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender) Miamians to emphasize their unique experience and also show gratitude to community members who support equality for all citizens," Boeckman said.
With last month's passing of Oxford's non-discrimination ordinance that protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, the community's support for acceptance of GLBT lifestyles in uptown establishments was made apparent.
"Oxford has always been an accepting community," said city council member Doug Ross. "Spectrum has been around for a long time. It seems to have a positive influence on the community."
According to Boeckman, Awareness Week will work to sustain the progress the community has seen.
Proceeds generated from the event will be donated to Equality Ohio for its awareness efforts leading up to Ohio's November elections.
Approximately $8,500 has been raised in this year's previous shows for the YWCA Breast Cancer Fund, Caracole House and PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Gays and Lesbians) Cincinnati.
First-year Mathew Hall is planning on attending the events.
"I am excited for the whole week," Hall said. "I'm especially excited for the drag show. We get to be crazy and have fun on stage and all the proceeds go to a good cause."
Miami's Associated Student Government (ASG), Diversity Affairs Council, and the Miami Parents Fund provided Spectrum with financial support for its Awareness Week.
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