Christopher Bylone
Meet the V&A Winners: Samuel Brinton
Today, Campus Pride is highlighting our 2011 Voice & Action National Leadership Award winners. Congrats to both JeShawna and Samuel! (Click here to meet JeShawna.)
Samuel Brinton
Kansas State University
Class of 2011
Program of Study: Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering & Vocal Music Performance, Minor in Chinese
Intended Profession: International Nuclear Energy Policy and Law
Age: 23
Home: Manhattan, KS
“I can't believe they chose ME! I'm from KANSAS! They think I made a difference. I AM going to make a difference in this world. For a conservative university in the middle of Kansas, Kansas State University sure gave me the perfect chance to learn who I was - no matter who that was. A few years ago, I thought I was the only gay man on earth. With this Voice and Action Leadership Award, I will keep working to make sure no student ever feels that alone again.” ~ Samuel Brinton
Samuel Brinton is currently a senior at Kansas State University studying Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering & Vocal Music Performance expecting his Bachelor of Science & Bachelor of Arts in May 2011. Sam also minors in Chinese Language.
At, Kansas State, Samuel is not only a passionate change agent for the LGBTQ communities on campus he is also a proven scholar in the field of Nuclear Engineering – 7 publications so far & counting! Samuel grew up as a missionary child living in such exciting locations as the Amazon jungle. He continued his international experience studying at Shanghai University during the Fall 2009 semester and attending international conferences of nuclear engineering in Japan, Belgium, Switzerland and South Africa.
When Samuel is state-side he continues his passion for LGBT equality through his progressive fraternity Delta Lambda Phi and serving with the local Flint Hills Human Rights Project and PFLAG. His peers recognized his passion and leadership by supporting Samuel as the President of LGBT and Allies of Kansas State. In addition (even though we know gay men are banned from giving blood) Samuel was active in the Red Cross Club as the Public Relations Director and through his leadership he assisted the organization to set records in blood donations.
One interesting fact about Samuel – he toured Europe as one of the top five high school singers in the United States.
However, to understand how his two passions of Nuclear Weapon Non-Proliferation and LGBT Equality come together one must read his story. The Committee began to learn his story by reading his cover letter, of which an excerpt is below.
“As a senior in Nuclear Engineering and Music, my life has always been one of balance and combination. I have used my engineering talents of organization to grow an organization (LGBT and Allies) from birth to over 30 members in a very conservative and religious community. I have used my musical passion for creativity to organize the Alternative2 Spring Break for LGBT and allied students to be able to serve their community regardless of orientation.
“I grew up as the son of Southern Baptist missionaries and without knowing what the word “gay” was (we just called them abominations) I asked my father why I was feeling attracted to my best friend, Dale. I don’t remember the second punch but I do remember waking up in the emergency room for the third time asking the doctors not to send me back and telling them that I had not fallen down the stairs again. When “punching the gay out” didn’t work we moved to conversion therapy. Being told I had AIDS and was going to die if the government found me was only the beginning. I would be strapped down with blocks of ice or heating pads placed on my hands while pictures of men holding hands were shown. The conversion ended when I told my parents I was straight to stop the electrocution by needles in my fingers while gay sex acts where shown to me. When I would later come back out to them for a second time I was told never to walk back in that house if I wanted to walk out alive.
“I tell you the story of my conversion therapy not for dramatic effect but to explain why I do what I do. I cannot let another child go through that torture because their parents think this is the only way to have a normal child. I will keep working through my political means until someday, when a student turns on the television, they will see a man just like them speaking to the United States Senate with a bright pink scarf on.”
Samuel, we are impressed with your courage and determination to create a better world for LGBT Youth.
Learn more about Samuel: www.campuspride.org/voiceandactionsamuelbrinton.asp
Meet the V&A Winners: JeShawna Wholley
Today, Campus Pride is highlighting our 2011 Voice & Action National Leadership Award winners. Congrats to both JeShawna and Samuel! (Click here to meet Samuel.)
JeShawna Wholley
Spelman College
Class of 2011
Program of Study: Comparative Women’s Studies
Intended Profession: Non-Profit Management
Age: 22
Home: Marietta, GA
“When I awoke to an email with the subject line: “CONGRATULATIONS! You have been selected as a Voice & Action Award Recipient,” my immediate reaction was shock! I couldn’t believe it. My induction into the world of social activism came about because I could never stand by and watch a group of people be marginalized and isolated; I was never concerned with recognition. So, to receive a national award honoring the work that I do out of simple love and dedication to my community is AMAZING! I am so grateful and honored.” ~ JeShawna Wholley
JeShawna Wholley is currently a senior at Spelman College studying Comparative Women’s Studies expecting her Bachelor’s of Arts in May 2011.
At Spelman College, JeShawna is the former president of Afrekete, the LGBTQ group, and with her fellow members they engage their campus community in conversations “against injustices and inequalities, ensuring an inclusive climate.” However her involvement does not stop there, JeShawna served as the Project Coordinator for the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance and volunteered her time with Choice USA, coordinating a call-in day for safe sex education; as well as the Feminist Majority Foundation, coordinating the national women of color conference at Spelman College. In addition, JeShawna is employeed as an Arcus funded student researcher in the Women’s Research and Resource Center at Spelman College. Her work has not just been noticed by peers and mentors on campus; she has garnered the attention of President Obama which led JeShawna to be invited to the White House to attend the reception in commemoration of the 42nd anniversary of the Stonewall Riot. Most in our communities have been impressed with President Obama’s recognition of our Movement’s efforts; JeShawna has had the great privilege of experiencing this first hand.
The Voice & Action Committee began to learn about JeShawna through her cover letter. She shared with us why she was called into the selfless work of achieving equality for all people. To begin to learn why she is a recipient, here is an excerpt from her cover letter:
“It wasn’t until my Introduction into Women’s Studies course when I finally experienced true intellectual stimulation at Spelman College. Here, I felt empowered and equipped against the forces of patriarchy and social injustices. As I learned about crusaders such as Toni Cade and Barbara Smith I knew that I wanted to politicize my lesbianism. I wanted this identity to be more than just my orientation or preference, but a statement against patriarchy and social norms. I wanted to be a lesbian activist.
"I had no idea that my quest to improve the social climate on my college campus would result in me finding my calling as an activist programmer and organizer. Conceptualizing, planning and executing programs that raised awareness, provided safe and embracing spaces and cultivated a since of community on campus has been an enriching experience that has shaped my path for my future endeavors.”
The committee is sure that her future endeavors will lead to nothing but brining about amazing positive change in any community JeShawna is a part of, we know this by reading her essay on what she views as the greatest challenges facing LGBT persons and our Allies. More importantly it is how these challenges will be met and the role everyone plays in meeting these challenges.
Learn more about JeShawna: www.campuspride.org/voiceandactionjeshawnawholley.asp
Coalition Building is Happening in CT & a weekend home with mom!
On Saturday April 25th, 2009 I got to spend the day at Trinity College in Hartford, CT. The group of students I met with are in the beginning stages of forming a state-wide coalition of college/university LGBTQIA student organizations. I was amazed with the ideas they were coming up with; why there was a need, how the organization how run, and what the coalition would do, etc.
The organizers of the meeting, Crystal Nieves & Nicolette Laume, did an amazing job of contacting all of the student groups from around the state to come on Saturday. Though they did not get the turnout there were expecting – I reminded them it is not quantity, it is the quality of those who are there and want to do the work. I know with time the coalition that they have started with grow into something wonderful.
I pledged Campus Pride’s support for them. So as they grow larger and need advisement we will stand beside them and help them grow. One of the students was a high school student currently and heard what was happening here in CT. So as he is heading off to college in Massachusetts in the fall he wants to create the same thing there. This will be very exciting.
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During our conversations that day someone asked “Why do we call ‘grassroots organizing’ grassroots?” I had to stop and think for a bit, then I came up with this analogy (all you plant people will link this one):
On the Road: Northeast LGBT Conference 2009
Trips like this remind me why I love doing this work! So this past weekend I had the privilege of attending the Northeast LGBT Conference – Facets of Oppression at SUNY Albany.
As the saying goes you learn something new every day. Now as a queer activist I should know this fact already, so I look at it as a refresher course – here is that refresher course: Harvey Milk attended what was known as New York State College for Teachers in Albany from 1947 to 1951 majoring in mathematics. SUNY Albany has every right to be proud of this fact!
Much congratulations are in order for the planning team of the Northeast LGBT Conference! There team was lead by Courtney D’Allaird & Stav Levy, both are Campus Pride Summer Camp Alum. From the moment I stepped off the plane, on Friday 4/17/09, I was impressed with their level of organization. They had a detailed plan of who was picking me up from the hotel each day to get me to the conference. Having been on the planning side of conferences like this it was nice to be on the side of just show up and present!
Eastern Michigan Univ. dismisses student for being anti-gay
So I want to start out with full disclosure about this post... I am a 2008 graduate of Eastern Michigan University in the Higher Education Student Affairs program which is housed in the same department that the counseling program is housed in. During my time at EMU I was the Acting Graduate Student Body President and championed many issues around equal rights for LGBT students.
Now with that being said here we go.......
You can find a few news articles about this story here:
WorldNetDaily
The Eastern Echo
Ann Arbor News
From the Ann Arbor News:
"The Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom says student Julea Ward was dismissed from her graduate program in March after refusing to affirm a client's homosexual behavior prior to a counseling session, according to a press release from the group.
David French, ADF senior counsel, said the school initiated a disciplinary process against Ward despite the fact that she followed her supervising professor's advice and referred the client to a counselor who did not have a conscience issue with homosexuality.
Ward then allegedly was informed that the only way to stay in her program would be to undergo a remediation process to change her beliefs as they relate to counseling about homosexual relationships, the Defense Fund Center said. When she refused, she was given a formal review hearing, after which she was dismissed from the program. The dismissal was upheld March 26 by the dean of EMU's College of Education, the press release said."
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Campus Pride is the leading national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization for student leaders and campus organizations working to create a safer LGBT learning environment at colleges and universities. It exists to develop, support and give "voice and action" in building future LGBT and ally leaders.
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