Midd Briefs MOQA Expects Openly Supportive 'Visability Week'

Author: Josh Carson

The unveiling of rainbow flags across campus on Monday marked the beginning of Visibility Week, sponsored by the Middlebury Open Queer Alliance (moqa). Events throughout the week aim to raise awareness of the oft-silenced voice of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (GLBTQ) community on campus.
On Wednesday, March 12, Stan Baker and State Representative Bill Lippert (D-Hinesburg), two men extremely influential in the debate leading up to the Civil Union Bill, will give a talk titled, "Politicizing the Personal: Reflections on Civil Unions." Rep. Lippert is the only openly-gay representative in the Vermont state legislature. He and Baker, of the Baker vs. Vermont civil union case, will explain what civil unions are, how they work and how they have changed the gay community.
On Thursday participating students will take a vow of silence "to symbolize the silence that is forced upon gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer people every day." Moqa encourages students to reflect on the voices they are not hearing and challenge themselves to end the silence and increase the visibility of the GLBTQ community.
A student-led discussion on Thursday evening, "Undressing Sexuality," will concentrate on the relationship between sexuality and diversity. Student speakers from many minority groups on campus will unite on common issues to promote understanding and acceptance of individual differences.
Jena Siegel '04, one of the event organizers, hopes Visibility Week will "educate the campus about gay issues and expose people to the reality of gay life in a way that is not alienating or abrasive, but one which is inclusive and informative."