BLGT conference shatters stereotypes

After a weekend filled with workshops, speakers and entertainment, Julia Napolitano, one of two chairpersons for the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally College Conference, sat down at her computer to find her inbox filled with messages of congratulations on a job well-done and praise for IU.

Several students from other schools said they wished their school had as many resources and would be more like IU, Napolitano said.

The Midwest BLGTACC was put on this past weekend on IU’s campus. Many registered before the conference, and about 50 to 100 people registered on the first day. More than 1,500 people attended the conference.

IU is fortunate to have an understanding of BLGT issues, said Douglas Bauder from the GLBT Student Support Services office.

Bauder added that each school has something unique that makes it stand out, and IU has influence from several individuals such as Alfred Kinsey and Herman B Wells, who made BLGT issues prominent.

“I just keep coming to the conclusion that labels don’t work,” Napolitano said.  She added that the differences in the people who attended the conference reminded her how diverse the world is.

Bethany Lister, publicity chairperson for the conference, said she attended a workshop about homosexual representation in video games. Although she said she has heard of many stereotypes of gay and lesbians, she had never heard of gay and lesbian stereotypes in video games.

Lister said it was fascinating to have stereotypes slashed and added it is really healthy, especially for kids who see gay and lesbian stereotypes reinforced on TV.
“Stereotypes don’t work,” Lister said. “People are more complex.”

Bauder led a workshop with 30 students to compare how BLGT harassment is dealt with at IU and other universities. IU has a unique approach to harassment because a team helps students report, plan and create an educational program to combat harassment.

With this approach, the victim has a lot more power than when only one person addresses harassment, Bauder said.

After the workshop, several students told Bauder they appreciated the opening remarks of IU Provost Karen Hanson and Dean of Students Dick McKaig and  that BLGT support from the faculty was obvious.

Bauder said he was proud of IU and the acceptance in Bloomington.

Lister agreed and said the Bloomington community welcomed conference participants.
Napolitano said she was surprised to see hundreds of volunteers she had never met before show up to help with the conference. She added that IU students who hosted students from other universities for the conference enjoyed having guests and made friends that they will see at the next conference in Madison, Wis., in 2010.

Napolitano said the conference was a whirlwind of activity and that it was rewarding to see the conference participants flood campus and know that she helped make it happen.

“We really can do things to make this world better, even beyond BLGT issues,” Napolitano said.

Her goal was for a safe, fun and informative weekend, and that’s what happened, she said.

Bauder said the planning committee will meet to go over the participants’ evaluations and see what they can do better at IU.

“I feel privileged to work with these students on the planning committee,” Bauder said. “They will do great things.”