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.
One response to “Aaron Harris”
I understand your opinion on this issue, however, I fully disagree. Moreover, I also want to defend you on this issue. I know that you have no issues against Q&A or Pride Week, and you have put up fliers advertising our event, Gilbert Baker.
While at a cursory glance, especially one that has not been informed by LGBT (and to large extent Black and Latino) culture could see this event as superficial and merely entertainment based. However, this is ABSOLUTELY not true.
Here is Vogue Evolution's mission statement, note that they combine education and entertainment:
Vogue Evolution’s mission is to both entertain and educate world audiences of the true story of the house/ballroom scene and the way its culture has influenced the entertainment and dance industries for decades. It has nourished itself in the shadows of urban life throughout the country and its influences can be observed in fashion, culture, and entertainment. While mainstream audiences have yet to credit the scene for its impact, Vogue Evolution is here to change that!
Just because a group has appeared on America's Best Dance Crew does not discredit their activism or educational value. In fact, I think that this exposure will help the Pride Week more than any other event. Their visibility will, hopefully, bring people to the event, so that they can become educated in "vogueing" and the social factors (class, race, gender, sexuality) that influence it. These factors will seem quite familiar to those who study humanities and speak to the educational value of Vogue Evolution.
Furthermore, Pride Week is about making sure the entire LGBT community is included. One of Vogue Evolution's members is a transgedered woman, and this was a HUGE storyline on the show. We hope that she will be able to share her experiences with the group. I think she will bring in a fascinating story especially since we have had some trouble booking the group's airline tickets because her gender performance does not match what is on her driver's license.
Like you, I fully encourage people to speak their view even if it may not be the popular one, but I encourage them to be educated about the issue! Do not try to force your view on other people without being educated first. So before you decide not to attend an event you know nothing about, I STRONGLY encourage you to educate yourself about vogueing, what it means to the LGBT, Black, Latino, and American culture.
Finally, I've provided some links and books to make it easy for you.
http://vogueevolution.com/ (under Vogue Theory)
http://gaylife.about.com/od/gayslang/g/voguing.htm
Global divas : Filipino gay men in the diaspora by Martin F. Manalansan
Check out these links, if they don't convince you, the book absolutely will.
One final note, you should keep in mind that Dance is a major at KU. KU finds educational merit in dance...
Kellen Thomas Bolt
Pride Week Coordinator
Queers & Allies at KU
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