Shane Windmeyer, a national leader in gay and lesbian civil rights and a champion for LGBT issues on college campuses, will speak at the College of Charleston on Monday, April 9, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. in Physicians Auditorium. His speech, entitled “The Impact of Hate,” is part of the Office of Institutional Diversity Signature Speaker Series. The event is free and open to the public.
Windmeyer is the founder and executive director of Campus Pride, the only national organization for student leaders and campus groups working to create a safer college environment for LGBT students. Released in Fall 2006, Windmeyer is author of The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students, the first-ever college guide profiling the “100 Best LGBT-Friendly Campuses.” Windmeyer’s passion stems from his own experience “coming out” on a small rural campus in Kansas. He recalls it was difficult, frightening, lonely, emotionally complex and yet liberating – all at the same time.
“We hope this event will serve as a catalyst for ongoing campus-wide dialogue about true inclusive diversity—one that also includes the recognition of and the respect for members of our College communities with different sexual orientation and life style,” says Dr. John Bello-Ogunu, Sr., associate vice president and chief diversity officer in the Office of Institutional Diversity. “Our hope, however, is that Windmeyer’s lecture will promote a greater understanding of sexual orientation among students, and that the audience will leave the event more determined to create stronger communities that are free of hate and filled with love for all people, including those with different sexual orientation and life style.”
This program is made possible in part by a grant from the C.A. Dufford, Jr. Estate for the promotion of diversity at the College of Charleston.
For more information, contact Rochelle Johnson, Program Coordinator in the Office of Institutional Diversity at oid@cofc.edu or 843.953.5079.
