Allies Events
2012-2013
Allies & GLC Mixer - Sept. 16, 2012
Allies kicked off the new year with an exchange of ideas with the other GLBTQ-focused group on campus, the GLC. While this event was mostly for esablished members of both groups, the ideas for collaborative programming on both sides were brought to the general meetings for discussion. Collaboration and candy go so well together!
2011-2012
"You Should Meet My Son" Movie Screening - Nov. 30, 2011
While munching on pizza, attendees were treated with a screening of the comedic take on comic out, "You Should Meet My Son." Full of laughs, friends, and food, this over the top movie was able to explicitly point out the seriotypes of our culture and how we treat others as a consequence.
Vincent Pryor - Nov. 10, 2011
Vincent Pryor, former TCU linebacker, came to Boston College to talk about his experiences being openly gay at TCU on the football team. In a riveting conversation about conflicting identities, he told his story and engaged the audience about being yourself and getting through the challenges that life throws at you.
"You Are Loved" Chalk Project - Oct. 11, 2011
The You-Are-Loved Chalk Project is an annual, nationwide suicide-prevention awareness projectthe combats hateful rhetoric towards the LGBTQ community through the use of positive, uplifting chalk messages. O'Neill Plaza was covered in your messages of loveand support. Full of music, friends, and chalk, this event brought signing the Ally pledge to a new level.
2010-2011
Day Of Silence Events - April 14-15, 2011
Allies held Boston College’s first officially recognized Day of Silence in 2011. The night before DoS, there was a kick-off rally in which BC students, faculty, and staff shared their experiences being and witnessing silence and breaking that silence. It reinforced with DoS is so important. The next day, BC’s DoS ran from midnight to six pm, when they broke the silence with a SCREAM, timed to Lady GaGa’s Born This Way, in the quad.
What's it Like to be Gay in Athletics - March 29, 2011
Allies held a panel to explore the issue of what it is like to be gay and involved in the sports industry. Marty Long, Boston College swimming; Thelma Rodrigues, Boston College rugby; Lizzy Ploen, Boston College softball; Kathy Martinez, Loyola (New Orleans) basketball; and Steve Buckley, the Boston Herald, made up the panel. They discussed issues of when and how to come out and how others might look at them differently. All, including Buckley who came out in a column in the Herald, had positive experiences and received largely positive responses.
Reconciling Religion and Homosexuality – Feb. 24, 2011
Allies invited Mary Lou Wallner, co-founder of T.E.A.C.H. Ministries, to speak about the need to reconcile religious beliefs with being an ally. Mary Lou told the story of the spiritual journey she took to come to that conclusion. She had always been taught that homosexuality was a mortal sin, so when her daughter came out to her she told her that it was such. After a few years, Mary Lou and her daughter had a falling out and stopped speaking. Her daughter committed suicide a year later. Mary Lou was then faced with the need to try to comprehend what her daughter had gone through. She spoke about this process and the importance of helping others through their own discovery.
The Laramie Project - Dec. 8 2010
The movie about Matthew Sheppard, the victim of a homophobic murder in Laramie, Wyoming was shown. The movie tells Matt’s story and that of the town and how the people reacted to the murder. It was an especially poignant message following the suicides of gay teenagers around the country a couple months prior. After the movie, there was a discussion of bullying, especially as it affects GLBTQs. Resident Director Troy Talkington, Professor Poteat, and Boston College Police Department officers John Mruk and Jeffrey Postell participated in the discussion.
Everyone Thinks I'm Gay - Nov. 10 2010
Four panelists: Alicia Johnson, Diana C. Nearhos, Gio Trilleras, and Justin Graham discussed gay stereotypes that they fit as straight people. Alicia, a feminist, Diana, a gay rights activist, Gio, a male nursing student and former cheerleader, and Justin, a former cheerleader and “sensitive guy,” all had experiences in which they may have been mistaken for gay. They shared their thoughts on why it happens and how it affects people’s lives and perceptions of others.
How to be Straight - Oct. 21 2010
Four panelists: David Riemer, Karli Sultzbaugh, Claire Ruffing, Lindsey Hennawi discussed their experiences of being an ally to friends, family, and strangers who are gay. They discussed how they became allies, what the hardest part about being an ally is, how to deal with homophobia and intolerance, and other similar topics. It was a great part of Ally Week where we also had the Ally Pledge for people to sign (a pledge to not discriminate based on sexual orientation) and a Wear Purple day for those who had recently committed suicide due to homophobic bullying.