Hello, good people lucky enough to stop and read this blog entry.

My name is Anthony Ashford, and I am just starting out as a blogger for Campus Pride, which, prior to 3 weeks, I did not even knew existed. Now, I do and I am so glad about it, and I'm especially thankful to Shane Windmeyer and Campus Pride for giving me the opportunity to get my voice and views out to our World Wide Web in a space where I know they appreciated and understood.

PERSONAL INFO:

Currently, I attend Ball State University as a junior majoring in Film and Television Studies and minoring in Multiculturalism and Leadership Studies, with aspirations of becoming a LGBT rights advocate and educator, as well as an overall educator and advisor for Student Affairs at a university. Also, in my future aspirations, I am a novelist/essayist currently and I would love to get my works (fiction and non-fiction) published.

At BSU, I am involved in a number of university organizations including, but not limited to: Spectrum (the undergraduate GSA on campus), Black Student Association, Residence Hall Council (acting as Diversity Chair), GLACURH 2011 Conference Staff (acting as Entertainment Chair), and Ball State Quidditch League (which before it is asked, YES, we DO run around on brooms).

My organizations are not the only thing that keeping me occupied.
I work two part-time jobs...because I am but a poor college student like most of you.
When I'm not working, I love to bike recreational around my hometown, Fort Wayne, IN, and...
I love to write...not just about LGBT stuff, but fiction...especially thought-provoking mystery-thrillers and unique comedies.

Right now, I am in the middle of writing three novels:

Campus Pride heads to Texas next week for the 22nd National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change hosted at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel in Dallas, Texas, Feb. 3 - 7, 2010. Since 1988, Creating Change has been the nation’s pre-eminent political, leadership and skills-building conference for the LGBT social justice movement. Every year, the conference moves across the country and brings a JOLT of activism and thousands of progressive minds together. The timing could not be better frankly (or -- for AT&T it could not be worse!)

So as I was packing my bags and reading the weather reports, I ran across this bit of NEWS from the Dallas Voice titled "Partner denied sick leave by AT&T" from Jan 28, 2010. I am REALLY hoping this is not true. But, if it is, I think it's time for thousands of LGBT and ally -- progressive queers -- to make a SWITCH!

Partner denied sick leave by ATT
By John Wright | News Editor wright@dallasvoice.com
Jan 28, 2010 - 7:14:06 PM
Despite 100% rating from HRC, company won’t allow gay man time off to care for ailing spouse

Bryan Dickenson, left, and Bill Sugg hold hands in Sugg’s room at a rehabilitation facility in Richardson on Wednesday, Jan. 27. (John Wright/Dallas Voice)

RICHARDSON — Bryan Dickenson and Bill Sugg have been together for 30 years. For the last 12 of those years, Dickenson has worked as a communications technician for Dallas-based AT&T.