Love Discussed in Many Colors

By Broadside Asst. Style Editor Nicole Ocran

“Tell us your name and one word that describes how you are in a relationship.”

After junior integrative studies major, Brian Picone, read the “Safe Space Statement,” Pride Week got off to an encouraging start with events like “Love in Many Colors,” a discussion about diversity of love and the struggles and triumphs in crossing all boundaries and backgrounds.

The Office of Diversity Programs and Services and Student Activities sponsored Pride Week, which hosted the event last Tuesday with an introduction from facilitators SA Associate Director Lisa McCalla and SA Communications Specialist Corrine House.

The event was well-received with an attendance of about 30 people, including students and faculty members, all of whom remained actively involved in discussions, rather than debates and group activities.

The Pride Alliance Secret’s Out Project, which is modeled after Frank Warren’s PostSecret, was on display with anonymous statements exhibited on display boards, giving anyone and everyone the chance to get something off of their chests.

Questions and topics were posed to everyone in the room to answer, such as, “When did you first realize you were in a relationship?” and “What identities do you bring into your relationships?”

Responses to these questions were detailed and involved memories of past relationships and intimacies. However, when the question “What do you like about yourself in a relationship?” was asked, the answers proved to be less descriptive and were broken down into one word or one sentence responses.

Students and faculty were broken into groups at the end of the session to draw pictures of the common obstacles, such as ageism, sexism, racism, religion, physical disabilities and mental disabilities, they have to face in relationships.
Many thanks and appreciations were given to the facilitators after the event.