Equality Virginia Comes to Mason

By Broadside News Editor Asma Chaudhary

A recent discussion, led by the Generation Equality Tour, was held on on Monday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Johnson Center Bistro. Information about rights and freedoms for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgenedered and Questioning community was also presented. Facilitators from an organization known as Equality Virginia encouraged open dialogue among the students.

Richael Faithful, a member on the Board of Directors for the organization, discussed how gender equality affects many types of individuals. Her approach recognized the usefulness of education and activism.

“We are basically trying to change the policy to add gender protections in our beloved community,” Faithful said.

Faithful also addressed different events that either occurred or will occur during this semester. An annual conference that took place Feb. 22 to Feb. 24 at Roanoke College in Roanoke, Va. provided training and workshops to those who could attend. At the conference, there were students and faculty from different schools which allowed numerous people to get HIV/AIDS testing.

The admission fee for the conference was a scale from $5 to $15; however, the organization promised that they would not turn anyone away due to monetary conflicts. Facilitators of Equality Virginia volunteered to carpool together and to provide scholarship resources to those interested in attending the various events at the conference.

According to the organization’s Web site, Equality Virginia firmly believes “that a variety of non-violent political actions can positively contribute to change when used strategically and appropriately.”

Another member that acted as a facilitator was Elizabeth Prescott, who discussed how important it was for the LGBTQ community to unite in order to address a variety of issues like same-sex marriage or health insurance rights.

“In VOX|Pop, a diversity magazine on campus, former members in Pride [Alliance] wrote a long article, which was very impressive, about the issues,” Prescott said. “It acknowledges that problems still do exist and regularly provides LGBT content when sometimes you might feel removed from the community.”

Felicia Birnbaum, a film and video studies major, discussed the positive impact she felt from other Mason students.

“I feel like I live in a bubble here in northern Virginia because it puts a veil on how things really are, but gay marriage is not my issue right now or the adoption issue but I could understand the health issues with visitation rights,” Birnbaum said. “I guess I will understand the impact when I get to that point in my life with the real world, basically issues I never thought about.”

Despite an emphasis on political activism, the group also discussed fun activities in order to engage a larger audience.

“We are hoping to have a queer health comic, which is definitely a friendlier format than a boring handout,” Faithful said. “Also, we are getting ready for other upcoming events, focusing on education, creating visibility events in order to make a permanent change at their institutions, not just during their Pride Week.”

In addition, the group also discussed the importance of Safe Zone, which is a training resource that allows individuals to interact with each other and to feel comfortable about certain issues. Equality Virginia plans to provide state-wide news through a monthly newsletter and with updates on their Web site. Those interested in learning more information may visit http://www.equalityvirginia.org.