[WAC-list] RE: Gay activism

[William E Bragg <braggw53@vaxa.cis.uwosh.edu>]

I couldn't agree more with Alex's comments below.  I think that the 
organization HOPE is at a crossroads and that LGBTQ students on this campus 
should have more options.  I think it is problematic that there is only one 
option on this campus for queer and allied students.

According to the constitution of HOPE, HOPE is a "social and educational" 
student organization.  But in practice it has long been a neutral social 
network which this year has become extremely political.  This is 
understandable considering the context of what is happening in the United 
States.  But essentially now HOPE has become impotent, because it is no longer 
a neutral social outlet that appeals to the majority of queer students at UWO, 
and no one will broach the taboo of actually wholeheartedly participating in 
political activities.  So we all sit around the circle at the meeting, 
attendance dwindling, frustrated, subconsciously understanding what is 
happening, but not willing to talk candidly with each other about it.

I want to take part in the upcoming constitutional revisions.  I envision 
creating two groups:

A social group that takes actually takes people to queer social events around 
the states and does regular social things (like going to the West on Fridays, 
10 Percent Dances, stuff like that), is clearly intended to be non-political, 
with fun weekly meetings.

A political group that is engaged with organizations like Action Wisconsin, UW 
System Inclusvity, United Council, etc. and can be overtly political.  Maybe 
chapters of organizations like Lavender Greens, Log Cabin Republicans, etc. 
can be incorporated.

There is a need to meet both the "political" and "social" of students on queer 
and allied students in Oshkosh.  I personally would participate in both 
groups.  The function of "education" in the HOPE constitution most logically 
would fall to the newly recognized faculty and staff queer group, which needs 
to get itself in order and start engaging students.  I also think that both a 
"political" and "social" organization would of course provide different 
educational opportunities for students and the greater community.

I think that there are enough LGBTQ students on this campus of over 11,000 to 
support at least 2 different student groups.  The problems that HOPE has been 
having with attendance only represents the confused situation for queer people 
on this campus and in the country right now.  We, as a queer community, need 
to be reactive to what is happening and how to best meet our needs as a 
community.

When are the constitutional revisions taking place?

William Bragg
LGBTQ Issues Director


Message: 4


From: "Alex Langkau" <alex@westlabs.biz>
To: "HOPE" <hope@lists.uwosh.edu>
Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 16:44:13 -0600
Subject: [From HOPE e-mail list] Gay activism

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

------=_NextPart_000_002E_01C4052C.96AEE240
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Darn It!!  HOPE and gay life has changed so much this school yr.  =
Attendance is down at the HOPE meetings and the politicians are raising 
=
hell in Madison.  I wish we had a meeting a week for talking about =
politics/business and meeting a week for fun/socializing.  =20

I don't like talking about politics much but I would of liked to have =
gone to Madison to do some protesting.  Sounds tomorrow the senate will 
=
discus WI proposed amendment. I personally would feel really good to do 
=
something other than reading the news all the time.  =20

HOPE is supposed to be a support/social group but the need lately has =
been to talk about politics and I feel that both are important but they 
=
conflict with each other.  As a minority we need to fight for our 
rights =
but some members don't feel comfortable being active in a still hateful 
=
state/country.  Just my personal opinion "business and politics are =
important but very boring, too much talking".

If anyone has any suggestions about how to make HOPE better you can =
e-mail me or any of the execs.  Our HOPE constitution is going to have 
=
some revisions soon.  The execs can't make HOPE work by our selves.  I 
=
think HOPE is probably one of the most important groups on campus and =
the last meeting there was only 6 members. =20

So e-mail (hope@uwosh.edu, alex@westlabs.biz or who ever, I don't care 
=
e-mail the listserve) you can call me (Room 424-4922 or cell 216-0754) 
=
As a group we can discuss this some time, right now the execs are 
really =
busy with bglad week.  In theory attendance should be going up, not =
down.

See ya

William E Bragg