Hungry students flocked to the Lakehouse Tuesday evening for BBQueer.
Organized and hosted by LGBT and QUEST, two student organizations dedicated to advocating awareness and support for gay, bisexual and transgender students, the event garnered participants from a myriad of campus organizations, a testament to burgeoning support for the LGBT community.
The festivities served to kick-off a variety of events that are to be hosted by these organizations in the month of “Outober.” The series includes workshops, film screenings, discussions, drives and concludes with the ever-popular Rainbow Variety Show.
Mary Larkin, LGBT’s program coordinator, relished the high turnout. “This is by far the most people that have shown up to date,” said Larkin.
While Tuesday marked the first annual BBQueer, it was not the first time such an event has been held on Eastern Michigan University’s campus. Formerly billed as the “Welcome Back Luau,” the BBQueer title reflects an effort to foster frank dialogue and open engagement between LGBT students and the greater EMU community. The diverse crowd suggested a growing network of students and faculty in favor of the cause.
Although many straight students were in attendance, Larkin discussed the organization’s difficulty in “struggling to shed the stigma that LGBT is only open to gay, bisexual or transgender students.” She encouraged the participation and support of friends and allies in the organization as well.
Chris Cole, a junior transfer student, lauded LGBT/QUEST for hosting the event and expressed gratitude that EMU and the student body have been so outwardly encouraging to the gay community.
“There wasn’t anything like this at my other school…it really makes a difference to experience such a strong sense of community and see such a visible demonstration of support,” said Cole.
