Collegian T he Cameron University
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Monday, October 28, 2019
Volume 101 Issue 6
Cameron Celebrates
Indigenous People’s Day
“When I first read [the resolution], currently finishing a Master’s degree of CU-NASA to herself and to the I cried,” Tsatoke said. “I couldn’t in Indigenous Peoples’ Law at the university. She discussed how closeManaging Editor believe that someone would even put University of Oklahoma, and plans knit and familial the organization feels @YoureSoVanya that down on ink, on a piece of paper, to pursue a Juris Doctoral degree to to her. from Lawton, those words. It means a become a lawyer. “We like to laugh, we like to eat,” On Monday, Oct. 14, Cameron lot to me.” His speech focused on the Tsatoke said. “I think there’s been University invited students and After Tsatoke took a moment importance of higher education for maybe one or two meetings we’ve members of the surrounding between speeches to recognize Mrs. Native Americans. ever had where either Sissy [Erin] or I community to celebrate Indigenous Indian ASU Tashoni Morales, an “Getting my Bachelor’s degree didn’t cook for it.” People’s Day. honored guest at Cameron Indigenous really woke me up to the adversity The speaking portion of the event This was the second annual People’s day, the floor opened to we face,” Cooper said. “And all the ended with a brief speech and a prayer Cameron University Indigenous Dyami Thomas. statistics that are against us. Being a and cedaring ceremony led by retired People’s day celebration, and the Thomas, an actor, model, first generation scholar, I know that’s professor Lonnie Emhoolah. Cameron University Native American motivational speaker and certified huge.” The event closed with a meal hosted Students Association (CU-NASA) suicide prevention counselor, gave a After the speakers were finished, in the McMahon Centennial Complex’s largely organized the event. speech that focused on the struggles Tsatoke took to the podium for a final Buddy Green room, consisting of The celebration began on the Native Americans have faced since time to talk about the importance Posole, indian corn and frybread. western end of the Bentley Gardens European Colonization, and his with a series of speeches from hopes for a bright future for Native university representatives, as well as Americans. Native American guests from around “How you think about the next the country. seven generations, “Thomas said. Cameron President John McArthur “and how you make sure we are was the first person to speak, and here, and that we rise above 1%, briefly remarked on the importance of because that is what we make up of the event to the University. the population of this country, that “Indigenous People’s Day is yet starts with you, with us, meeting another reminder to us that ‘if we here today.” don’t know where we’ve been, it’s Thomas’ message was also one hard to know where we’re going,’” of thanks for the things given to McArthur said, “and we appreciate him, and to all the Native American this opportunity to learn from you, community members present, by to watch you, to follow you as you their ancestors. It was a message of continue to support students.” remembrance. Cameron University Vice President “I wouldn’t be here without my Jerrett Phillips was the second speaker ancestors’ sacrifices,” Thomas said. of the morning. His remarks focused “None of us would. Every step you on the importance of boosting Native take, every breath you take. Every American student enrollment for the morning you open your eyes, that’s University. your ancestors’ sacrifice. That’s “We want to make sure the students your ancestors’ prayers.” Tsatoke returned to the podium have a place to be at home,” Phillips said. “We want to make sure it’s a after Thomas spoke, to mention the place where students feel comfortable importance of his words to herself learning and sharing their success.” and to the community. After Phillips, CU-NASA Vice “It’s so hard for some of us to President Erin Singleton stepped to the see ourselves like that,” Tsatoke podium to read a resolution passed by said. “And part of that, like he said, Lawton Public Schools recognizing is that what happened before still the observance of Indigenous People’s lingers within us. We can’t help it, Photo by Stacie Larsen Day. but we can fight it.” Representation matters: CU-NASA president Fawn Tsatoke stands CU-NASA’s President, Fawn Durell Cooper was the speaker for a photo wearing a shirt representing missing and murdered indigenous Tsatoke, later spoke about how much following Thomas. women. CU-NASA works alongside organizations involved in activism for the statement affected her. Cooper is the vice chair for the indigenous women. Apache tribe of Oklahoma, and is
Payton Williams
What’s Inside
Digital MEdia Lab Page 2
“The Clean House” conversation Page 3
Dig Pink volleyball Page 5
News
2
October 28, 2019
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Photo by Adrianna Finch
Designing light: Freshman history major Prisilla Bright Huion uses an ultra-thin light box to trace her project for class in the CU Digital Media Lab.
Cameron’s Digital MEdia Lab Multimedia production and creativity Adrianna Finch Assistant Editor
In Spring 2017, Cameron University’s Library began the process of creating the Digital Media Lab (DML)in the Library. The process took roughly six months to complete, which gave the DML staff time to order supplies, set up the room and hire student workers. The DML officially opened the doors in Fall 2017. Since then, the DML has moved from the room behind the Student Help Desk to Room 102 in the Library across from the Study Area and Reference Desk. Instructor and Assessment Librarian James Scholz said the DML’s most popular item by far is the Canon EOS T5i camera. “It is something that almost every student has a use for,” Scholz said. Other than the Canon cameras, the DML has Panasonic HC-V Camcorders, GoPro Kits and Blackmagic Pocket Cinema cameras for
visual projects. As for audio equipment, the DML has Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorders, Rode Microphones with wind covers and Azden plug-in microphones. The DML carries four different tripods available for check out, depending on students needs, as well as impact reflector disks, selfie sticks and Debo Stabilizers. For students to checkout any of the equipment, they will need to come into the DML, fill out an agreement paper and have their student ID with them. Equipment is checked out on a firstcome-first-serve basis. Equipment loans are for a 72 hour period. There are no renewals allowed, and the same person may not check out equipment again for 24 hours after return to ensure all Students
get a chance to use the equipment. The DML allows students to check out one camera, one audio recorder and one tripod at a time. Students must return items directly to a student worker or a staff member in the DML. If a DML employee
Computers in the DML are equipped with Adobe Suite and Microsoft suite for students to use. The DML also has a Newline TruTouch LED Multi-touch Smartboard that students are able to use. Huion Ultra-thin light boxes and two Huion v2 Pen Monitors are
whiteboards and markers for students to use, as well as a sitting area for studying and group work. To use any of the in-house equipment, students can come into the DML and use them as long as they are available. If students are in need
Courtesy Graphic
is not available, students can go to the Circulation Desk to check in items. The DML also has inhouse lab equipment for students to use. The DML has computer stations with two monitors for easier group work and editing.
available for Students to draw and design on for any type of project. A green screen room is also available for students to use during normal operating hours and by request. The DML is equipped with three different
of assistance, DML staff is there to help with any questions students may have. The DML also has two 3D printers that students and employees are encouraged to use. To use a 3D printer, Students will need to
send their request to 3dprinting@cameron. edu with their attached design concept, and staff members will make the requested item and notify the patron that their print is done through email. Students then can pick up their print during normal DML business hours. The price of the 3D prints varies depending on the size of the print and will only be printed if it is for coursework. No personal use projects will be printed in the DML. Students are not allowed to create materials that are prohibited by local and state or federal law, unsafe harmful, dangerous, or poses a threat to anyone, has obscene or inappropriate for a library environment or in violation of any copyright laws, patents or trademark protection. For more information students are encouraged to email James Schulz at jscholz@cameron.edu or stop by the DML during regular operating hours.
Cameron’s annual International Festival
Photos by Stacie Larsen
October 28, 2019
A&E
3
SELENA GOMEZ
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“I am always going to be honest with people”
Lea Killian
The rising power of the song comes throughout the chorus when the track layers a A&E Editor choir in the background, repeating, “to love, @talkingLea love, yeah, to love, love, yeah,” as Gomez On Oct. 23, Selena Gomez released her first continues, “I needed to lose you to love me.” Perhaps the most honest lyrics of the song single in four years, “Lose You to Love Me.” come in the second verse. Since Gomez is generally unfond of social “In two months, you replaced us / Made me media and has been vocal about the toll it takes think I deserved it in the thick of healing.” on her mental health, it surprised many fans The track continues like this with Gomez to see her post anything at all on Twitter, let revealing herself and the truth of her pain. This alone lyrics to a new song. is nothing new for her, as she showed in her “Lose You to Love Me” is a ballad, previous album, “Revival,” released in 2015. beginning softly on a piano as her vocals fade In an interview with JoJo Wright, Gomez into the track. “You promised the world and I fell for it / I described her creative process over the years. “I’d like to say I released the songs first put you first and you adored it / set fires to my that I thought were a good way for me to just forest / and you let it burn.” close a chapter,” Gomez said. “I don’t even Gomez continues through the first verse think I’ve released the best music that I’ve with painful sincerity, only to ascend with done. I can strongly say that because I spent the chorus as she realizes the necessity of her years doing it. I’ve put my all into it, more heartache. “We’d always go into it blindly / I needed to than I ever have. ‘Revival’ was just a stepping stone for me, and now, looking back, it just lose you to find me.” challenged me to go even Courtesy Photo further.” In addition to “Lose You to Love Me,” Gomez also released a more traditional pop song to set her comeback in stone, “Look at Her Now.” If “Lose You to Love Me” unveils her hardships, “Look at Her Now” is the aftermath in which self acceptance and growth are worth celebrating. “What
a thing to be human / Made her more of a woman / Of course she was sad / but now she’s glad she dodged a bullet / Took a few years to soak up the tears / but look at her now.” While the lyrics stray from striking the same emotional chord as “Lose You to Love Me,” “Look at Her Now” serves as Gomez’s way to disclose her newfound state of mind. “‘Lose You to Love Me’ is the single,” Gomez said, “but ‘Look at Her Now’ is for my fans. I just wanted to let them know that I was good. It took me a long time to get through it, but now it’s fun. I’m smiling.” Even though Gomez neglected to release her own music over the last four years, she still found success on the charts with songs like, “Back To You” from the Netflix series, “13 Reasons Why,” a show in which she serves as an executive producer. Additionally, songs like “It Ain’t Me” with Kygo and “Wolves” with Marshmello kept Gomez at the forefront of the industry. However, nothing has found the same success as her newest releases. “Lose You to Love Me” and “Look at Her Now” are currently holding the number one and two spots on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. As for touring rumors, Gomez hopes to be able to share her music on the road, but maintains that her health is her number one priority. “It’s so hard because touring is difficult,” Gomez said. “I love doing it, but you’re so isolated. For 90 minutes of the day, I feel everything I want to feel with people who appreciate the music, but the rest of it can be really taxing. My mental health and my health in general are the most important things to me. I’m considering it, especially knowing all the work I’ve put behind this. All I want to do is jump around and sing it with everyone.” Just like in her music, Gomez never shies away from transparency. Above all, this is what keeps listeners coming back to her. “Lose You to Love Me” and “Look at Her Now” celebrate healing, a long awaited truth for Gomez and her fans. While there is no word on a release date for the full album, both songs are available on all streaming platforms.
Conversation with ‘The Clean House’ crew Bryan Araujo
is around two sisters and their new maid Matilde. Staff Writer “It focuses on the clash At 7:30 p.m., on Oct. 3-5, between them, the drama that and 2 p.m., on Oct. 6, in the her sister is going through and University Theatre, Cameron’s how the maid is helping them Department of Art, Music and come together,” Whatley said. Theatre Arts opened the theatre “We fight over her and end up season with “The Clean House,” coming closer together because a play written by Sarah Ruhl. of her. With the cheating and “The Clean House” is a everything my sister is going contemporary romantic drama through, I’m trying to be there comedy that tells the story to help her along. I seem to of five contrasting characters just make it more of a mess. as they experience love, loss, It ends up bringing all change and redemption. the characters together. Sophomore theatre major My character expands Sidni Blalock plays the main because I become less character, Matilde, a Brazilian focused on controlling maid who doesn’t like to clean it and more focused but, instead, likes to tell jokes on enjoying the about serious issues. people that I’m “I think there are a lot of around.” heavy topics that are covered Junior theatre like cancer and death,” Blalock major Stephanie said. Sabol played She also mentioned adultery Lane, a doctor in and how some of these things her fifties whose can be hard for people to talk husband leaves about. her for Ana, one “For me,” Blalock said, “it’s of his patients. about finding the humor in life “I’ll situations.” definitely Blalock appreciates the have to say comical relief of her character. Lane was a “She’s a mess,” Blalock challenge said. “I think she is someone to that would find humor in play,” everything.” Sabol Senior theatre major Emily said. Whatley plays Virginia in the play. She said that the play’s focus
“She’s definitely like a complete one-eighty from what I am.” Sabol said she tried to develop her character from the beginning to the end of the performance. She had to premeditatedly transition from an outgoing and bubbly personality in the beginning to a repressed one dealing with infidelity. “It’s definitely just all about us just being super dysfunctional,” Sabol said. The show is also an entry for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. The
production crew received respondents from their festival Saturday night to critique the show. If they win state, they will move on to regionals. Their next play, “A Doll’s House Part 2,” will be playing in the University Theatre starting Nov. 21, continuing this season’s theme of “A Celebration of Women’s Roles.” Admission is free for Cameron students, $12 for adults and $10 for senior citizens, military, Cameron faculty/staff and nonCameron students.
Courtesy Photo
Voices
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October 28, 2019
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Tribune Content Agency
A step in the right direction: Toy manufacturer Mattel recently announced the global release of “Creatable World,” which includes a line of gender-inclusive, customizable dolls. Many believe this action from a traditonally feminine doll brand signifies a cultural shift toward acceptance.
New Gender Identities — Not So New
Isaiah Herandez
spread of Christianity came the belief that a person’s sexual characteristics When the term “gender” is brought made up their gender and identified a limited means of gender trait, in which members with up, many people think of sexual expression and the roles that they undifferentiated genitalia are raised characteristics associated with a played in society. as female with female gender roles person’s biological sex. In other The emphasis of biological until they develop masculine traits words, their maleness or femaleness. factors in response to a variety of around the age of puberty. While the etymology of the word The official name of this “gender” has aligned with that of the expressions across many cultures only creates limitations for social recognized third gender varies upon word sex since the 14th century, a variance and a person’s ability to region, but is commonly known as person’s physical characteristics can express themselves. Guevedoche. The Guevedoche in the line-up with their gender identity. For instance, in Italy there is an Dominican Republic hold distinct Gender identity is described by identity named “Femminiello,” as per social roles in their society as well. anthropologists and sociologists pbs.org. These people are biologically In North America, gender identity — and confirmed by the Merriammale who hold traditionally female variance is also present in indigenous Webster dictionary — as a person’s tribes. While each tribe has their internal sense of being male, female, roles in Neapolitan society and typically present as feminine in their own names and responsibilities some combination of the two or dress. Up until the turn of the 19th for these identities, according to neither male or female. century, these individuals held high kewtoday.com, a common term used Gender is a social construct positions by members of such tribes is ‘Twothat focuses on cultural influences in society, Spirit.” rather than gender roles with an which came In an effort to acknowledged, but not prioritized, Gender identity with special give a relevant contribution of biological factors. is a phenomenon privileges. example of a One can personally disagree Another specific tribe, with the definitions of “gender” and that has existed for example of the Navajo of “sex” by stating religious values a nonbinary gender thousands of years in Southwest limit gender to being male or female identity is the third indigenous societies. North or that there are physically only gender known America two genders, but anthropologically as Metis, which have two and sociologically speaking, that is has indigenous specific identities that are Two-Spirit: wrong. Nepalese origins and refers to the “Nadleehi” and the “Dilbaa.” Gender identity is a phenomenon biological males who typically As kwetoday.com explains, the that has existed for thousands of assume feminine dress and stature Nadleehi are individuals who are years in indigenous societies. In but consider themselves to be outside born male but who represent both the fact, according to genderspectrum. of the binary male and female feminine and masculine spirits. The org, gender was known until recent identities. Dilbaa are female-born and represent centuries to have connections with Pbs.org reports yet another identity both the masculine and feminine a person’s role in society; their which has existed for countless spirits. form of expression; their spiritual generations and has been recorded In native societies, many cultures connections; how they personally by Western culture in recent years, revered members of the Two-Spirit identified themselves, or rather, more specifically the 1970’s, is the Community as shamans and religious their feelings regarding their gender “Guevedoche” of the Dominican leaders. Traditional emphasis was identity in relation to their birth sex. Republic. placed on one’s position in the tribe With the spread of colonialism The Dominican Republic has a rather than on defining sex. came the spread of Abrahamic population who express a unique, In response to historical examples religions. In this case, most pseudo-hermaphroditic genetic of gender variance outside of the profoundly Christianity. With the
Staff Writer
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About Us
The official student newspaper of Cameron University, The Cameron Collegian is available each Monday during the year. It is printed by the Lawton Constitution. The first issue is provided for free. Each subsequent issue is $1.50.
Our Views
The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author. The unsigned editorial under the heading “Voices” represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board. The opinions expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily represent those of Cameron University or the state of Oklahoma. Our student media are designated public forums, and free from censorship and advance approval of content. Because content and funding are unrelated, and because the role of adviser does not include advance review of content, student media are free to develop editorial policies and news coverage with the understanding that students and student organizations speak only for themselves. Administrators, faculty, staff or other agents shall not consider the student media’s content when making decisions regarding the media’s funding or faculty adviser.
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COLLEGIAN
binary system, which is viewed by much of the world today as normal and traditional, more modern examples themselves are also necessary. In continuation with the focus on physical differences in sexual characteristics to determine gender, intersex people are not to be forgotten. According to genderspectrum.org, the term “intersex” refers to anyone who is born with any natural variance to their sex characteristics from differences in chromosome patterns, genotypes and phenotypes or whose sexual characteristics do not fit the traditional expectations for female or male sex characteristics. Other modern variations of gender include the Western transgender and nonbinary identities. While there are many different subcategories for nonbinary identities, it is important to remember that each is valid and is, scientifically speaking, their own gender. It is also important to remember that gender identity and gender expression hold no specific connection to sexuality or romantic attraction. Before the spread of Eastern European Colonialism and its ethnic cleansing of indigenous identities and religions across the world, gender variance flourished in many unique forms. Therefore, it is imperative to recognize that transgender and nonbinary identities are not a pop culture phenomenon and will never cease to exist. We have always been here, and we will remain as long as humanity breathes. Letters Policy
Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna
Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis.
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The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length. Letters should be no more than 250 words. Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks.
Managing Editor - Payton Williams A&E Editor - Lea Killian Sports Editor - David Perkins Voices Editor - Amanda King Copy Editor - Kimb Frey Assistant Editors - Cambron Alsbrook, Adrianna Finch Social Media Editor - Abby Gonzalez Photographers - Katie Hall, Stacie Larsen
Newsroom Staff
Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Bryan Araujo, Katie Hall, Isaiah Hernandez, Haylee Key, Xavier McClure, Isabel Rosales-Aparicio Circulation Manager - Payton Williams Faculty Adviser - Prof. David Bublitz
All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. No nicknames will be used. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification. Letters can be sent by regular mail, by e-mail to aggiecentral@ cameron.edu or they may be dropped off at our office - Academic Commons 101 or at www.aggiecentral.com.
October 28, 2019
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Sports
5
Cameron Hosts
Dig Pink
Volleyball
the match. The proceeds also went to CCMH’s Cancer Center. The SAAC campaign, along with the Aggies in their pink jerseys, created a sea of pink in the gymnasium. The Rangers served the Kimb Frey opening of the first set, and the Copy Editor match began with the Aggies taking the first point — a kill by outside hitter Health At 6 p.m., Oct. 15, in the Sciences Sophomore Sarah Aggie Gym, the Cameron Wright. Aggies faced-off against Cameron kept the lead in Northwestern Oklahoma the first half of the set with State University’s (NWOSU) Rangers, who grabbed the win two three-point runs and some back and forth scoring, at 3-0. bringing the score to 15-12 The match was Cameron’s Cameron. The Rangers then annual Dig Pink Volleyball went on an eight-point spree, match in honor of National during which the Aggies Breast Cancer Awareness scored twice. Month. The end of the set saw both Leading up to the Tuesday teams pushing hard with runs match, the Aggies had a Dig of three and four points by Pink jersey, signed by team each team. The Rangers took members, up for auction to the set with 25 points. raise funds for Comanche Cameron head coach County Memorial Hospital’s (CCMH) Leah M. Fitch Cancer Brandon Stephenson said the team came into the match Center. Fans could bid on the with a game plan and tried to jersey until the second set of execute a high tempo of game the match with the highest play. bidder announced in the third “We don’t want to do so set. much, so early, that we lose it Fans could also buy pink all,” Stephenson said. “Just Cure It” t-shirts to NWOSU took the first point support the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee’s (SAAC) of the second set, but the Aggies didn’t let that stand for fundraiser before and during
long, scoring three points in rapid succession — two kills by Wright and outside hitter Sophomore Math Major Walia Franklin respectively and an attack error by the Rangers. Cameron kept their momentum through the 6-4-point mark in the set, but the Rangers leaped into the lead with a ten-point run, during which the Aggies scored once. The Aggies then earned three kills in succession, with setter Junior Sports and Exercise Science (SES) Major Katharine Manning setting up Wright, setter Business Management Sophomore Kristen Evens and outside hitter Communications Sophomore Shantalle Demirjian for their attacks. Cameron had another run of three points, but the Rangers won the second set 25-14. During the match intermission, Cameron’s SAAC President, Business and Political Science Senior Jordan Lewis, recognized two breast cancer survivors, Brittany Smith and Shelia Wright, and talked about SAAC’s social media and t-shirt campaign. Cameron Men’s Basketball head coach Andrew Brown helped with t-shirt sales
Playing for a cause: The Aggies don special pink jerseys for the annual Dig Pink volleyball match. (Below) Cameron sophomore Kirsten Evans and freshman Arianna Navarrete get together to strategize between sets. (Right) The Aggies celebrate a scoring a point against Northwestern Oklahoma State University. (Bottom right) Freshman Kendyl Payne steps out to acknowledge the crowd during team introductions.
and said the purpose of the intermission presentation was to put faces to the cause. “We were basically recognizing breast cancer survivors in our area,” Brown said, “and the profits for these t-shirts that we’ve been selling are going directly to the Breast Cancer Center.” After the brief intermission, set three began with the Rangers ceding a point to the Aggies through a service error; the ball did not make it over the net during the serve. The Rangers dominated the set, though, with a series of five-, three- and two-point runs to the Aggies singles. Stephenson called a timeout and gathered his team. Manning said timeouts are less about the coach pointing out what is going wrong and more about strategy. “If I made a mistake, I know what I need to do to fix it,” Manning said. “I think he calls timeouts really strategically. And I think he calls them in perfect timing. Most of the time, you need a timeout to really regroup and really refocus.” After the timeout setter and SES Junior Desiree Marmolejo immediately set up middle blocker and Biology Freshman
Riana Blount for a kill. Later in the set, Cameron made a four-point run, which brought the score to 17-10 Rangers. But the Aggies couldn’t close the gap quickly enough and ended the set trailing by ten points. The Rangers won the game three sets to zero. Manning said the game came down to the Aggies’ mental game. “It got to a point where, once you let a team start making small runs,” Manning said, “it can kind of get into the other team’s head — like, ‘Oh! Gosh! Okay, they’re getting on a run. They’re getting the lead.’ So that can be kind of stressful. And I think that with the amount of errors that we made throughout the game, points just started to stack up for them. And as points start stacking up, and the bigger the lead that they get, the more in your head, the more mental side of the game starts to show.” The Aggies next headed to Texas for away games on Oct. 18 and 19 against Texas A&M’s Kingsville and International teams. For more information, go to CameronAggies.com. Photos by Kimberly Frey
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Student Life
October 28, 2019
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Speaking out: Poetry and Chill
Photos by Stacie Larsen
Free verse: On Oct. 24, Poetry and Chill OKC members visited Cameron University once again to offer a night of creative expression for talents of all forms. Instrumentalists, poets, singers and rappers all graced the stage seeking to capture the audience. Poetry and Chill plans to revisit Cameron in the spring semester. For more information contact Poetry and Chill OKC on instagram at @ PoetryAndChillOKC.
Matthew Shepard In remembrance of a colorful comrade
community and to give community members access to resources to feel empowered in their identities. The foundation is known for its vocalization of Shepard’s story across the nation, urging parents to embrace their children’s sexuality, identity or both. The story of Shepard is known within the LGBTQIA+ community among the life stories of historical figures such as Marsha P. Johnson or Christine Jorgensen. After the introduction of Shepard’s life, attendees took turns sharing stories that ranged from tragic to humorous. The common ties between all of the stories Speaking her truth: Cameron Senior Stephanie Roberts tells her “coming out” was a worry that gripped story during the Cameron PRIDE’s Matthew Shepard / Coming-Out Day. each storyteller as they traversed through self-discovery, until it Due to the injuries, on Oct. 12, Cam Alsbrook was time to come out to friends, family Shepard died while hospitalized in Fort Assistant Editor and loved ones. Collins, Colorado. One of the correlations made at the The Cameron University PRIDE Cameron senior Stephanie Roberts student organization hosted the Matthew said the LGBTQIA+ community is glad event was the timing of Shepard’s death with past physical trauma — he was Shepard / Coming-Out Day event at 6 to honor Shepard. only 21 years old when he died and had p.m., Oct. 11, in the Cynthia S. Ross “I’m sad that it’s under the already suffered being raped before the Hall building auditorium. circumstances that it is,” Roberts said, The event started with the story of “but it does show how far we have come. incident, in 1995. Since his death, the amount of effort Matthew Shepard, whose life was cut It really gives me hope for the future, in LGBTQIA+ related activism has short due to a hate crime. and I hope he would be proud of where spiked ever higher, and more people His attackers physically assaulted we are and how we honor him.” are taking action to pursue comfort and him with the butt of a pistol and left him The Matthew Shepard Foundation security in their identities. to die while tied to a fence outside of is an organization started by Judy and Instructor for the Office of Teaching Laramie Wyoming on Oct. 7, 1998. Dennis Shepard to aid the LGBTQIA+
and Learning and PRIDE advisor Corey Sanders said things are looking up as a nation. “Identities are respected more than ever,” Sanders said, “and it is getting safer for people to be who they are. This doesn’t mean that equality has been achieved, but we are getting closer every day.” Shepard’s death brought about the passing of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, which criminalizes violent acts resulting in bodily harm and attempts to inflict injury through the usage of weapons against people on the basis of sexual and gender identity. The act does not extend to vocal threats of violence and did not mark the end of LGBTQIA+-phobia or hate crimes on the basis of gender/sexual identity. According to the Trevor Project — another LGBTQIA+ support foundation — suicide is the second leading cause of death for people within the ages of 10 to 24 in 2018. Statistics from the study showed that LGB students were five times as likely to attempt suicide compared to heterosexual peers, with the cause being related to bullying and hate speech. According to the Pew Research Center in 2018, thirty nine percent of LGBTQIA+ adult participants said they were disowned by a family member or friend on the basis of their identity or sexual orientation. For more information about Cameron PRIDE, contact Sanders at 581-5901.