On Monday, March 30, members of Sinclair Community College LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered) community hosted a Sinclair Talks in the Library loggia titled “the real gay agenda.” It was hosted by members of the organization “Love Wins,” which is a group of faculty from different disciplines. The talk consisted of 6 speakers sharing their stories of struggle and acceptance of being part of the LGBT community.
“There is more to the LGBT community than just being gay” said Richard Miller, a teacher from Indiana who is a member of Love Wins. “We are teachers, parents, preachers, even. I know I don’t have a gay agenda, I have a life agenda.”
“When I hear about a gay agenda, all I can think of is whose ideas are these and why do they think LGBT have an evil agenda?” said P.J. Carlisle, a creative arts teacher at the University of Dayton. “Come to think of it, gay people do have an agenda, they want to be different without persecution.”
Also discussed in the presentation were the portrayals of LGBT in social media, such as films and television of the past. “We were always portrayed as perverts with an agenda, tragically flawed and even psychotic,” said Richard Miller, “these portrayals do not represent us at all.”
When asked if any of them had advice for any students struggling with their own sexual identity, Nick Daily, a teacher at Antioch College, said “It’s all about safety and community. It’s important finding others willing to accept who you are but it’s most important to accept yourself”.
“Be strong and know that you are not alone,” said Miller, “coming out may not be easy but it’s different for everyone”.
“I just want those struggling to know that there is hope. I struggled with my sexuality to the point where I originally dropped out of college and painted houses,” said Carlisle. “But when I was able to be honest with myself, I returned and eventually got my PhD.”
Carlisle added, “You know one person who had a gay agenda? Harvey Milk, his agenda was to fight for the rights of the LGBT community.”
Jimaur Calhoun
Arts and Entertainment Editor