OCU will be hosting the annual Freedom Oklahoma College Summit in a little over a week.
As the Summit approaches, it is important for all members of the OCU community to consider attending events and talks associated with the Summit.
The Summit is a tremendous opportunity to learn about the LGBTQ+ community and issues in Oklahoma. Oklahoma is a historically conservative state, and while representation and advocacy for gender and sexual orientation minority groups has improved, strides are still being taken to reach social equality.
The Freedom College Summit is an opportunity to learn about current LGBTQ+ advocacy, health issues and legal developments. The Summit’s theme this year is including racial justice in LGBTQ+ advocacy. This message is especially important on OCU’s campus, given its issues last semester with accusations of racial discrimination committed by former police officers and the use of discriminatory language in campus organizations.
LGBTQ+ rights are an intersectional issue, meaning members of other minority groups who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community are far more likely to struggle to attain social equality. Whether it be race, ethnicity, disability, religion, or another marginalized identity, being a member of a minority group creates obstacles to living freely in a society that still, consciously or unconsciously, allows inequality.
For members of minority groups who identify with the LGBTQ+ community, this event will be an excellent opportunity to learn about current issues and advocacy surrounding their identities in the state of Oklahoma. For other members of the LGBTQ+ community, the Summit will hopefully be an opportunity to learn about intersectionality and ways to be an inclusive ally and support fellow members of their community. For students that are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, the Summit will be an excellent opportunity to learn about LGBTQ+ issues from experts and members of the community.
As the members of Freedom Oklahoma come to campus, students and faculty should welcome them openly by attending talks and being open to learning about LGBTQ+ issues and experiences.
Every moment of inclusion counts, and they collectively build toward a future of equal opportunity for everyone.
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