I would like a chance to say with my hands what my spoken words could not convey during full Senate. This was my first time giving a speech to Senate and I had not prepared, which I will strive to not have happen again.
This evening I gave a negative speech against the bill for Queers and Allies’ Pride Week. I want to make it perfectly clear that I am not opposed to Pride Week as an event. I respect the LGBT community and their right to practice free speech and educate the community of their cause and their lifestyle.
My speech, however, was in regard to funding for Vogue Evolution, an openly gay hip-hop dance crew. I believe that of the three honorariums that Q&A wants to make part of their Pride Week, that this group has the least to give KU as a whole. In my personal opinion, Vogue Evolution is being brought to KU mainly for their entertainment value. It was brought up that they are also advocates of HIV/AIDS awareness. The key word here is ALSO. Yes, they do advocate awareness on this issue, but that is not their MAIN purpose, it is but a side note. They are primarily an openly gay dance crew.
The honorarium for this group, which totals $7,500, is being paid through the funds allocated by Student Senate, the Multicultural Education Fund, and the Coca-Cola Foundation. The majority of the funding for this group, and the event as a whole, is coming from the two organizations that are funded through student fees. I believe it is a misuse of student funds due to the possibilities that are here on our own campus. The use of student dance crews, especially ones that are part of the LGBT community, would prove to be a better statement of KU’s diversity. The use of student groups might give those that are struggling to come out a creative outlet to express who they are. Also, it would send a statement to the community as a whole that KU not only supports its LGBT community, but also embraces the diversity and strives to foster it.
The use of funds that we are using to bring Vogue Evolution to KU could be used otherwise. Q&A, for example, could use these funds to put together seminars or workshops to educate members of the KU community who are ignorant of what it means to be part of LGBT community. I personally would attend such an event to further the lacking knowledge I have of this part of our university.
I support Pride Week and what it encourages. I plan on showing up for the speech of Gilbert Baker and learning more about the man that designed the rainbow flag, a symbol that has been used so much by the LGBT community. I, however, will not show up for Vogue Evolution. I do not support contributing so high of a price to a group that I believe does not bring something other than entertainment value to the KU community as a whole. I will stand up for what I believe is right and is in the best interest of my constituents and the money they contribute in student fees. I believe that you should stand up and speak out especially when your view may not be the popular one.
