2008 Woodie Awards
Panel discusses Day of Silence's importance on campus
LGBT members gather to ask questions to four-member panel about their life experiences
By Dustin DeRosa
Rocket Contributor
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: News
Orner stressed the importance of organizations that promote tolerance of alternative lifestyles.
"Diversity often ends when it comes to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people," he said. "Whoever you are attracted to does not determine whether you are a good or bad person."
Orner also said that sexual orientation is more than just a lifestyle preference.
"Most gay people will tell you it's not a choice; it's just how you are," he said. "Sexual orientation is really who you are attracted to. Is it a choice for you? Sexual behavior may be more of a choice, not sexual orientation."
Dottie Craig, a lesbian, took the floor next, sharing her experience with coming out, living and working as a lesbian, and dealing with ignorant co-workers.
"In Western PA, it is very difficult for people to come out, because people will condemn and ridicule them, disrupt their lives and work," Craig said. "It is not as open and accepting as it could be, and that needs to change."
Finally, Wendy Miller, a transgendered person, told of her life as a man until the age of 42, when she finally came out and began living as a woman.
At one point, Miller said she was called by "The Ricki Lake Show." Before accepting the offer to be on the show, she said, "We are people, too-normal people, with families and lives like any other."
When the panel members concluded their speeches, the floor was open to questions from the audience. All students in attendance received pins showing support for the Day of Silence.
"It is important for people to reach out and discover the world they live in and look beyond themselves," President Smith said.
"Diversity often ends when it comes to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people," he said. "Whoever you are attracted to does not determine whether you are a good or bad person."
Orner also said that sexual orientation is more than just a lifestyle preference.
"Most gay people will tell you it's not a choice; it's just how you are," he said. "Sexual orientation is really who you are attracted to. Is it a choice for you? Sexual behavior may be more of a choice, not sexual orientation."
Dottie Craig, a lesbian, took the floor next, sharing her experience with coming out, living and working as a lesbian, and dealing with ignorant co-workers.
"In Western PA, it is very difficult for people to come out, because people will condemn and ridicule them, disrupt their lives and work," Craig said. "It is not as open and accepting as it could be, and that needs to change."
Finally, Wendy Miller, a transgendered person, told of her life as a man until the age of 42, when she finally came out and began living as a woman.
At one point, Miller said she was called by "The Ricki Lake Show." Before accepting the offer to be on the show, she said, "We are people, too-normal people, with families and lives like any other."
When the panel members concluded their speeches, the floor was open to questions from the audience. All students in attendance received pins showing support for the Day of Silence.
"It is important for people to reach out and discover the world they live in and look beyond themselves," President Smith said.
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