The stories show that the families aren't that different.
By WILL HANLON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN — Twenty photographs and 20 stories of families line tables in the Presidential Suite in Kilcawley Center at Youngstown State University, all part of an exhibit designed to show that all people are, well, people.
This week, the touring exhibit "Love Makes a Family: Portraits of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People and their Families" is taking place on the YSU campus. The 20 family portraits and stories are all different in their own ways, yet still send the same message: That all families deserve support, protection and respect.
"It's not about who is in the family, but the fact that there is love is what makes it all about," said Jonelle Beatrice, the associate director of student life and the adviser for YSUnity.
Each photograph's story is told by different members of the family, from couples to their children to their parents, giving unique perspectives, from all angles and ages, that LGBT families aren't all that different.
"The presentation puts things into a real tangible perspective," said David Colts, chairman of the Pride Center of Greater Youngstown. "It shows the pluralism as well as the cultural mix of our society." Colts said as times are changing, these types of families are more so a part of the mainstream.
Educational
Brian Welles, coordinator for the Center of Student Progress, recalled an instance Monday that exemplifies what the exhibit is all about.
Welles said a mother came in with her two children, one of whom was a third-grade boy. According to Welles, the mother said her son made a comment earlier, saying that something was "gay." When the mother asked her son if he knew what that meant, the boy replied he thought it was just an insult. This provoked the mother to bring her children to the exhibit to show them what gay really was, Welles said.
Along with the photographs and stories, a notebook with signatures and comments follows the tour and is available at each location for people to look through and sign themselves. Signatures and comments go all the way back to October 2001. Comments range from "beautiful and necessary" to "Gay people rock!"
William Blake, the director of student diversity programs, dubbed the exhibit "a sociologist's greatest dream," saying it was a phenomenal display as well as very educational. "It sends out a message in a number of different ways. We're much more alike than we are unalike," Blake said.
Low turnout, so far
The exhibit was a little slow in terms of visitors, something Beatrice attributed to YSU being in summer session.
Nonetheless, those working the exhibit are still positive about people showing up.
"I really hope that students passing by stop in out of curiosity," said Chris Campf, president of YSUnity. Campf said the media usually projects negative connotations about the gay community; however, the exhibit does just the opposite. "It really busts some stereotypes and challenges people's opinions," Campf said.
The exhibit is beginning its six-week, seven-stop tour at YSU, and it will be traveling to Wooster next, followed by Hudson, Twinsburg, Westerville, Chillicothe and Granville.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
The stories show that the families aren't that different.
By WILL HANLON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN — Twenty photographs and 20 stories of families line tables in the Presidential Suite in Kilcawley Center at Youngstown State University, all part of an exhibit designed to show that all people are, well, people.
This week, the touring exhibit "Love Makes a Family: Portraits of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People and their Families" is taking place on the YSU campus. The 20 family portraits and stories are all different in their own ways, yet still send the same message: That all families deserve support, protection and respect.
"It's not about who is in the family, but the fact that there is love is what makes it all about," said Jonelle Beatrice, the associate director of student life and the adviser for YSUnity.
Each photograph's story is told by different members of the family, from couples to their children to their parents, giving unique perspectives, from all angles and ages, that LGBT families aren't all that different.
"The presentation puts things into a real tangible perspective," said David Colts, chairman of the Pride Center of Greater Youngstown. "It shows the pluralism as well as the cultural mix of our society." Colts said as times are changing, these types of families are more so a part of the mainstream.
Educational
Brian Welles, coordinator for the Center of Student Progress, recalled an instance Monday that exemplifies what the exhibit is all about.
Welles said a mother came in with her two children, one of whom was a third-grade boy. According to Welles, the mother said her son made a comment earlier, saying that something was "gay." When the mother asked her son if he knew what that meant, the boy replied he thought it was just an insult. This provoked the mother to bring her children to the exhibit to show them what gay really was, Welles said.
Along with the photographs and stories, a notebook with signatures and comments follows the tour and is available at each location for people to look through and sign themselves. Signatures and comments go all the way back to October 2001. Comments range from "beautiful and necessary" to "Gay people rock!"
William Blake, the director of student diversity programs, dubbed the exhibit "a sociologist's greatest dream," saying it was a phenomenal display as well as very educational. "It sends out a message in a number of different ways. We're much more alike than we are unalike," Blake said.
Low turnout, so far
The exhibit was a little slow in terms of visitors, something Beatrice attributed to YSU being in summer session.
Nonetheless, those working the exhibit are still positive about people showing up.
"I really hope that students passing by stop in out of curiosity," said Chris Campf, president of YSUnity. Campf said the media usually projects negative connotations about the gay community; however, the exhibit does just the opposite. "It really busts some stereotypes and challenges people's opinions," Campf said.
The exhibit is beginning its six-week, seven-stop tour at YSU, and it will be traveling to Wooster next, followed by Hudson, Twinsburg, Westerville, Chillicothe and Granville.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Twenty photographs and 20 stories of families line tables in the Presidential Suite in Kilcawley Center at Youngstown...
