Murray State University is getting closer to their 1st LGBT Resource Center

Members of Alliance

I never thought this would happen, but my alma mater is moving forward in a great way. The MSU President stated his support of a LGBT Resource Center at the university.

Here's more:

President Randy Dunn announced Wednesday an LGBT Resource Center is a University priority, but acquiring funds to provide it could prove challenging.

Dunn held a reception Wednesday night for Murray State’s Alliance and allies, or friends of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

This reception was the second of its kind for Alliance and was held at Oakhurst, the president’s home.

President Dunn kept it real with the audience about raising money for the center:

“Right now we’re trying to figure out a way to get the LGBT Center. Right now money is the biggest concern. Challenging times are ahead for the University.”

I hope former alums reach out and help them. Murray State was a struggle, but with the love and support from the LGBT community, I came out and had a successful experience. I also served as co-chair of Alliance, so to see how far they have come does my heart some good.

 I'm so proud of the students, staff and faculty that supports the LGBT student community at Murray State.

You guys are awesome!

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Supreme Court to hear case on Affirmative Action in College Admissions

Here we go again.

The Supreme Court will deal with Affirmative Action in university admissions. This is being put back on the table in an appeal from a white student who was denied a spot at University of Texas.

A new ruling could get rid of Affirmative Action is colleges.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Rick Santorum charges President Obama of 'Hubris' And 'Snobbery' for wanting Kids to go to College

In Manchester, N.H., Rick told some folks that Obama was WRONG to say all American kids should go to college. How dare Obama tell them that?

Rick said:

I was so outraged by the president of the United States for standing up and saying every child in America should go to college. Well who are you? Who are you to say that every child in America should [go to college]? I mean, the hubris of this president to think that he knows what's best. 

I have seven kids. Maybe they will all go to college. But if one of my kids wants to go and be an auto-mechanic, good for him. That's a good paying job: using your hands, using your mind. This is the kind of snobbery that we see from those who think they know how to run our lives. Rise up America, defend your own freedoms. And overthrow these folks who think they know how to orchestrate every aspect of your lives.

Yeah, Rick! Why would Obama want kids to dream big and get an education? That's so arrogant and prideful... Impeach Obama!

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In Mississippi: Sorority Girls dress up in Blackface as The Huxtables

For some reason racism in the deep South won't die, especially when it comes to BLACKFACE. This past weekend, 6 sorority girls dressed themselves in blackface and claimed to be the Huxtables from 'The Cosby Show'.

The USM Dean of Students Office said the six women, all members of Phi Mu sorority, dressed in blackface to depict themselves as the Huxtable family from “The Cosby Show,” as part of their participation in a 1980s-themed, off-campus costume party on Wednesday.

“Though it is clear that these women had no ill intent, it was also clear that they had little cultural awareness or competency, and did not understand the historical implication of costuming in blackface,” said Dean of Students Dr. Eddie Holloway.

The university is working with Phi Mu national sorority in response to the incident.“The conduct of these members in no way reflects the values and standards of Phi Mu Fraternity,” Phi Mu National President Kris Bridges said. “Our chapters are expected to abide by our policies and uphold a values-based culture. I am deeply disappointed by the actions of these members in their choice of costume for the social event.”

The girls are on probation and they will meet with the Black leaders on campus. The funny thing is, these girls claimed they had no idea about the meaning of blackface. I'm glad they were not in my office.

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College Students turn to 'Sugar Daddies' to pay off Debt

Wow, I guess times are really hard...

Madonna SEX book Memories

Do y'all remember Madonna's SEX book? I was just thinking about this the other day and how it was such a big deal.

Picture it... 1992. It was my first semester in college. My new geeky, gay friend Kelly just cashed his (late) student loan check at the bank. While we were walking around campus, he turned to me and said, "Before I buy ANYTHING for class or pay a bill, I have to get Madonna's book, TODAY!"

Kelly had tried to get the book in town, but because it was Murray, KY, it would be a miracle if he could get it within 6 months. So, Kelly called around Paducah, KY to see where he could find it. Within 2 hours, he learned that the book was at an adult bookstore called Tammy's.

So we jumped in his car and headed down to Paducah to the porn store. Now, this was our first time at the porn store, so we had no idea what to expect. As we entered the shop, we noticed the weird burnt plastic smell and the creepy guys looking at us. We were a little scared, but walked to the counter and asked for the book. I also bought one because I thought we were buying a piece of history (silly teens).

The next day we had a SEX book party. Our friends came over to Kelly's room and we watched 'Truth or Dare' and gawked over the pages of the book. I was all into Vanilla Ice (don't judge) and this page.

Over the years the book fell apart and I through it out before I graduated. But I have been thinking about finding it on eBay and adding it to my coffee book collection. I guess, it was a piece of history to me.

A Gay Frat sets up shop at IU

A Gay Fraternity will open its doors at Indiana University, taking in 15 members.

EDGE reports

Sigma Phi Beta, founded at Arizona State University, is poised to expand to Indiana University, where the fraternity’s first new members at another college will be inducted over the weekend. Indiana University "is home of the oldest and largest college fraternity
system," notes a Sigma Phi Beta press release from Nov. 10.

"Fifteen students at IU, which is home of the oldest and largest college fraternity system, will cross over into the Brotherhood of Sigma Phi Beta Fraternity Saturday if they successfully complete the organization’s initiation
ceremony," the release says.

"I look forward to welcoming the new members from the Indiana University
colony into our Brotherhood," Sigma Phi Beta national president Nathan Arrowsmith said. Arrowsmith will be present on the IU campus for the initiation of the new members on Nov. 13.

"The initiation of members at its first colony outside of Arizona is an important milestone for the fraternity, which prioritizes the core values of diversity, service, scholarship, leadership, and brotherhood," the release adds.

"Sigma Phi Beta Fraternity is organized for and by gay, straight, bisexual, and transgender men in college," text at the fraternity’s web site says. "We create a unique social and educational environment for our members within the traditional Greek fraternity system, while providing all open-minded men in college with career and character building opportunities." Adds the site’s text, "We embrace tradition while promoting positive change that moves us forward."

I hope they represent and truly be an open and accepting Frat. Our students need that.

Meet Kye Allums, the NCAA’s first Div. 1 Transgender basketball player

History is being made! Kye Allums is the 1st Transgender basketball player in NCAA. He plays for George Washington University:

Not many people noticed a slight change on the George Washington University website earlier this year. It concerned a player on the school’s women’s basketball team named Kay-Kay Allums. Just a couple letters were taken away, a Y was moved and an E was added to form the player’s new name: Kye Allums. To most people it was meaningless, but to Allums the change was the most significant of his lifetime.

“A name is just a bunch of letters, but the letters make up a word and the words that make up my name have so many more emotions behind them,” Allums said. "My old name, that’s just not me. When I hear Kye, everything feels okay, everything is right.”

For the last 20 years, Kay-Kay Allums had appeared to the world as female. She was born with the anatomy that other women have. Her mom tried to dress her in only the most feminine clothes. But inside was a man waiting to burst out of the female body he was born in.

On Nov. 13, Kye Allums will introduce himself to the NCAA basketball world at the Best Buy Classic in Minneapolis in a game against the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. When he steps foot on the court, Allums will be the first publicly transgender person to play NCAA Div. 1 college basketball. 

Good Luck, Kye. The fam will be routing for you.

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The 2 Rutgers Students have Withdrawn from School

The two Rutger students responsible for the suicide of Tyler Clementi's suicide, has withdrawn from school.

Steven Altman of New Brunswick, the attorney for Dharun Ravi, Clementi's roommate, said the withdrawals of Ravi of Plainsboro and his co-defendant Molly Wei of Princeton, both 18, mean neither face university disciplinary hearings.



"They were given the option of withdrawing and they can reapply,'' Altman said. "Realistically, they couldn't go back no matter what. He definitely plans to go somewhere else.''

Altman said both students withdrew earlier this month, but he did not have an exact date.

He was unable to comment on what Ravi has been doing since removing himself from school.
Withdrawal was raised as a possibility by university officials during phone conversations in early October, Altman said.

Their withdrawal sparked a group called, Queering the Air to protest:

The group also condemned comments made on several websites that mentioned the two students' Asian background and posted messages that urged the two to "return to their countries,'' according to Felton.

"We are against the crucifixion of two individuals for the sins of the larger society,'' said Robert O'Brien, an anthropology instructor and one of the leaders of Queering the Air.
According to Felton, the group, and other organizations on campus that represent gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students, have "re-claimed'' the word queer, once considered an offensive slur.
Among the chants led by O'Brien Wednesday night were, "Queer liberation. Human liberation. It's all one struggle.''

In a press release, the group condemned Garden State Equality, an advocacy group that demanded Ravi and Wei be charged with hate crimes and receive "the maximum possible sentence.''
Goldstein, the director of Garden State Equality, the largest advocacy organization in the state for gays and lesbians, called Queering the Air a "radical fringe group.''

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Flashback 1994: When I "pledged"

This pic here takes me back, waaaay back.

In 1994, I pledged the little brother organization of the Black Sorority, AKA. We were called Emerald Knights. For a month, we went through a lot of bonding, late night foolishness and overly-packed-like-sardines car rides.

This was a crazy experience, but it was worth it. It was all the "Frat" I needed. Plus, these guys are friends for life. Oh, I had a line name... I was Pretentious Knight.

UPDATE on Raymond Chase: JWU's Response

I wanted to update y'all on the latest loss to suicide, Raymond Chase. Over the the weekend, Johnson & Wales responded to the students about the incident:

Yesterday, the Vice President of Johnson & Wales, Ronald Martel emailed all students the following message, “Today I contact you with the deeply sad news of the passing of Raymond Chase, sophomore, 19, culinary arts major. The campus community is mourning the loss of this vibrant young man who leaves many JWU friends and teachers, and a loving family of Monticello, New York. Funeral arrangements are not available at this time. As we obtain more information that can be shared, we will do so. Ray’s JWU friends and the university are planning a memorial service for the campus community. Those details will be forthcoming”.

I will update everyone as soon as I get it.

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