{"id":2460,"date":"2009-06-24T11:45:19","date_gmt":"2009-06-24T15:45:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/UpbeaT\/?p=2460"},"modified":"2009-06-24T11:45:19","modified_gmt":"2009-06-24T15:45:19","slug":"out-and-proud-with-lgbtq-u-of-t","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/2009\/06\/24\/out-and-proud-with-lgbtq-u-of-t\/","title":{"rendered":"Out and proud with LGBTQ @ U of T!"},"content":{"rendered":"\"\"<\/a>\n\nImage Source: http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Rainbow_flag_and_blue_skies.jpg<\/em>\n\nI still remember the first time a friend of mine told me he was gay. I didn't know how to respond, and all I could say was: \"That's great. Oh. Oh.<\/em>\" Looking back, I'm glad he was such a close friend and didn't take my lack of response the wrong way. He rolled his eyes and pulled me into a hug and told me that he knew what I was trying to say but couldn't find the words for. It's okay, and thanks<\/em>, Cynthia.\n\nIf you're a U of T student<\/span> alumni (see update<\/strong> below), you've probably received the latest copy of U of T Magazine<\/a> and saw Ann Perdue<\/a>'s cover story<\/a> of queer activism and its tumultuous history at the U of T. TimeToast even\u00a0has an annotated timeline<\/a>! 2009 marks the 40th anniversary since Ian Young and Jearld Moldenhauer started the \"first gay liberation organizations in the country<\/span><\/a> city (see update 2<\/strong> below)\". As such, this year's theme for U of T\u2019s Pride week is \"40 Years of Speaking Out!\", honouring not only the establishment of the student group LGBTOUT<\/a> but also all the events, people and initiatives that have propelled us to a more inclusive university.\n\nIn order to educate myself, I sat down with Vash from the LGBTQ Resources and Programs<\/a> office last week to chat about the upcoming U of T Pride weekend as well as some common misconceptions.\n\nMe<\/strong>: I really haven't had much exposure to the LGBTQ community. For example, I had a classmate last year who was transgendered? Trans-sexual<\/a>? I didn\u2019t know the proper lingo<\/a>, and was tripping over my tongue trying not to offend him. Her. Oh man, I\u2019m still tripping.\n\nVash<\/strong>: Yeah, I understand it can get difficult. Simply put, you address a trans-person with the gender they identify as. Although they\u2019re not mutually exclusive, a transgendered person projects a different gender than the sex they\u2019re biologically born with or does not identify with the gender norms of that biological sex and a trans-sexual person has gone or is going through the process to become the anatomical sex they identify with.\n\nMe<\/strong>: I've always watched the Pride events from afar. What do you think of the argument<\/a> that events like Pride parade just increases the gay stereotype because all these \"gay guys\" are flaunting their sexuality by prancing around barely dressed? That if the gays can have a parade, then so should the straights?\n\nVash<\/strong>: I've heard of the argument, and it is a very heterosexist point of view. Heterosexuality is the socially accepted norm. Events like the Pride Parade are an exaggerated way of making a political stance. You've got to remember that these events have strong political and social activist roots, aiming to bring LGBTQ visibility to a mainstream front. We're making a stance and celebrating acceptance rather than tolerance.\n\nMe<\/strong>: All right, so what about people like me? Straight people who support the LGBTQ community. Are we allowed to join the LGBTQ events?\n\nVash<\/strong>: Of course! Why wouldn't you be? You're what we call \"allies<\/a>\", and it's interesting, because coming out as an ally can be just as difficult as coming out as LGBTQ identified.\n\nMe<\/strong>: Well, I'm coming out now. How can an ally become involved?\n\nVash<\/strong>: All LGBTQ campus groups welcome allies. There's an Ally campaign from UTSC last year, and they even had buttons! The Positive Space<\/a> mandate<\/a> includes encouraging and having allies at our events and meetings.\n\nMe<\/strong>: So what's new this year for U of T Pride? It's the 40th anniversary!\n\nVash<\/strong>: We have an exciting display that will debut at the UT Pride Pub<\/a> commemorating 40 years of LGBTQ activism on campus. It's a huge visual representation of our history and it'll even be displayed around campus all throughout Orientation Week.\n\nApart from their \"incredibly famous<\/a>\" Pride Pub<\/a> kicking off at Hart House from 5PM - 1AM tomorrow with DJ Cozmic Cat, the U of T PRIDE Committee<\/a> has crammed as many activities into the weekend of Toronto's Pride Week<\/a>:\n\nSaturday June 27th<\/strong>\n